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Smoking on startup after sitting

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Points
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Location
64075
Vehicle
2020 ford explorer
I have a 2020 Explorer ST. On startup, smoke appears out of the exhaust, sometimes it is light, other times it is heavy smoke. I took to 2 different dealers and they said they could not replicate it and thus could not address. Has anyone else experienced this? I have attached 3 different videos showing what I'm talking about.
I too have a 2020 explorer platinum with only 9000 miles and it too smokes when I first start it after sitting and I can tell you that it's definitely oil smoke and I don't know anymore at this point until I investigate further!
 

Messages
297
Reactions
176
Points
37
Location
San Francisco
Vehicle
2022 ST
Can anyone contributing here, saying that they have startup smoke, update us on your environmentals?
- Park indoors or outdoors?
- Is there an overnight temperature variable? (Under 50*F overnightnight, smoke, but above 50*F overnight, no smoke)
- Park at an incline (grill up), or at a decline (grill downwards)?
- Park at an angle (driver's side higher than passenger, or vice versa)?
- ^ Following up - which exhaust pipe smokes, pass, driver, or both?
- What oil do you run?
- Have you found oil in your hot-side tubes? If so, how far up? (turbo outlet, hard plastic pipe, intercooler inlet, intercooler outlet)
 

Messages
281
Reactions
92
Points
27
Location
Desert South West
Vehicle
2023 Explorer ST
Can anyone contributing here, saying that they have startup smoke, update us on your environmentals?
- Park indoors or outdoors?
- Is there an overnight temperature variable? (Under 50*F overnightnight, smoke, but above 50*F overnight, no smoke)
- Park at an incline (grill up), or at a decline (grill downwards)?
- Park at an angle (driver's side higher than passenger, or vice versa)?
- ^ Following up - which exhaust pipe smokes, pass, driver, or both?
- What oil do you run?
- Have you found oil in your hot-side tubes? If so, how far up? (turbo outlet, hard plastic pipe, intercooler inlet, intercooler outlet)
What type of oil are you using? I found that synthetic blend leads to a smoother cold start up, at least with my ST.
 

way2far

New Member
Messages
23
Reactions
9
Points
2
Location
Tampa, FL.
Vehicle
2020 Explorer ST
Hey guys, thought I’d join the “club” here. Had the same issue. Showed a CEL. Have about 30k for reference.

Took to dealer. Had a faulty purge valve. Had it replaced. Hoping that was the source of the issue.

oil catch can was recommended. They can install at the dealer.
 

Fedup

New Member
Messages
1
Reactions
2
Points
1
Location
Illinois
Vehicle
2021 explorer st
Hello! My 21 st is in shop for this problem parked incline smoke out of exhaust immediately after start. But mine was using antifreeze. Currently motor is out and being dissembled because they found scoring on number 2 cylinder. Give update when i get it back. Probably trading it in. 50,000 miles
 

Messages
3
Reactions
4
Points
2
Location
Cleveland, Ohio
Vehicle
2022 Explorer Platinum
Mine goes to the dealer tonight for this. I have video of it. The blue smoke is most noticeable if the car sits for two days or more.
 

Messages
281
Reactions
92
Points
27
Location
Desert South West
Vehicle
2023 Explorer ST
Can any of this smoke been seen while sitting inside using the rear view mirrors?
 

Messages
281
Reactions
92
Points
27
Location
Desert South West
Vehicle
2023 Explorer ST
Well that’s when I first noticed it, I started up and saw the smoke roll by my window! I thought it’s not cold out why am I smoking?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Thanks, was just wondering if I needed to stand behind it and remote start in order to check for smoke.
 

Messages
3
Reactions
4
Points
2
Location
Cleveland, Ohio
Vehicle
2022 Explorer Platinum
The dealership has mine now for this. Found the passenger side turbo leaking oil. They're trying to verify the driver side turbo, too, but they say it's harder to get at. The car has to be on a slight incline (nose up) and not run for a couple of days. 2022 with 17,000 miles.
 

Messages
281
Reactions
92
Points
27
Location
Desert South West
Vehicle
2023 Explorer ST
thats going to be your best bet , thats what i did the next day i remote started and saw the smoke
Guess I'll add that to my monthly inspection routine.
 

Messages
190
Reactions
89
Points
27
Location
Sumner County TN
Vehicle
2025 Ford Explorer ST 400a
Condensation?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

way2far

New Member
Messages
23
Reactions
9
Points
2
Location
Tampa, FL.
Vehicle
2020 Explorer ST
Hey guys, thought I’d join the “club” here. Had the same issue. Showed a CEL. Have about 30k for reference.

Took to dealer. Had a faulty purge valve. Had it replaced. Hoping that was the source of the issue.

oil catch can was recommended. They can install at the dealer.
Another update. ST still smokes after sitting.

I keep buying Explorers because I really like them but this is getting nuts.
 

Messages
17
Reactions
25
Points
2
Location
Tampa FL
Vehicle
2022 Ford Explorer ST
I had same issue. It turned out to be oil leaking into both turbos.
Ford had to replace both of them which solved the problem.
 

Messages
3
Reactions
4
Points
2
Location
Cleveland, Ohio
Vehicle
2022 Explorer Platinum
UPDATE: both turbos were replaced under warranty. I'm supposed to pick it up today.
 

Messages
4
Reactions
1
Points
1
Location
Reston, VA, USA
I wonder if this is something that should be reported to the EPA? Perhaps then Ford might be more inclined to fix the issue instead of giving customers the run around.
 

Messages
38
Reactions
23
Points
2
Location
Katy, TX
Vehicle
2020 Explorer ST
Same problem on my 2020 ST. For those of you that had the turbos replaced, did Ford cover this for you under warranty, or did you have to pay out of pocket? Trying to determine if I should even bother or just trade in.
 

Elhotdog

New Member
Messages
1
Reactions
0
Points
1
Location
Miami
Vehicle
Explorer 2022 ST
Had same issue took it to dealer, first they replaced the upper engine block but after picking it up it still smoked so I brought it in again and they replaced both turbos all under warranty. Ford explorer st 22’
 

Messages
38
Reactions
23
Points
2
Location
Katy, TX
Vehicle
2020 Explorer ST
anyone have the cost to replace the turbos if out of warranty?
 

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531
Points
82
Location
East Freetown, MA
Vehicle
2020 Explorer ST, Silver Spruce Metalic
You can expect to pay between $2,000 and $3,500 depending on your location.
 

Messages
38
Reactions
23
Points
2
Location
Katy, TX
Vehicle
2020 Explorer ST
You can expect to pay between $2,000 and $3,500 depending on your location.
Thanks! Looks like the turbos are currently on sale for $366 each plus core charge (obviously doesn't include labor). I can get an extended warranty for approx $1200, so may just do that.
 

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