2015 Ford F-450 6.7L - Exhaust Smell in Cab
Top of the 6.7L
Affiliate Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com.
Here is a list of tools I use every day at the shop. Let me know if you use them too in the comments!
General information: This customer stated that their diesel Ford F-450 was starting to smell like exhaust inside the truck. Smelling exhaust inside the cab is never a good thing. It could cause serious health issues.
First Thoughts: I don’t work on a lot of diesel vehicles, but I have worked on the Ford 6.7L. We have some fleet vehicles that come to the shop with this engine in them. Luckily, I have a little experience with how the exhaust pipe runs in the engines. I have replaced a turbo on a Ford 6.7L which is directly connected to the exhaust. Also you can see from the above picture that there isn’t much room with these engines.
Diagnostics: I wasn’t exactly sure where the exhaust was leaking from just yet. The first thing I wanted to do was inspect the exhaust pipes on back of the engine. To be able to do that, I had to take the intake off.
Top of the turbo, with the right bank exhaust going into the turbo.
With the intake off, I was able to see the turbo pipes and the turbo downpipe. On this design, there are two pipes coming from each bank of the engine into the turbo to spin the turbine in the turbo. In the picture above, you can see the right bank exhaust pipe that goes into the turbo. You can also see the clamp for the turbo downpipe underneath the clamp for the right bank exhaust pipe. The turbo downpipe allows the exhaust that has passed through the turbo to finish its way through the exhaust pipes underneath the vehicle.
Note: those clamps are a pain to take off. I used a chisel and hammer.
I decided to inspect the right bank exhaust pipe by taking it off and checking for holes in it and the gasket. I was mainly looking for huge black marks where exhaust was leaking out. There were none on the right bank exhaust pipe.
Next, I wanted to take apart the left bank exhaust pipe, but the turbo downpipe was in the way. So I took it out.
Turbo Downpipe - Black area near the middle clamp is the leak
And to my surprise, I found the exhaust leak.
The turbo downpipe was the culprit. Apparently, it is a common problem. The clamp in the middle of the pipe has a gasket that weakens and starts to allow exhaust to pass through.
After replacing the gasket clamp, no more exhaust smell!
Disclaimer and Disclosure:
Due to factors beyond the control of DiagnosticMechanic.com, it cannot guarantee against unauthorized modifications of this information, or improper use of this information. DiagnosticMechanic.com assumes no liability for property damage or injury incurred as a result of any of the information contained in this website. DiagnosticMechanic.com recommends safe practices when working with power tools, automotive lifts, lifting tools, jack stands, electrical equipment, blunt instruments, chemicals, lubricants, or any other tools or equipment seen or implied in this website. Due to factors beyond the control of DiagnosticMechanic.com, no information contained in this website shall create any express or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. Any injury, damage or loss that may result from improper use of these tools, equipment, or the information contained in this website is the sole responsibility of the user and not DiagnosticMechanic.com.
DiagnosticMechanic.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. In many of our case studies, articles, and tool reviews, we may earn a small commission when readers purchase products through our links.