I have a 98 F150 , with a 5.4L and E4OD. I've noticed a funny smell lately after I get out of my truck. I dont know if anyone has ever smelt what a gas powered remote control car exhaust smells like, but its exactly the same smell thats coming from underneath my truck. I dont know if it's my transmission or engine or what? Could it be burnt trans fluid?

 

Hey! welcome. You should check your exhaust lines for deceased rodents. That might cause the smell you described. J/K
Actually, I don't have a clue what that smell might be. Just hang tight there are many brilliant people on this sight, and I'm sure they will give it their best shot!

 

lol, its not that bad of a smell. the only way i can describe the smell is that its a sweet smelling odor but kinda burnt. i just wanna know what it is before i get stranded.

 

It could be antifreeze leaking onto the exhaust. I think it has a habit of leaking on the right side towards the rear of the engine.

Good luck,
Mike

 

When I seen this , I had a funny thought come to mind. Nothing against you Spray, BUT, does anyone else find it funny that someone using the name Spray, would be complaining about a smell?

Sorry Spray, just couldn't resist.

 

I had an antifreeze leak on my expi that was dripping onto the exhaust that smelled just like you described. My leak was in the lines leading to the rear heater/ac unit that ran through on the passenger side. You don't have that on the f-150 but there are other hoses that run through there. You can look around on the passenger side and try looking for a yellowish liquid pooling or dripping anywhere. On mine you couldn't see where it was coming from exactly but you could see where it sprayed and dripped when the engine got hot.

You can also do a search on antifreeze/coolant leaks on the forums here and there should be more info that might more closely aply to your situation.

Keep an eye on all your fluid levels in the mean time. Hope this helps.

 

check the hose connection that is famous for leaking on the back pass side coil on the 5.4's. it could be dripping ever so slightly down onto the exhaust manifold.

or it could be the head gasket. mine is seapping just enough oil to get on the manifold so my truck stinks. but none reaches the ground and the level doesn't drop between oil changes.

 

bad cats smell like rotten eggs ive heard

 

I havent noticed any coolant leaks on the ground here lately. I did notice the other day when I pulled my oil cap off, that it was covered in white goo because water had gotten around it. I checked my oil and it is black, so I'm guessing a little moisture got underneath the cap.

 

I don't think the antifreeze makes it to the ground. It gets burned off first.

Mike

 

but what about when its not running? it could still leak then

 

There is no pressure on the system when the engine is not running. It starts losing pressure as soon as you shut it off and is all the way bled down when the engine is cool.

Check out that hose. I bet it is your problem.

Mike

 

you know you really dont need to look into this any farther the truck is bunk and you need to sell it. take the first offer you get and run with a smile. ill give you 2000. sounds good. ok

 

one more interesting thing spray. did you notice your last two postings were exaclty 12 hours apart. what in the heck are the odds of that. call me when you want to make thi deal

 

the white stuff in your oil cap is normal its just condensation from the crank case trying to escape. Chekc your heater and raidiator hoses for leaks on the manifolds and other places that get hot and could cause this smell.