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

[niwroc]

After reading post after post I came up with some possible answers to some issues. Some people are saying theres does not stink. To those maybe they have had the tsb work done already. There SHOULD be a sticker under the hood if this is the case. Then there is the issue of some still stinking after TSB work. According to the TSB dated June 14 04 the converters are still being used on new production vehicles and are the replacements but this may have changed since then. One way to find out is to call and ask for part number to cat at least for the V-8. According to TSB the same cat is also used as the replacement and the superseded part number is to be used if the customer complains of the smell. Maybe they are better at emissions so they continue to use them unless theres a complaint. To quote the TSB "The original part (17410-50360) is CURRENTLY used in vehicle production and is STILL available as a service part. The repair part (17419-50460) SHOULD be used when the customer complains of sulfur dioxide odor". So maybe inadvertently when the parts guy is ordering the replacement he is ordering the original again and not the upgraded. Just looked at the May 27 04 TSB for the V-6 and it says the same thing other than part numbers. By the way I just got an 03 4runner and it stinks and has no TSB sticker under the hood so I will be looking into having it fixed and making sure they order the right part. It is my first foreign vehicle and I am quite proud but have a problem when others complain about it's smell. I can't very well brag it up when there U.S. vehicles at least don't stink.

 

[V-bOnE]

Just wanted to thank everyone - I just figured I was SOL and had to deal with the smell until I saw this post...56k miles of dealing with stank and I basically walked in there and they said "sure, let us order the parts and we'll do the fix no problem" - how cool is that? Anyway, to respond to the "don't see why you would want to drive with the window down" folks out there, if you have a dog, you wouldn't say that...chillin in the cargo bay with the window down happens to be my pooch's all-time favorite, and I dare say that there are others out there who know what I mean...also, when my wife busts ass I can drop her window and the rear window and clear the stank out quickly...PS I'm on day 3 now and although the new catalyst bed is still getting seasoned (the usual hot metallic smell) there's NO MO rotten stinky woohoo!

 

[snap315]

Smell back AFTER having TSB done?

Has anyone had the smell return AFTER having the TSB done?

I had my TSB done over a year ago and recently I've noticed the smell seems to have returned.

What are my options now?

 

[nc211]

Re: Smell back AFTER having TSB done?

Has anyone had the smell return AFTER having the TSB done?

I had my TSB done over a year ago and recently I've noticed the smell seems to have returned.

What are my options now?

Wait...you had the TSB for the 03' model done on your 05? Did they pay for it under the warranty?

 

[sharp4runr]

Re: Re: Smell back AFTER having TSB done?

Wait...you had the TSB for the 03' model done on your 05? Did they pay for it under the warranty?

There are multiple TSBs for the different years, he probably just posted on this thread since it's pretty large.

 

[nc211]

Really?...Hmm, that's good to know! I thought Toyota hadn't issued the TSB yet for the 05' V8 models, just up to the V6 models.. Very good to know!

Although, I must admit, having a fart exhaust sure comes in handy with tailgaters! Pop it in neutral and rev it a few times while your going down the road, will have them at least 3 car lengths behind in no time at all!

 

[nytefog]

Has anyone gotten theh sulfur smell on a 2007 V8?

Thanks

 

[funk1337]

Yup. Have the smell. 2007 V8 Sport Edition. I've basically given up trying to get it fixed, so now I'm just living with it.

 

[nc211]

Has anyone had the TSB done that included the NEW parts, not new parts of the same old parts, and had the sulfur smell return? I ask, because mine is at the dealership right now, and I'm being told the smell will return. However, the TSB clearly identifies new parts to us "only if the customer complains about a sulfur smell", otherwise, just put new versions of the old parts on.

 

[funk1337]

Let us know how it goes. When I showed the dealership the TSB for the '06 v8 the immediate responce was, "Oh, thats been included for the '07s". Which I know is a load since there seems to have been a TSB every year in 2003(4).

Just wish there was a TSB for the 07s...

