Exhaust Odor in the Vehicle – 2009-2014 Ford Flex

EXHAUST – SULFUR ODOR AFTER HARD ACCELERATION

 

FORD:

2009-2014 Flex

 

2009-2014 Flex vehicles may exhibit an exhaust odor in the vehicle with the auxiliary climate control system on.

This may be more pronounced after hard acceleration or driving in hilly conditions.

Customers may indicate the odor smells like sulfur.

 

SERVICE PROCEDURE

1. Remove the rear bumper cover.
2. Inspect the attachment points on the bumper cover. Does foam surround the attachment points? (Figure 1)
   1. Yes – proceed to Step 3.
   2. No – install foam around the missing attachment point locations. Proceed to Step 3.

Figure 1

 

3. Replace the left side upper / rear air extractor. (Figure 2)

Figure 2

 

4. Is the vehicle a 2012 – 2014 Flex?
   
   
   
   1. Yes – proceed to Step 5.
   
   
   
   2. No – replace both lower / forward air extractors. Proceed to Step 5. (Figure 3)
   
   
   
   
   

    

Figure 3

 

5. Remove the liftgate release switch moulding.
6. Install foam from the Rotunda Squeak and Rattle Repair Kit (164-R4901) around the liftgate release switch moulding opening on the liftgate. (Figure 4)

Figure 4

 

7. Install the liftgate release switch moulding.
8. Install foam from the Rotunda Squeak and Rattle Repair Kit (164-R4901) around the four (4) tail lamp assembly attachment holes. Cut pieces large enough to fully cover the attachment point. (Figure 5)

Figure 5

 

9. Open the liftgate and install a new drain valve in each of the three (3) drain holes. (Figure 6)

Figure 6

 

10. Raise the vehicle on hoist.
11. Lower and support the rear section of the exhaust system.
12. Clean the areas on the underside of the vehicle where seam sealer will be applied. (Figures 7-9)

Figure 7

 

Figure 8

 

Figure 9

 

13. Cover the exhaust system and auxiliary climate control drain.
14. Apply a generous amount of Motorcraft Seam Sealer to the rear horizontal sheet metal lap joints on the left and right sides of the vehicle, and the rear sheet metal overlap flange across the rear of the vehicle. (Figures 7-9)
15. Spray a generous amount of 3M Rubberized Undercoating around auxiliary the air conditioning lines and seam sealer areas. (Figure 10)

Figure 10

 

16. Install the rear exhaust system.
17. Install the rear bumper cover.

 

Obtain Parts Locally
Part Number	Part Name
08883 Sale 3M Rubberized Undercoating Aerosol Spray, 08883, 19.7 oz, Textured Finish, Anti-Corrosive, Multi-Purpose for Automotive Cars, Trucks, and Recreational Vehicles Black MULTI-PURPOSE: Non-paintable spray may be applied to cars, trucks, vans, and recreational vehicles NOISE REDUCING: Helps reduce road noise with its sound dampening properties ANTI-CORROSIVE COATING: Protects vehicle undercarriage from rust and abrasion with anti-corrosive coating SPRAY ON: The aerosol dispenser allows for easy spray-on application TEXTURED FINISH: Provides a consistent appearance with a medium to coarse textured finish $26.09 −$5.10 $20.99 Buy on Amazon Price incl. tax, excl. shipping Last update on 2026-06-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API	3M Rubberized Undercoating
164-R4901	Foam – Rotunda Squeak And Rattle Repair Kit

 

AL2Z-61280B62-A Genuine Ford AL2Z-61280B62-A Air Inlet Grille Genuine OEM Replacement Part Country of Origin : China Package Dimensions: 12.0 L x 9.0 W x 6.0 H (inches) Package Weight: 3.0 pounds $54.74 Buy on Amazon Price incl. tax, excl. shipping Last update on 2026-06-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API	Grille – Air Inlet (Forward/Lower) (2 Req)
DA8Z-78280B62-A	Grille – Air Inlet (Rear/Upper)
4M8Z-54280B62-A Ford Valve ASY - AUT Geniune OEM part $17.95 Buy on Amazon Price incl. tax, excl. shipping Last update on 2026-06-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API	Valve Assembly Auto Drain (3 Req)
TA-2 Genuine Ford Fluid TA-2 Seam Sealer - 10.3 oz. Fast-curing; permanently flexible Excellent bond strength; paintable in 10 minutes Will not shrink, crack or peel; bonds to all primed or painted metals, and most automotive plastics Heavy bodied, non-sag formula; immediately bakeable Typical applications include: standing cosmetic seams, truck bed seams, tooled door skin seams, floor pans, core supports $43.42 Buy on Amazon Price incl. tax, excl. shipping Last update on 2026-06-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API	Motorcraft Seam Sealer

 

Last update on 2026-06-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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Last update on 2026-06-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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Last update on 2026-06-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

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