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

[ironadrenaline]

I have a 2003 4Runner V-8 4WD with the well known stinky exhaust. Toyota is not helping. I found the TSB for my model year and engine size but my VIN is not listed - they all appear to be 400 or 480 series -- my VIN is a 300 series:JTEBxxxRx300xxxxx

Is my 4Runner involved in another TSB?

Thanks,
BG

try another dealer. if they refuse then another. dont bring up the tsb unless you need to. when i got mine done i just walked in and told them the problem. they drove it for a mile and came back telling me theyll have the parts soon.

 

[beach_girl]

HI -- wanted to let you know that I spoke with Toyota Corporation and questioned if my 4Runner was part of the TSB and they confirmed it was not. But they did open a case for me giving the dealership 3 days to respond to them. My dealership called me later in the afternoon and they will be ordering and replacing the catalytic converter.

I'm glad I called Toyota Corp because not only is there an attempt to remedy the stink, I also get my visors replaced....they don't have any vanity mirrors. Corporate asked me if I had mirrors on my visors and when I said no, the tech said my truck falls under "Campaign 30G." Silly as it sounds that I'm getting vanity mirrors it's just the fact of the matter, you pay $30,000+++ for a vehicle - can't they throw in a couple of mirrors? I guess there was an oversight along the way and now it's being corrected.

Thanks again....

 

[EdDucks916]

Most of you guys are smelling something that I'm not. So far I've had 45K miles on my 03, and when this thread came up I have tried to replicate this problem on my 4R and...nothing. I am not smelling anything. I have driven those miles and have smelled nothing. I tried to smell it even after gunning it, and...all I smell is nothing.

I'm guessing your cats have to break in somewhere.

Nope, I have not done this TSB yet.

And, I usually fill Shell 87 octane gas, although I live in Southern California so who knows, it could be different for some.

For those who really want to do it, it's under the emissions warranty anyway.

 

[doggie_m]

Cat Replaced

Did the TSB. Took my car to my dealer, and they went through the same procedure everyone seems to be getting. I think they get a list of instructions before they actually replace the cat. They called me up before ordering the part stating that I should change my gas. I replied I always purchase my fuel from the same location, and fuel all my cars there, never having any rotten egg smell emanating from any of my other vehicles. I had a very bad experience on a highway the weekend prior, very embarresing having family on board, and told the rep. that my experience was eye watering. Which in fact it was, it was really horrid. So, anyway they called me back 30 mins later, told me they ordered my part, and I could go back to pick up my vehicle, which I did but had to leave (my vehicle that is) because of the vsc trac lights that were on. After getting a rental I left, and the next day I get a call stating my car is ready! Thank god my car stinks no mo ! LOL. It even feels as if I am getting better accel/pick up. Anyway, I'm happy with the result.

 

[bonds44]

i have an 06 sport that has same smell i brout to the dealer this weekend and they are replaceing the cat will let u no if it worked but they say that should get rid of it will keep u up dated

 

[ptung07]

I had the smell coming from my 2003 Toyota 4Runner. I took it in to get it fixed, (TSB) and my dealership had no problem doing the TSB. However, when picking the car up, they forgot to update the comptuter and the VSC and TRAC lights went on. They reprogrammed it which made the lights go off.
After the TSB, the smell is almost completely gone.

 

[WhiteSE]

2 TSBs done still stinkin'

Whats goin on everyone,

I purchased my 05 SE back last september (Cabe Toyota of Long Beach), and from day one i got the smell. I got my 1st TSB (Garden Grove) performed this past march (**due to time conflicts w/ toyota machanics) a month later the sulfur smell came back. Took it back to the same dealership who performed the original TSB repairs, and was denied due to the fact that they already performed the service. Service Manager's exact words: "We've already filled your warranty once and will not perform another " Took it to another dealership (Toyota of Cerritos) and was approved for a 2nd TSB. Well just picked it up last week and now im getting that infamous sulfur smell again. I called Cerritos and asked if they performed the ECU reprogramming and they replied "NO, we did not see it on the TSB. So we did not know about it." Does anyone here know if there is a different TSB or any other bulletin for the reprogramming of the ECU? my nose and eyes would greatly appreciate any help from here.

** i work mon-fri 8-5. but weekends, most dealerships never any enough mechanics to take her for a test drive. im at 22k miles now. I've been told that the California Lemon Law states the 3rd attempt must be done w/in 18k miles.

ok im done! sorry for venting!

 

[Mr. Lambdebois]

I live in an area (St. Louis) with reformulated gasoline and I have a terrible amonia/sulfer smell when the engine is put under load and the back window is open.

 

[greasefingers]

The lemon law will not apply here as it is not a real issue. If it was a real issue (a safety or equipment damage issue) then there would actually be a recall. TSBs are not recalls hence you must live with it once they perform the TSB. I am not saying that I agree with this as it simply stinks!

 

[4runnerlad]

Hey all, Need some help here im a proud new owner of a used 2003 toyota 4runner limited v8! got a problem with the dealer and id like your advice. I am also from ireland a new guy in south dakota!
right here goes! I bought the car couple of weeks ago it is 92k miles and got it for $18ooo I bought it under the condition that they replace the catalyst converter!
as I could smell the car bad big time inside the cabin in the heat it was stinkin man!
but as i bought it i havent smelt it much just when im in the highway a little creeps in and sometimes when i take off and stop it slightly comes in. but the cabin smell is going quickly. but im thinking maybe the cold weather is helping the smell away.
anyways ill get to the point here lads!
I have read this forum and i see the tsb fix for the converters. they said they would replace the converter when i bought it to get rid of the smell
two weeks later i gave them the TSB for the part number to order. they now refuse to order the part as per the agreement and use the excuse of saying that theres nothing wrong with it and wont buy a new part becuase of a smell. they said if there was a engine warning light coming up they would replace it. i am pretty mad about it.
they offered to fill my car with premium fuel or buy back my car. but wont spend 778 dollars in replacing the cat.

u shoulda seen the smirk on him! his words were we can stilll be friends.cheeky get. (manager)

i dont know what to do lads.

would appriecate the help anywhere..

oh yeah great forum makes me proud to be part of it. 4runner rules!!!

Ryan

 

[MDT4RNR]

Irish Mexican Here!

Hey Lad/Amigo
I would say try a different dealer. Seems like these guys are jerking you around. The TSB (as long as you meet the requirements) should be accepted by any dealership after they review the symptoms.

 

[4runnerlad]

hows it goin well the 4runner is 92k miles
no warranty? up to 80k miles isnt it ?

4runnerlad

 

[sharp4runr]

Yup, the warranty is has a mileage expiration so a dealership could technically deny your claim on it.

If they're being a hard arse about it, tell them to keep the truck then. Maybe giving them the idea that you'd rather have your money back than the stank will motivate them. Good luck with whatever you do.

 

[4runnerlad]

Cheers Lads i dont know what ill do just yet i love my truck but for 92k miles and 18000 dollars limited v8 , is this a good price?

besides the smell is disappearing might come back in warmer weather or window opened a long time.

 

[ginkang]

I had the TSB done at the dealer in North Vancouver, BC on my wife's '04 V8 limited, no questions asked. Seems to have fixed the issue as her truck is FAR less stinky, if at all.

TO OLLIE,

Would you please tell me which North Van dealer you went? I would like to fix mine too. Also did you bring the (TSB)statements?
Thank you

 

[sharp4runr]

Have you tried to PM him/her? At the top of the page, there is a link for "User CP". Click on that and you'll see a link for Private Messages.

 

[ginkang]

Have you tried to PM him/her? At the top of the page, there is a link for "User CP". Click on that and you'll see a link for Private Messages.

Yes i did. Thank you

 

[cjm5027]

I had the same smell prob with my 04 and had the cat replaced...yea didnt fix anything...

 

[caveman75]

I have an 05 sport edition and I have noticed the smell is getting worse. I only have 33,000 miles on it. I talked to the service dept where I bought it and they said they have not heard anything about this problem or TSB. If you do not mind can you post the p/n for this TSB. It looks ike I am going to have to hold there hand in order to get this fixed. By the way this is my first time here in this forum. I really like it. I also have a 00 tacoma. Love my toys. Any help with this problem would be great. Thanks.

 

[buzzme1004]

04 v6 4Runner has been turned down.

I took my T4R to a local dealer, Timonium Toyota in Maryland couple days ago for two reasons, the smell and the rocking seat issues but they only took care about the driver seat. The smell is obviously there but my Vin number is out of TSB range.
This morning I made a call to Toyota customer center but they told me smae thing.

Have any of you done TBS for the smell in this situation?