 

[nc211]

Well actually, how it goes depends on the answers i get on here with that question. i got the "it's the gas" answer today, and the service manager said they're not seeing good results with the TSB, and Toyota has made it difficult to get the proceedure done due to the costs and results. But, I wonder if those negative results were due to the old style parts being put back on, instead of the new style? I told them about this thread, and told them that I'm ok with waiting a little while, but if I find an overwhelming case of positive results with the new parts being installed, that I'm going to call them and "see what needs to be done to get this resolved." I even offered to speak with Toyota Corporate to get them on board as well. I had to do this with my old LS400 and the faulty engine computer, which was wickedly expensive, but in the end, was paid for by Lexus "$3,500".

So, anyone have lasting positive results from this TSB being done? If so, do you know if you got the new parts installed? The TSB specifically says "use the old parts, unless customer complains about a sulfur smell, then use the new parts."

Thanks guy n' gals

 

[nc211]

i guess not, oh well.

 

[Jbuckley21]

Just replaced a 1999 sr5 with a new 08 se. Never had a stink problem with the 99, but holy $%!^ does the 08 smell. How is it possible this problem persists??????

 

[funk1337]

Yeah, I've never had this resolved. I've searched for an '08 TSB but have never found one. And the dealership just keeps saying its the gas...bullshit...

 

[snap315]

Toyota has really dropped the ball on this problem!

:bash:

I usually keep my vehicles for 7 or 8 years but I'm about ready to get rid of my 2005 4Runner mainly due to this problem.

It is an embarrasment to drive this truck. Mine stinks everytime I exceed 40 - 45 MPH (No heavy aceleration needed).

:rant:

I've started the search for a replacement. The Mercedes ML350/550 looks nice so far and so does the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

I find it totally UNEXCEPTABLE that Toyota can't make a $25,000 to $40,000+ vehicle that doesn't stink when driven!

:twak: :soapbox: :cursin:

 

[Slider]

Yup. Have the smell. 2007 V8 Sport Edition. I've basically given up trying to get it fixed, so now I'm just living with it.

My '07 V8 Sport has this sulfur smell as well. Just popped up within the last couple hundred miles of driving. Only about 11k total on the 4Runner.

I'm going to call the dealer when I return home from a business trip and see what they say.

I had an '05 Legacy that had the same sulfur smell. They tried to tell me it was the gas, but it didn't matter where I bought it, it would always stink. Eventually they replaced several parts and the smell went away.

 

[FightinGobbler]

Just bought an '03 Limited, noticed it driving it home for the 1st time. Really disappointing. I bought it from a Toyota dealership but it was not CPO. I will be taking it to them as soon as I get the chance.

 

[majewski]

I have 80K miles on my '03 V8, and really only get the sulfur smell under REALLY hard acceleration or maybe when towing up hills. My experience is that it does seem to vary a bit depending on the gas used.

Mostly I use GetGo from Giant Eagle and it isn't bad, but I did notice heading up to Sleeping Bear Dunes in Michi...gan (hard to get that word out when you live in Columbus, OH) that buying gas from random stations and truck stops we had some serious smellin' going on pulling the boat around.

If it makes anyone feel any better, think of it as a built-in weapon for tailgaters. Once in a while when someone is riding my arse, I'll just put my foot through the firewall and leave them, eyes watering, in my dust. That's fun!

 

[snap315]

If it makes anyone feel any better, think of it as a built-in weapon for tailgaters... That's fun!

Sorry but that is a totally stupid thing to say.

The sulfur smell is like FARTING when you WALK.



If you think that would be fun, let me know.

:bash:

Having either your a$$ or that of your $40,000+ vehicle smell isn't funny or pleasant. Try rolling up a turd and sticking it in your pants while you walk for a day and tell me how much fun that is!!

At least you won't have anyone following you too close in a crowd or riding an elevator with you.

:chair:

 

[Ducman]

Yep

I just got this truck and I noticed this smell problem anytime I come to a stop after hard acceleration.

I do not notice it at any other time though.

I have only put in 91 octane premium fuel and I have a Valor exhaust tip that extends even with the end of my bumper (not sure if that helps, but I figure it might).