2015 F-250 burnt rubber odor
 

The dealer is stumped. I have a 2015 F250 XLT 4X4 super cab with a 6.7 under the hood. It has less than 5K miles. It replaced a 2012 F-250 that was destroyed by a Kia with an attitude. After driving about 25 miles to work (30 to 45 min), I back into a parking space and when I get out there is the smell of burnt rubber or maybe a coating burning off of a new part that seems to come from near the driver side rear wheel. The odor only last for a minute but this happens every morning. I mentioned it to the local dealer (Woody Anderson Ford in Huntsville, AL) and they said any new part smells should be gone before I hit 1,000 miles. It seldom happens when driving forward but the smell is always there after I have gone in reverse. I do not smell it inside the cab but only after I have gotten out. No warning lights come on, there is no visible smoke, and the truck seems to run fine. And no the emergency brake is not on. Also my fuel mileage is about 15mpg but the 2012 got 18mpg with the same size truck and engine. Could the brake be dragging?? I expect it to see flames coming from under the truck soon. I have taken to parking away from other vehicles when I go somewhere.

Sure, you may have a dragging brake, I did. Carefully feel the wheels for differences in temperature.

Get your hands on one of those point and shoot rf temperature guns. They're pretty cheap nowadays and very handy for finding hot parts. I even record the blade spindle temps on my tractor to see when they need fresh lube.

Sticky calipers happen, the exhaust systems on these trucks make funny smells, and there are lots of things that could make that smell if they touch the exhaust system anywhere under the truck.

Does the transmission temp get real hot when you go in reverse for a while? I'd try driving a good distance in reverse with the temp display on your dash and see if there's a big change.

My 2015 did this for the first time this morning backing into my parking spot at work. I know it was in regen since I saw the notification come up about 10 minutes before I got to work. I parked and let it idle for a couple of minutes to help cool down the exhaust a little. I'm not too concerned as my 2011 did the same thing for 48k miles.

Hi BIG EOD Johnson,

I responded to your other post as well, but I wanted to make sure I reached out to you here, too. Send me your information in a PM so I can escalate this to your regional customer service manager. I'll need your full name, best daytime phone number, VIN, current mileage, and servicing dealership.

Crystal

I do get the exhaust cleaning notice on the way to work but that is normally about 15 minutes from work. I guess it could be that but the 2012 did not have the smell. I will try the temp gun idea.

I've had the Burnt Rubber smell a few times....usually after embarrasing some kid in a rice burner at the red light!<IMG style="CURSOR: hand" id=vB_Editor_001_smilie_30 class=inlineimg title="Evil Grin" border=0 alt="}>" src="http://images.ford-trucks.com/forums/images/smilies2/evilgrin0007.gif" unselectable="on" editorid="vB_Editor_001">


J / K ....mine had a weird smell the first 1K or so miles, not sure it was a burnt rubber smell. This is my first Diesel though and just figured it was something during the break in process, haven't noticed anything in quite sometime.

As far as the breaks, the first 500 or so miles I noticed if you stood on the brakes hard, it would pull to the left really bad, was going to take it in but it got progressively better then went away. Never smelled the "burnt brake" smell so I don't figure any of the brakes were sticking.

The truck has 3700 and some change on it now, no issues whatsoever.

I had a new vehicle once that had a dragging brake. First joy ride off the lot it felt a little strange but with a 454 under the hood the dragging brake had no chance. Had to get it towed with KM's not reading into the 100s.

Outcome?
 

Hello,

Did you discover the source of the smell?

I just purchased a 250 6.7L that has a horrible smell that started yesterday. Milage is under 300 and one tank of fuel has not been burned out. I smell in the cab like burning plastic.

Thanks

I have a 2015 250 6.7 liter also, I have had the same burning rubber smell on three occasions, I have 1000 miles on her....anyone ??????

Probably the coating burning off of the exhaust during and after a regen. It will likely go away eventually. I used to smell that as well for a while after I bought my truck.

Welcome aboard. We really like pictures of trucks around here, so post some up when you can!

Same here. Mine quit about 1500 miles. Not to worry.;)

I have had the same smell once with my 2015. Came right after a regen that started right before parking. Haven't smelt it since.

3700 miles on my 2015 now... I still get the smell if I park after a regen just completed. Never reall noticed the smell on my 2011's (I had 3).

At one point I thought I had a dragging brake too as my mileage is lower like the OP stated. What I have found is that the regen strategy is different in the 2015 than in the 2011. The 2015 the regen lasts longer which means you have more of an chance of interrupting it for it to start again. I got caught in a regen loop and was getting 9.5 mph for a bit. THe 2011 would go into regen sooner and end quicker.

I noticed the burning rubber smell on the weekend when I parked after an hour drive. Could smell it by sticking my head into the rear wheel wells. I'm thinking it was just finishing a regen when I parked it. Never smelled it before.