Full-throttle sulphur

[PWRHungry]

Hey guys,

When I punch it in my V8 SR5 I get fairly strong sulphur odor in the cabin. I generally assume this to be a catalytic converter action causing the smell, but am fairly certain I shouldn't be routinely smelling this when hitting the gas.

Could this be a new-car thing? Bad gas?

1800 miles so far, btw.

 

[Thai]

There has been much discussion about this "sulfur smell" on other boards. Basically, Toyota claims that this is from the quality of gas you put in your truck. In other words, try a different gas station/brand. Or move to California (stricter gas/emission control), where very few owners (if any) have this problem. Toyota also advise to be more mellow in your driving habits (avoid hard acceleration).

For more info, please see this link:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=393

Thanks.

 

[PWRHungry]

The first quirk, cool!


Thanks for the info - I'll just pay attention to what brands stink least from now on

 

[scottp999]

Nice to know but man, I like to ride around with the back window down on hot sunny days and the smell flows in there even without 'hard' acceleration.

 

[PWRHungry]

Interesting that it happens with either engine

I notice much more of the stink now that I'm trying a tank of 89 octane fuel. I think I'll default to premium for the time being...

 

[webshot]

In regaurds to driving around with your back window open all the time, the user manual clearly states that you should not do this. As far as the smell goes, I always run Chevron premium and have never had the sulfer smell.

 

[palwine]

Huh??? Owners manual saying you shouldn't ride around with the back window down?? Why not? The back window kicks! I hardly need to use A/C because of it.

 

[Dream Theater]

Huh??? Owners manual saying you shouldn't ride around with the back window down?? Why not? The back window kicks! I hardly need to use A/C because of it.

When you drive with the rear window down there's a reverse draft that can basically blow the exhaust fumes into the cabin (hence the strong sulphur smell when it's down). Obviously breathing these fumes is not good.

 

[Neech]

I asked about the smell last oil change and they couldn't recreate it. Luck for them, my god what a stench! Anyway, he was going to look into service bulletins and get back to me.

So why can't we drive with the window down?? Will it break or is it cuz of the smell?

 

[webshot]

Well since exaust gases are color-less and odor-less (with exception to the smelly Toyota) they could easily blow back into the cab through the rear window and kill you I guess. I think Toyota puts the comment in the manual to cover their butts! Of course there are hundreds of people every year that try to kill themselves with there cars exaust gases while having their gargage door closed.

If your driving with your back window open and you start to feel really sleepy.....


;-)