Gas Brands and Sulfur Smell

[alaskaman]

Here's my "technique".

fill when at about 1 gallon left.
run with rear and side windows open
off and on gas. frequent stops. heavy acceleration.

results so far:

Shell no smell
Arco one faint smell

next weeks off brand 49er travel plaza
Chevron
Union 76

 

[G.I.G.]

Good to know, thanks for following up from your original post re the sulfur smell. We don't have Arco here in CO, but might have to give a couple tanks of Shell a try.

 

[eskimochaos]

Here's my "technique".

fill when at about 1 gallon left.
run with rear and side windows open
off and on gas. frequent stops. heavy acceleration.

results so far:

Shell no smell
Arco one faint smell

next weeks off brand 49er travel plaza
Chevron
Union 76

x2 with shell.

Running 93 V-Power and Exxon 93 all summer....no stinkies from me

 

[toto]

I run BP all the time. It's generally fine in the summer, but in winter the is smell noticable now and then from outside the car. Don't know if that's due to the winter gas formula or the cold air (gas is slightly harder to burn in the cold, and engine isn't as warm after a short trip).

 

[alaskaman]

That would make sense to me about the winter. I am returning to AK and will have to keep that in mind. Appreciate the discussion here.

 

[alaskaman]

going with an off brand today (49er plaza at West El Camino in Sac). will apply the same devoutly scientific criteria for sulfur smell.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Is it stinky yet?

:cheers:

 

[alaskaman]

so far the 49er off brand gas has done well. there was one occasion where the sulfur odor was present but not as overwhelming as typically presents. Chevron gas is next.

 

[CJ3Flyr]

I'll be very curious to see if your results vary seasonally. Eg., Arco smells in the summer but works great in the winter or Shell stinks in the winter...

:cheers:

 

[Uneek]

Alaskaman,

I know you're in NorCal, so probably same gas from same refineries... when do you notice the sulfur smell?

I've never noticed this infamous sulfer smell on mine. (My only Toyota that had it was my Camry, but it was gone after the first 50-100 miles.) I've driven with the rear window down a couple times here and there. I've pumped Shell, Costco, 76 and Valero in mine. Granted, I usually pump when I have 1/4 to 1/2 left, so I can't really isolate a brand. Only pump 87 BTW.

 

[alaskaman]

Filled with Chevron today.

Results so far. Same pattern of commute driving 80% freeway.

Shell. zero odor
Arco. zero odor
off brand. whiffs of sulfur.
Chevron. pending
Union 76. next.

 

[alaskaman]

Chevron results

I have been using Chevron gas this past week. so far I have had one sulfur smell incident.

 

[alaskaman]

Alaskaman,

I know you're in NorCal, so probably same gas from same refineries... when do you notice the sulfur smell?

I've never noticed this infamous sulfer smell on mine. (My only Toyota that had it was my Camry, but it was gone after the first 50-100 miles.) I've driven with the rear window down a couple times here and there. I've pumped Shell, Costco, 76 and Valero in mine. Granted, I usually pump when I have 1/4 to 1/2 left, so I can't really isolate a brand. Only pump 87 BTW.

I notice the smell when accelerating especially accelerating up a moderate hill. the worst was coming out of SLC on our trip x country. we stoped at an off brand station and man we had a few episodes........since starting this experiment only Chevron has had a clear sulfur smell with an off brand just a whiff.

 

[alaskaman]

Update:

I decided to use another tank of Chevron from another dealer since it was the only brand which had an odor. Then I realized that close to my house there is a "canal" which due to the very hot summer has been just sitting stagnant H20. I drove over the canal again and really could not tell but I thought that I smelled the sulfur smell at that location and no where else........so the Chevron got another chance.

This past week on Chevron I have not had a strong sulfur smell.

Union 76 coming up next week.

 

[alaskaman]

Final Results Sulfur Smell

I have no idea what produces the sulfur smell. Big Whoop huh???I have had it only a couple times since I started the study. Far to few to draw any conclusions. I would say that my only conclusions is that off brand gas may contribute to the problem.:happens:

 

[CJ3Flyr]

Re: Final Results Sulfur Smell

I have no idea what produces the sulfur smell. Big Whoop huh???I have had it only a couple times since I started the study. Far to few to draw any conclusions. I would say that my only conclusions is that off brand gas may contribute to the problem.:happens:

Excellent try! :bigok: Thank-you.

I have been following this one too. I'm tempted to give HCF removal a try. For me it's such a minor issue I'll probably leave it alone... Too lazy:bash: http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?threadid=40340

 

[andyman32392]

I ran my car through high acceleration and ran on top speed and now i no longer smell the sulfur smell, also I use Exxon 83.:biggrin2:

 

[chayos00]

I get the horrible sulfur smell all the time. Usually its when, of course the back window is down, I'll get it accelerating to freeway speed up the on ramp, also when passing vehicles on the road I take to work. Which is up hill going 55 mph.

I use fuel from Fry's (it's a grocery store). I see the Flying J tanker refilling them.


"andyman32392 - I ran my car through high acceleration and ran on top speed and now i no longer smell the sulfur smell, also I use Exxon 83."

Andyman - what exactly did you do so I can try the same thing, if it got rid of your sulfur smell, I'd love to hear how it was done so I can do the same?!

 

[andyman32392]

I just drove with a heavy foot (high speeds and near redline accel) for a while, also you could try using exxon, one of those two things did the trick