Sulfur (aka. Rotten Egg) Smell on '03 4Runners

[Thai]

Thanks to rjmespn on CLUBLEXUS:

Thank you for bringing your sulfur fume issue to the Environmental
Protection Agency. The percentage of fresh air required in the
recirculation mode of your vehicle?s air conditioning system is not
under EPA jurisdiction. It may be governed by the National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration. The NHTSA can be contacted at
1-800-424-9396 or on the web at www.nhtsa.dot.gov

EPA has been made aware of concerns regarding sulfur odors. It is my
understanding that in 2002/2003 Toyota replaced the nickel based
catalytic converter lining with a non-nickel containing compound in
order to reduce the exposure of its employees. Nickel is a toxic
compound. we believe that new lining currently in use, specifically in
2003 and later Toyota models, does not handle the sulfur in gasoline as
well as the former nickel compound. Therefore resulting in the sulfur
odor you are noticing in your vehicle.

Over the next few years, Air Quality Tier 2 regulations are requiring
the formula for gasoline to change. If you wold like more information,
the final rule regarding sulfur content in gasoline was published on
February 10, 2000 and is located in the Federal Register Volume 65 (65
FR 6698). Currently, the sulfur content in gasoline is approximately 120
parts per million and is capped at 300 parts per million. By 2006
refiners must begin producing gasoline with an average sulfur content of
30 parts per million with a cap of 80 parts per million.

I hope that this information assist you. If you have any further
questions, please feel free to contact me directly by phone at
(214)665-8555, or by e-mail at [email protected].


Karla Ann Richardson
US EPA Region 6
Air Planning, 6PD-L
1445 Ross Avenue
Dallas, Texas 75202

 

[jj8111]

Toyota's TSB for the Sulfur smell

 

[smooth22]

One of my friends has a '04 Corolla that continuosuly emits the sulfur smell...he's using the lemon law to resolve this.

My '03 4Runner (2/03 build date) rarely emits this smell, but I have noticed it every now and then. Dealer gave me same story...change gas stations, try higher octane, turn recirculation off, tap my ankles together 5 times while pumping gas

 

[Thai]

One of my friends has a '04 Corolla that continuosuly emits the sulfur smell...he's using the lemon law to resolve this.

Is he successful??? I doubt that he would get anywhere...but good luck to him.

 

[smooth22]

Thai,

According to him, the attorney is pretty confident. The attorney was successful with a similiar case but with a Lexus. Toyota ended up settling out of court for like 5K.

His converter consistently emits the sulfur smell so I think he has a strong case. I'll let you know what happens...

 

[glockaxis]

I have an 04 V8 and I smell the same rotten smell especially when I step on the gas (and not necessarily floor it). I guess this is the new speed governor.

 

[vcoglian]

I've contacted both my dealer and Toyota Customer service over this issue. I met last week with one of their regional engineers. He said that they are aware of the issue and gave me the usual "It the gas" story. But also made the recomondation that I keep the door and hatch seals condtioned with a silicone based plastics conditioner (Armor All or what not) to lessen the chances of the fumes getting arond the rear hatch. I stated that does me little good when I driving with the sun roof and the windows open in the summer.

There are many complaints on the NTHSA web site though a few of them are from people driving around with the rear window down. :headslap:

 

[glockaxis]

Just registered a complaint myself. I paid too much to have my truck smell like sh**. That's what my bathroom is for.

 

[bluewolf]

I live in Washington state, which is apparently not regulated. I use only Chevron gasoline (because it's a convenient station, I always have, and I like the Techron that they put in it). In our SR5 V8s first 2000 miles we have noticed NO heavy sulpherous smell when driving, none at all, even with all of the windows down. Out of sheer curiosity, I went so far as to stand behind the vehicle as my wife reved the engine, the smell was apparent but not overwhelming by any means. I almost feel like filling the tank with cheap Arco gas from some AM PM mart (which, by the way is generally 10 to 15 cents cheaper per gallon) just to see if I can get it to make the smell everyone is complaining about!

My hypothesis: USE CHEVRON!!

 

[Locster]

Hi all I have a 96 4Runner and I live in the central valley in California. We have the sulfer smell, pretty much nomatter where we buy the gas. I know of others with the same problems, here in Cali.

 

[MAC4Runner]

I live in Washington state, which is apparently not regulated. I use only Chevron gasoline (because it's a convenient station, I always have, and I like the Techron that they put in it). In our SR5 V8s first 2000 miles we have noticed NO heavy sulpherous smell when driving, none at all, even with all of the windows down. Out of sheer curiosity, I went so far as to stand behind the vehicle as my wife reved the engine, the smell was apparent but not overwhelming by any means. I almost feel like filling the tank with cheap Arco gas from some AM PM mart (which, by the way is generally 10 to 15 cents cheaper per gallon) just to see if I can get it to make the smell everyone is complaining about!

My hypothesis: USE CHEVRON!!

FYI - I live in the great Pacific NW as well and use Chevron gas and sometimes encounter the dreaded sulfur smell. It only happens under the following scenario: Roll down your rear window, and punch the gas going up a slight slope. PU

 

[bluewolf]

FYI - I live in the great Pacific NW as well and use Chevron gas and sometimes encounter the dreaded sulfur smell. It only happens under the following scenario: Roll down your rear window, and punch the gas going up a slight slope. PU

Yeah, I should update. Originally we never encountered the smell, however, under certain circumstances (such as going uphill, foot into the gas, windows down) we did notice what everyone is talking about.

 

[Auburnman]

TSB Released! Warranty Fix

Hey guys... my buddy just sent me this TSB notification (see attachment). It looks like Toyota has heard us loud and clear and understood that we want a fix for this awful stinch.

Note: this applies to all 2003-2004 V8 4Runners and if your truck has less than 80,000 miles, the fix is FREE!

Dave

 

[glockaxis]

Hey thanks for the info. should I wait for something in the mail or go immediately to my dealer? Should all dealers know about this problem? Is there a chance the car won't run the same, if you know what I mean, after servicing it?

 

[Auburnman]

Yes, you should be able to setup an appointment with any dealership.

I personally have a concern that they are still using the original catalytic converter in production (Note: The ECM software was changed for production). I am waiting to hear what the disadvantages are, if any, of the new software and converter.

 

[4route]

will they do this under warranty even if i replaced the stock muffler with a magnaflow?

sorry, this may be a stupid question, but any help would be appreciated!

 

[Auburnman]

will they do this under warranty even if i replaced the stock muffler with a magnaflow?

sorry, this may be a stupid question, but any help would be appreciated!

Yes, I believe they would perform the work under warranty so long as they can easily replace the cat. You could just ask them when you call to setup your appointment.


By the way, how do you like your magnaflows? Did you notice an increase in power?

 

[toybox]

I personally have a concern that they are still using the original catalytic converter in production (Note: The ECM software was changed for production). I am waiting to hear what the disadvantages are, if any, of the new software and converter.

:iagree:

 

[4route]

I love the magnaflow - and definitely noticed an increase in power as well as a nice growl at low RPMs.

Also, I was going to take my runner in for an alignment, and had planned on asking them to fix the sulfur problem since the new TSB came out, but it sounds like there is a lot of hesitation from you guys and in other threads about getting this done when the TSB is so new.

hmm.

 

[Auburnman]

Who will have the TSB performed?

So, who plans to have it done? Please post your results.

Personally, I plan to do it, but I don't want to be the first one at my dealership. Although, it does seem like a straightfoward job. I wonder what benefits I will receive, if any, from the upgraded 2004 Model Year OBD III logic (I own a 2003 MY).