Rotten Egg Smell from Exhaust

[Kimmel]

I know there's been a thread on this from Oct of 2010, but I was wondering/hoping that someone found a better solution to this problem since then, other than upgrading gas octane, moving exhaust and closing the back window.

I have a 2010 SR5 and get the smell in the cabin whether I have the back window up or not. However, like the others, I can't smell it if all windows are up. I just can't believe that we could spend this much money for a new car/truck and have such a problem.

Help......and thanks

 

[gamerc]

It's not a 5th gen problem, it's a 4runner "characteristic."

 

[brockeverly]

Unless you can rewrite the laws of physics, no.

 

[Kimmel]

rotten egg smell problem

I was curious as I saw many people back in 2004-2006 responding to a TSB which called for replacment of cat converters and a reprograming/flashing of the ECU. This seemed to work for most, although some reported that the smell came back but not as bad.

I didn't know if there was a TSB for 2010s, V6.

 

[jangoforhire]

You could duck-tape a deodorant stick at your tail pipe...

But seriously I haven't had any issues with this. Definitely seems like there is something wrong though, I wouldn't chalk this up to a "characteristic"

 

[Qjake]

As mentioned it's a characteristic of your 4Runner. The poor design of the rear spoiler doesn't allow for air to flow down the rear of the vehicle, also why the rear hatch gets so dirty. You're the first I've heard say they smell exhaust with the rear closed, you might wanna double check on that:boink:

Keep the rear window closed and problem solved!

 

[clin9383]

side exit exhaust can fix this.

 

[DannyLlama]

I just smelt that too, oh wait that was just my own brand that smells like rotten eggs :toilet3:

 

[Flip-er]

I smell it sometimes on my 2012 sr5,
talked to a guy on a another forum. he states that if you extend the tip of tail pipe out a little it helps BUT wont stop it all together.

 

[KidVermicious]

I have a solution for you!

The same thing happens with my 1st gen when I've got the tailgate window down, or when I'm running my soft top with the sides buttoned and the back open. It doesn't happen with the sides rolled up or the top off completely, so the solution is obvious... get a 1st gen and take the top off. :hatsoff:

 

[Kimmel]

Some do, some don't

The fact that some 2010s do and some 2010s don't tells me that it can be fixed, and it wouldn't mean extending tailpipe.

If anyone finds a TSB for 2010s, let me know, please. We shouldn't have to keep windows up or extend tailpipes to make $40K vehicles smell free.

 

[brockeverly]

If the back window is down, it creates a pressure vacuum. No TSB will fix that. This has been discussed at length many, many times.

 

[Kimmel]

Cat Converter

Yes, thanks. I understand the whole back window thing. But what gets me is that some 2010 4-Runners do it, and some don't. How could this be?

Secondly, in reading over the posts from 2003-2006, many of those owners used the TSB from those years and got NEW low-sulfur emitting cat converters, and for many the smell went away (there were some who said it came back just a little). These are different than the orig cats put in when they were made new. Dealerships don't want to do this service because it's a little more than $2,000 out of their pocket. They tell us to find another source of gas, higher octane, etc.

 

[bowen873]

I had the TSB done for the cat parts on my 07 and it didn't make a difference when driving with the back windows down. I had the exhaust routed out the side and the smell went away.

 

[brockeverly]

I would say the vast majority that "don't" have the problem just don't know that they do. It was a good 5k miles before I had the right conditions for it to happen.

 

[Kimmel]

Yes, this is some of what I have been reading so far. Hmm....

 

[Kimmel]

makes sense

Yes, I think you are right about people who have it but don't know.

Thanks to everyone!

 

[philsey]

Yes, thanks. I understand the whole back window thing. But what gets me is that some 2010 4-Runners do it, and some don't. How could this be?

This has been discussed-to-death, use Google search, try "rotten" or "egg", or both. Excellent technical explanations were given for this "issue".

It is NOT, repeat NOT, something "wrong" with your truck. You cannot "fix" it other than learning how to deal with it, which has already been explained to you. Learn which windows can/cannot be opened - period. Many have reported that a side exit exhaust helps. Hard acceleration exacerbates the issue.

EDIT: Oh, please search "buffet" or "buffeting" too, as you will encounter this peculiarity as you experiment with the windows.

 

[brockeverly]

EDIT: Oh, please search "buffet" or "buffeting" too, as you will encounter this peculiarity as you experiment with the windows.

I don't get it :hiding:

 

[Antman]

Damn rotten eggs!!! Always causing trouble here on T4R :lmao: