Spark plug - I'm really shocked this hasn't been recalled! Purchased this 2001 ford e-350 from the original owner who was a mechanic and kept all service records of this vehicle. It is in excellent condition. Had the van serviced and looked over before taking it on a longer trip. At 2 am and only after 5 hours of driving (all highway) we heard a loud bang followed by even louder rumbling and intense gas smell. This happened while driving and the van was in motion on the highway. We were able to exit the highway and wait until the morning. The next morning we took the engine apart and found the spark plug completely blown out of the engine. After buying the repair kit from the parts store and putting in a new spark plug we were able to limp our way home. Due to the force caused by the first spark plug being shot out, the engine now sounds like some other spark plugs are very loose and ready to go. Not sure the total damage until it can be repaired by a mechanic.
Ford E-350 fuel smell problems
12 of the 1,102 owner complaints about the Ford E-350 describe gas smell in the cabin, most of them for the 1997 model year.
- owner complaints
- 12
- worst model year
- 1997
- typical mileage
- 60,744
By model year
- 20161
- 20141
- 20091
- 20062
- 20022
- 20012
- 19972
- 19961
Often reported together
Engine failure 2Tire blowout 1Loss of power 1Fuel leak 1Fire or smoke 1
What owners say
The econoline van for the exhaust odor, when we first tested the vehicle in the shop with the vehicle running (no exhaust hose on the tailpipe) the co detector read 49 ppm after about 15 minutes. When we tested the second time, the vehicle was in the same spot but a exhaust hose run from the tailpipe to outside the shop and the co detector read 9 ppm after about 15 minutes. The third test, the vehicle was outside and after about 15 minutes the co detector read 0 ppm and we also tested in the utility body which read 0 ppm. We know that the vehicle is not leaking exhaust, any "exhaust odor" or co measured in the cabin of the vehicle is most likely from the exhaust surrounding the vehicle and entering through the porous utility body. *dt
Tl* the contact owns a 2014 ford e-350. The contact stated that fuel fumes emitted into the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic. The technician replaced the generator and on a different occasion the fuel venting system was lengthened. However, the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200.
Spark plug blow out of 5.4l engine causing gas fumes in passenger area.
On 03/15/11 spark plug #6 blew out of the head of engine causing a strong smell of gasoline. On 06/01/11 spark plug #3 blew out same odors resulted. Dealer rethreaded hole(s). Metal shavings could now be in the head of the engine causing more damage. Dealer says this is not a permanent repair and may happen again. This is a fire hazard. Gasoline could ignite causing a fire and/or impaired vision. [xxx]. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
After traveling 10 miles during my morning commute, while at 40 MPH, a spark plug ejected from my ford triton v8 engine causing raw fuel fumes to enter the engine compartment and passenger cabin. This has resulted in an estimated $1900 repair bill from my local ford dealer to remove and repair the plug threads for the ejected plug.
1997 ford e350 v-10 engine van blew out the number 4 spark plug. Loud popping sound followed by loss of power and strong fuel smell. Also had a neighbor with an f-150 that had same problem and truck burned to the ground in under 5 minutes.
Tl*the contact owns a 2006 ford e350. While driving 60 MPH the steering began vibrating and shaking. The road conditions were clear. The dealer balanced the tires. However; they were unable to diagnose the failure. Approximately 4 months later the dealer replaced the steering gear box and performed an alignment; which, did not correct the failure. Also, the contact smelled exhaust fumes inside the vehicle , and the dealer was unable to diagnose the cause. Approximately three months later the engine was replaced and the exhaust fumes became stronger after being repaired. The vehicle has not been inspected. When engaging the brake pedal it caused him to depress the accelerator pedal due to it extending to the floorboard. The contact was aware of the safety risk involved. The dealer was unable to diagnose the failure. The current and failure mileage were 9000.
Dt*: the contact stated while the vehicle is idling for five minutes or more blue smoke came from the exhaust and there is a strong exhaust odor. Upon initial acceleration the smoke dissipates. The dealership has replaced the engine turbo, the egr valve, the air flow sensor and put additive in the fuel tank. These repairs have not solved the problem.
I was driving my van when a very loud explosion occured. Pull over to side of road and shut off van. Exited van and smelled a strong gasoline odor. Open hood and found a spark plug & coil laying on top of engine! The spark plug just exploded out. This van was taken to dealer and the "heavy" tech said that this has happen before, because of lack of threads on engine head four to be exact. Ford recomends that the plug be change at 100,000 miles. This e350 van has 77,000 miles on it with the original plugs still in it. Ford has no current recall on this problem.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
- What is wrong
- Ford Motor Company (Ford) is recalling certain 2022-2023 E-350, E-450, and 2021-2022 F-59 vehicles. The paint along the weld seam of the fuel tank may peel and lead to corrosion of the exposed metal, which can result in a fuel leak.
- Risk
- A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the fuel tank and replace, if necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed on April 14, 2023. Owners may contact Ford customer service at 1‑866‑436‑7332. Ford's number for this recall is 22S76.
Recall number 22V925000 · Recall details
Fuel system, other: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Adrian Steel Company (Adrian) is recalling certain model year 2012 Ford E-150, E-250 and E-350 Commercial Cargo Vans modified by Adrian between September 21, 2012, to September 24, 2012. The affected vehicles are equipped with certain propane fuel system conversion kits with an aluminum fuel line fitting manufactured by Roush CleanTech. Due to a reaction between the different metals, the affected kits may develop a propane leak where the aluminum fuel line fitting contacts the brass supply valve housing.
