Rotten egg smell from exhaust

[SoCalBurt]

I've had my 4R for about 6 months now and i always
gas up at the same few gas stations but lately I've been
noticing a rotten egg type smell in the cabin. It only happens
when i downshift a gear to pass a slower vehicle. The throttle
isn't even floored, more like halfway. Could my catalytic converter
be crapping out? Is anyone else experiencing this? Perhaps my favorite
gas stations are using cheap fuel lately. I'm wondering if some
fuel system cleaner additive would help. Hmmm just wondering
if anyone else has this issue with their 4R. Other than that the
vehicle runs fine.

 

[SeattleMike]

I've had my 4R for about 6 months now and i always
gas up at the same few gas stations but lately I've been
noticing a rotten egg type smell in the cabin. It only happens
when i downshift a gear to pass a slower vehicle. The throttle
isn't even floored, more like halfway. Could my catalytic converter
be crapping out? Is anyone else experiencing this? Perhaps my favorite
gas stations are using cheap fuel lately. I'm wondering if some
fuel system cleaner additive would help. Hmmm just wondering
if anyone else has this issue with their 4R. Other than that the
vehicle runs fine.

The cat converter is not going bad. When you suddenly increase the revs, the fuel/air mix gets suddenly richer, flooding the exhaust with more hydrocarbons that can't be converted. The reaction creates Hydrogen Sulfide (the rotten egg smell) and the trailering effect brings it into the cabin.

More info: Answers.com - How can you tell a catalytic converter is bad

 

[4Robber]

It's the trucks way of telling you that you're polluting the air.

 

[Casper421]

The 4th gens have the same "problem"! Try upgrading your octane, 87 to 89 or 89 to 91. Others have re-routed their exhaust tip from the rear to the side so the fumes don't enter the cabin.

Ive suffered the same smell during the summer but not so much during the winter, when the rear window is closed. Come spring i will re-rout my exhaust too behind the tire. Good luck! :cheers:

 

[iDRiVaT4R]

Iv'e only gotten this smell under acceleration while the rear window is opened some. Other then that I never smell it.

 

[DocMT]

It's amazing that Toyota doesn't do something about the rotten egg (sulfer) smell from the catalytic converters. This has been going on since 2003 and continues even today!

None of my other vehicles had this issue!

 

[Champ306]

It's amazing that Toyota doesn't do something about the rotten egg (sulfer) smell from the catalytic converters. This has been going on since 2003 and continues even today!

None of my other vehicles had this issue!

this happens on about any car, ever smell a nissan getting on the highway? yep.

its nothing, and there isnt much you can do about it. you actually are not suppose to drive with the back window down, yes, this comes from the station wagon days, when it used to have it right on the back window or roll down, yes, roll down handle. if you have it down, and get a headache, or sick, or hit a tree cuz you cannot see straight, dont sue Toyota. you will not win.

all this in humor. I drive with mine down when I know I will just put around town, but if I am climbing a hill, or something that negates hauling ass, i will roll it up so I dont have to get a headache.

have fun.

 

[DocMT]

this happens on about any car, ever smell a nissan getting on the highway? yep.

.

I own a G37 coupe (which is really a Nissan) and it does not have this problem. No other cars I've ever owned had this problem. It's just not that common, unless maybe you're talking about Toyotas.

 

[SoCalBurt]

I thought it was a little weird being the vehicle is brand new. I drive with the rear window down half way alot of the time so i get that smell in the cabin....kinda ruins my driving experience till it all air out. The girlfriend hates it thats for sure.

 

[tlflow]

Egg Fart

I thought it was a little weird being the vehicle is brand new. I drive with the rear window down half way alot of the time so i get that smell in the cabin....kinda ruins my driving experience till it all air out. The girlfriend hates it thats for sure.

Cali is special:
The (federal register, according to the EPA translation, thereof) sulfur regulations provide that California gasoline is not subject to any of the provisions of the sulfur program. See § 80.200.

http://www.epa.gov/sbrefa/documents/4211qa2.pdf