So I have a 2003 and I have been noticing that after I make my 15 mile trip home on the highway after work. It seems like there's a burning smell coming from under the hood. I have checked all the fluids and everything seems good to go. But not sure any help??

 

Twice in 3 years I used my E-brake to park on a hill. Both times I ended up driving around with the E-Brake down thinking something is burning b/c the brake light on my dash doesnt light up. That's just my dumb story...

 

I was thinking about flushing out the coolant

 

I guess it wouldn't hurt to flush the coolant, what does that have to do with the burning smell? Is it leaking coolant?

The most likely culprit is a weeping head gasket on the passenger side. A very small amount of oil is hitting the exhaust manifold. It happened to my truck and several others on these boards. It is not limited to just Lightnings it occurs to quite a few 4.6 's as well as 5.4 's. I think there is a Ford TSB on this because my head gaskets were replaced under warranty.

Mine would leak more when I would do a couple of WOT's just before parking in the garage. I raised the hood an could smell hot oil. I could not see it though. You would have to be under the truck with a mirror looking at the head and block joint area above the starter to see it. I could touch it with my finger and pick up oil from that area.

Hopefully this is not your problem, but it is a high possibility.

 

Does it smell like hot coolent, burning oil, or electrical?

 

This almost sounds like what the problem is with a couple of WOT just berfore parking in the garage and there it is. So what would be the course of action to get it fixed. my l is 03 with 39,000 miles

 

Do you have the extended warranty? If so, take it (big gulp) to you trusted Ford dealer and they should fix it.

If no warranty, take it easy on the WOT's until you can save up the cash to get the new head gasket installed. If you drive it easy, no telling how far it will go. What will happen is it will tell you when it is time to get it fixed when it starts leaving a pool of oil where you park.

Not sure what the going price is for one head off/on, but one of our local L's (03) had it done by his tuner for around $850.00

Just double check the back of the passenger side head and look at the bell housing to see if there are oil tracks, if so, I am afraid you are stuck.

Good luck

 

Thanks for the info but can you be a little more detailed on were I should be looking not excatly to knowledgeable on were to look thanks again

 

If you have a way to jack up the truck, put it on jack stands or take to someone with a lift. While it is up, use a drop light/flashlight to illuminate the area where the head meets the block on the right rear portion of the passenger side of the vehicle. You will see the starter and exhaust pipe, it may require a small mirror to see that area. If you can fit your hand in that area, rub lightly with a finger on the area just below the head using a rag. If it comes out with oil smudge, you got it. Also look at the front edge of the bellhousing where it attaches to the block, there should also be traces of an oil path.

That is about as good as I can explain it. If you don't get it yet, print this out and take it to a repair shop, I am sure they could check it for you.

 

When you check for the bad head gasket, also check your valve cover. I thought my truck had the head gasket problem on the passenger side. But tightened the valve cover, and the leak went away.

 

This is an awesome story. You brighten up my day with it's glorious presentation!

 

Does the smell resemble the smell of a hot flourescent light ballast? This was the smell that I got off of mine. Finally I got a SES light. Went to Auto Zone and they checked the alternator and it was not putting out a charge. Luckily I have a friend who rebuilds alternators. He found the bearing went bad in the alternator. It boiled out the grease and shorted it out.
Might want to give the Auto Zone thing a try.
Good Luck

 

I agree with FireGuy.........Aft passenger head leaks a little oil under load and it gets on the exhaust and smells.

Just slide under your truck to see if ther is oil on the engine and trans... you will see oil on the starter. Check where you park your truck and see if there is a "quarter size" spot of oil present. It could be a very small leak. It will not hurt performance and it may stop and restart. I wouldnt do anything about it unless it becomes a big leak.