Ok, I have noticed this a few times since takin over the focus, but my boyfriend never noticed it so I think I am doin somethin wrong here. I have noticed this weird smell with the heat running as I shift almost like a burning plastic sometimes nad then a couple other times almost like a wood burning smell. The burning wood smell finally happened the other day while my boyfriend was in the car with me, but had no idea what to tell me......Has anyone ever noticed these types of smells? The car has a few things that need repair....O2 sensors and the check engine light has been on forever, but he didn't think that these had anything to do with it. Thanks!!!!
I know its not the smell from outside coming in cuz when I get out of the car there is nothing like it, but get back in and crank the fan for the heat and it is overwhelming.
Last edited on Tue Mar 28th, 2006 08:41 pm by tekslilbrat
____________________ Lovin' My ZX3!!!! I finally gave it a name
SMKNS2!!!!
It could be as simple as a bad cabin air filter. If there not changed out at least once a year they will get mouldy and make the car smell funny when the heat or AC is on.
AHhh yesss! Welcome to Focus land - home of mysterious odors.
My guess is this: Due to faulty design/engineering, the defroster accumulates mildew. If you haven't run the defroster in a few days, when you turn it on you'll get a strange odor. Most folks describe this as "old socks that have been in a gym locker for a couple of months." At least that what mine smells like.
Good news! It can be fixed. Partial disassembly, cleaning and spraying with Lysol or similar will take care of the problem. Actually, it'll fix itself if you leave the def. on and drive long enough, (maybe 1/2 hour or more).
Bad News! The fix is only temporary. Regardless of what you do, the smell is likely to return.
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Yea, we are takin it there tomorrow after school or fri morn to have it hooked up. Local Ford dealer wants $100 and $50 to check rattling in suspension. We have the codes we got from the failure for my sticker.....which is either the cat or the sensors, but this smell is new so I wanna see if anything else comes up with it. He is gonna check the filter as well. Hopefully we can figure it out. I am going to Ford for the suspension prob cuz he can't figure it out. He has checked over everything and can't find the rattle. Ah well....Thanks
____________________ Lovin' My ZX3!!!! I finally gave it a name
SMKNS2!!!!
If the suspension noise is from the front and when going slow over bumps than its most likely your sway bar end links, About $30 in parts and 1hr tops for labor.
Well, fx3 and I have dealt w/ that junk too - I just had to have my psgr side cv axle replaced. fun fun!
I have to say, this is the MOST major issue I've had w/ one of my foci since I've owned them Late 2001. I'm on my 2nd one and my first one was new to me - not used. The ZX3 I have now is used (got it w/ 5555 miles on the odo).
I also have the mildew smell from the defrost and need to change my cabin air filter first to rule that out...then I'm moving onto cleaning the defroster - Ford has a chemical that they use when doing this and since I still have warranty you bet I'm going to have them do this for me. My other Focus, before the crase had the defrost 'fix' done 2 times and was due for a 3rd. It's just poor design as Mr. V mentioned.
Let us know how this goes for you and be careful what they're going to charge for that suspension rattle. shop around for pricing if you can unless there is still warranty.
Last edited on Thu Mar 30th, 2006 04:30 pm by Chelly03PZEV
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I will have my boyfriend check the sway bars before bringing anywhere else cuz he can fix all that stuff himself. Not sure if he checked those last oil change or not. Springs are stock....whole car is stock minus the radiowhich got stolen when the man had it so he put in an aftermarket one. Hopin he can figure all out this weekend so we can fix i once and for all and get a sticker......I wanna drive it fixed so I can maybe get some better gas mileage.......
____________________ Lovin' My ZX3!!!! I finally gave it a name
SMKNS2!!!!
You cannot visualy see the front sway bar end links as being good or bad. Its just if you hear a l=clunking or similar going slow over bumpes that its probably the end links. You also don't tend to hear the bad end links on the highway. If you hear the sound on thehighway it might not be the end links.
No It's mainly any bumpy road I drive down there is a rattling. I will have him replace them and see what happens. It can't hurt to rule it out. Thanks
____________________ Lovin' My ZX3!!!! I finally gave it a name
SMKNS2!!!!
It can be fixed. Partial disassembly, cleaning and spraying with Lysol or similar will take care of the problem. Actually, it'll fix itself if you leave the def. on and drive long enough, (maybe 1/2 hour or more).
The fix is only temporary. Regardless of what you do, the smell is likely to return.