- Risk
- A propane leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Adrian will notify owners, and dealers will replace the aluminum fuel line fittings with stainless steel fittings, free of charge. The recall began during July 2014. Owners may contact Adrian customer service at 1‑800‑677‑2726.
Recall number 14V501000 · Recall details
Fuel system, other: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Roush Performance Products, Inc. (Roush) is recalling certain model year 2010-2012 Ford E-150 Wagons and Cargo Vans, E-250 Cargo Vans and Extended Cargo Vans, E-350 Wagons, Extended Wagons, Cargo Vans, and Extended Vans, and E-450 Cutaway models. These models were modified by Roush to be equipped with certain propane fuel system conversion kits manufactured January 2011 to August 2012 with an aluminum fuel line fitting. Due to a reaction between the different metals, the affected kits may develop a propane leak where the aluminum fuel line fitting contacts the brass supply valve housing.
- Risk
- A propane leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Roush will notify owners and will replace the aluminum fuel line fittings with new stainless steel fittings, free of charge. The recall began on September 1, 2014. Owners may contact Roush customer service at 1‑800‑597‑6874.
Recall number 14V426000 · Recall details
Fuel system, other: storage
- What is wrong
- Landi Renzo USA is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Ford E-150, E-250, and E-350 vehicles modified January 2, 2011, through February 24, 2014 to operate on compressed natural gas (CNG). In the affected vehicles, the left and right rear brackets that support the rear CNG cylinder may fail, allowing the cylinder to dislodge from the vehicle.
- Risk
- If the cylinder dislodges, a CNG leak may result, increasing the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Landi Renzo USA will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the side arm brackets, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on March 27, 2014. Owners may contact Landi Renzo USA at 1‑855‑526‑3400.
Recall number 14V097000 · Recall details
Fuel system, other: fuel injection system
- What is wrong
- Roush is recalling certain model year 2009-2011 ford e-150, e-250, and e-350 5.4l engin vans/wagons/cutaways, and model year 2010-2011 ford e-450 6.8l engine cutaway vehicles altered by rouch to operate using the roush branded cleantech propane autogas fuel system. The fuel rails included in the kits contain improperly seated injector retention clips. This could result in leakage of propane autogas.
- Risk
- A propane leak in the presence of an ignition source can result in a fire.
- Remedy
- Roush will notify owners of the vehicles of which the kits were installed in order to arrange for free replacement of the injector retention clips. The safety recall began on september 26, 2011. Owners may contact roush at 1‑734‑466‑6255.
Recall number 11V450000 · Recall details
Fuel system, other: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- Roush performance products is recalling certain 2011 ford e-series vans equipped with 5.4 or 6.8 liter engines that have been altered by roush to operate using the roush liquid propane autogas fuel system. A valve in the system may have been mismachined allowing a propane leak.
- Risk
- A propane leak in the presence of an ignition source may result in a vehicle fire.
- Remedy
- Roush will replace the defective valve with a correctly machined one. All the affected vehicles have been repaired, therefore, an owner notification letter will not be issued for this campaign. Owners may contact roush at 1‑734‑466‑6255.
Recall number 11V307000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
- What is wrong
- Ford is recalling 65 my 2008-2009 e-350 and my 2009 e450 cutaway vehicles equipped with school bus prep packages for failing to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 301, "fuel system integrity." these vehicles may not have been assembled with the fuel tank protection brackets that are required for school bus applications.
- Risk
- In certain types of very severe crashes, the fuel tank may be damaged and result in a leak. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect for proper fuel tank protection bracket installation and install brackets free of charge. The recall began on june 26, 2009. Owners may contact ford at 1‑866‑436‑7332 or through the internet at www.ownerconnection.com.
Recall number 09V231000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: mounting
- What is wrong
- Ford motor company is recalling 429 my 2009 ford econoline e-350 and e-450 cutaway school bus prep package vehicles manufactured from april 22, 2008 through march 2, 2009, to reposition the upper fuel tank protection bracket on the frame rail.
- Risk
- In certain types of very severe crashes, the fuel tank may be damaged and result in a leak. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
- Remedy
- Ford will notify owners and dealers will reposition the upper fuel tank protection bracket free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before april 14, 2009. Owners may contact ford toll-free at 1‑866‑436‑7332 or contact a local ford or lincoln/mercury dealer for more information.
Recall number 09V112000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: fuel rail
- What is wrong
- Ford is recalling 57,199 my 2006-2007 e-150, e-250, e-350, and my 2007 expedition and lincoln navigator vehicles equipped with 5.4l engines. The fuel rail cross-over hose may contain weak areas. As a result, the hose may crack, which could cause a fuel odor and/or fuel leak.
- Risk
- Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the fuel rail assembly. The recall began on march 3, 2008. Owners may contact ford at 1‑800‑392‑3673.
Recall number 08V057000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
- What is wrong
- Vehicle description: on certain vans with ambulance prep packages or other severe-duty applications involving operation at or near the gross vehicle weight with frequent twisting of the vehicle body, such as off-road, rough road or speed bump events, the 35 gallon mid-ship fuel tank could develop a crack where it contacts the frame cross member. If the fuel tank cracks, fuel leakage could occur.
- Risk
- Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will inspect the fuel tank and, if cracked, will replace the tank. Insulator pads will be installed on all vehicles to reduce the stress levels in the fuel tank. Owner notification began april 19, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact ford at 1‑800‑392‑3673.
Recall number 01V114000 · Recall details
Questions about the Ford E-350 fuel smell
Which Ford E-350 years have gas smell in the cabin problems?
The model years with the most reports are 1997 (2 complaints), 2001 (2 complaints) and 2002 (2 complaints).
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