Is There a Lawyer In The House?

GalacticRunner said:
I don't see the need for litigation. I guess it just depends on your dealer. Mine did the service for the sulfur smell, the 2003 TSB even though my 2004 did not fall in the VIN pool. Stated its a volutary thing with Toyota agreeing to fix problem if customer complains and dealer observes it.

Since my catalitic converters were replaced and the ECU re-programmed my runner is a little peppier and fuel mileage is up from 17 to 19 mpg (this is actual math, not the truck computer) it has been only 2 tanks though so far.

As for the smell, since my service it is totally gone. Try a different dealer, maybe you'll get one with common sense who will do the right thing.

Pete
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Honestly, I don't think legal action is the way to go, but I have a problem letting ANY manufacture think they can turn their back on their customers.

Have you opened the rear window and used full throttle since the TBS was installed? I have a 05 that has the same problem the 03 has had so I don't see how anyone could have had theirs fixed.

Koz
 
GYoter said:
Mine has never had the sulfur smell, so clearly every 4runner does NOT have this problem. I drive with the back window down occasionally and have stood right behind the exhaust hooking up trailers, never once smelled even a hint of sulfur. I find it hard to believe that I am the only one to not have to deal with this.
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Again, have you opened the rear window and used full throttle untill it shifts to the next gear? I thought I didn't have this problem until I did this.

Koz
 
I heard of one our Forum members dealerships offer to install a Borla exhaust on his sulfur 4Runner. I wonder if this would be a fix that might be accepted by Toyota through a tsb?
 
Koz, you have too much time on your hands. If the sulfur smell bothers you that bad trade the 4runner in for an explorer. That will really show toyota you mean business. lol
 
jonus4runner said:
Koz, you have too much time on your hands. If the sulfur smell bothers you that bad trade the 4runner in for an explorer. That will really show toyota you mean business. lol
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It's not the smell that bothers me as much as Toyota's (and all the other manufactures) attitude about making believe there's no problem and/or wasting customers time with silly TBSs that they know are just pacifiers/bandaids, so they don't have spend the money to fix the problem.

Trade in the 4Runner, I'm not stupid!

I'm Done!

Koz
 
GYoter said:
Mine has never had the sulfur smell, so clearly every 4runner does NOT have this problem. I drive with the back window down occasionally and have stood right behind the exhaust hooking up trailers, never once smelled even a hint of sulfur. I find it hard to believe that I am the only one to not have to deal with this.
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Since I have purchased my 2004 4Runner 4 months ago I also have not experienced this problem. I also have stood behind my 4Runner while hooking up and moving my enclosed trailer and driven with the rear window down occassionally and did experience this problem with sulfur smell.

It would appear that not all 4Runners are experiencing this problem. This makes me wonder why some people do and others do not experience this problem.

If a problem such as this does not pose a serious safety or health hazard (which has yet to be proven or not) I doubt most lawyers would be willing to take on a case like this. In some cases, the need for justice might justify the cost of litigation. In this case, I have my doubts.
 
I guess I missed it, but you did go to the dealer with the problem, didn't you?

Today at work I asked three other 4Runner owners (03's and one 04) if they have ever had the problem and the answer is no. So that's four of us.

Maybe try another dealer. You've got to remember that when you come in with a problem the only way you can get it solved is if the solution improves their cash flow. And you have to be as calm and detached as you are when you step on a snail in the garden, smile and be plesant and they will not be able to work or control you. Keep a logbook and document every conversation, name, title and phone number and keep coming. Those are the tactics that they have no defense for. Put your energy into being a very calm negotiator and talk to anyone that could help you as in the ownership and Toyota. I was a service manager a long time ago and the customer that is calm, polite and persistant, armed with knowledge, can not be ruffled, and has a complete track of events wins the battle. Again you have to fight the battle on your terms, anything else costs more money than anyone wants to spend and there is the real risk of loosing.
 
 
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dcampen said:
http://www.swri.edu/10light/catalyst.htm
http://www.brickboard.com/ARCHIVES/1999JUN/10012012.shtml
http://www.sjmautotechnik.com/trouble_shooting/exhaust.html#rot
http://www.stretcher.com/stories/99/991025k.cfm
http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/cadillac/topic/30453-1.html
http://www.autoforumz.com/Chevrolet-Sulfur-Smell-coming-exhaust-ftopict112720.html
http://www.theautochannel.com/mania/repair/qa1998/qa9826.html
http://www.stretcher.com/stories/00/000619k.cfm
http://www.kcchronicle.com/Wheels/293239539357655.php
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/archive/index.php/t-108613.html
http://www.thevolvosite.com/FAQSnew...e a rotten egg smell coming from the exhaust?
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Haha, some of the theories talked about on those links are down-right funny. i.e short on battery causing burnt sulfuric acid.
 
*** Again, have you opened the rear window and used full throttle untill it shifts to the next gear? I thought I didn't have this problem until I did this. ***



In response to these questions, One of the first things I did was drive with the back window open. I had a 1989 K-5 Blazer and spring to fall my back window was open so I sorely missed this with the 4-Runner. At full throttle I have yet to experience the smell as of yet and have been on the throttle many times to test it out. Bear in mind my fix is only 10 days old, I guess time will tell.

As for the people who state they do not experience this I would have to say they must be layed back when accellerating.

Has anything ever been checked regarding the cars without the smell possibly still using gas with MTBE instead of ethanol? Just wondering?
 
Koz said:
Again, have you opened the rear window and used full throttle untill it shifts to the next gear? I thought I didn't have this problem until I did this.

Koz
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I have done that. And i did it again today, still nothing. While i dont usually pin it full throttle all the time, i am by no means light on the gas pedal.

Maybe you should just lay off the gas a bit there, huh?:)
 
This topic has been discussed on this board and others ad nauseum since '02. Check out Edmunds also.

I have the Borla. On occasion, with the back window down/cracked, I will get a sulphur smell. So, the side exit theory is toast. I run 93 octane 90%, 89 octane 10%. I buy Philips66, Citgo and BP. Rare is the Exxon experience, which causes the problem. Exxon uses 100% high sulphur Middle East oil. The other three are W. hemisphere sourced, which is lower in sulphur. And free of terrorists.

10% of the time I can smell sulphur. 90% of the time nothing. So, I look at it as operating correctly 90% of the time. Not enough trouble to play the game with the dealer.

My back window must be down/cracked for this to happen. Which the manual says not to do.

My '03 Subie Forester also smells like sulphur. Coincidently, I fill up this car at Exxon. And its rear hatch window doesn't go down.
 
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Sac,

You're on the right path. Koz, I suggest you use a different brand of gas. Not all gas companies use exactly the same gas composition.

Also, you obviously already have a fix. DON'T LOWER THE REAR WINDOW. At least you have the option to raise or lower it. Thank Toyota for giving you the liberty to choose. Not many other SUV's have this feature.
 
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1. Boaz
2. Htown4Runner
3. Solice
4. NoSpeedLmt (depending on price, just bought the truck and a looking to buy a house this summer)
 
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