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

[ToolmanJohn]

Two edged sword

The catalytic emmisions system is very efficient for an SUV, but there is a sulfer smell because of it. I wonder how much trial testing Toyota did before releasing the truck for production? Did they even drive the truck real world, with both engine/exhaust configurations using USA gasoline? Seems like they ignored it, hoping no one would complain, or dropped the ball on it.

I will hit my "service" dept up for the fix again in the future, but this time instead of saying it;s annoying, I will say it's affecting my allergies, and my passsengers. That may get a better reaction next time around.

 

[4runnerman]

hey people,

my parts came in...a pipe and a gasket.. is that all it requires to do this procedure?

is a pipe with a single part number, the whole catalytic converter?why do u guys refer to it as cats?

 

[4runnerman]

good news

Hey everyone,

my forerunner is smell free now.. i had the tSb performed, and Im a happy camper...

i was hitting the gas pedal up the hill, and enjoying speeding for the first time...

i hope things stay this way...

if anyone has any questions, i'll be happy to answer..

peace

 

[Kanab]

I understand performing this tsb will get rid of the smell but it will cut your engine life in 1/2.



















Sorry I couldn't help myself

 

[scott78945]

My dealer that I bought my Runner from also claimed this was the gas. I also have a ticking in my engine that is a big problem too, but not apparently to Toyota. I was too suggested to use different gas and use some fuel injectior cleaner. I will let everyone know what happens. The dealership claimed that if it kept on happening then to bring it in. This is a different dealership so maybe things will be better.

 

[4runnerman]

I understand performing this tsb will get rid of the smell but it will cut your engine life in 1/2.



















Sorry I couldn't help myself

thats not funny dude, i was stressed out over this smell.. it was so embarrassing, especially when I had to explain to people that rode with me...

 

[4runnerman]

My dealer that I bought my Runner from also claimed this was the gas. I also have a ticking in my engine that is a big problem too, but not apparently to Toyota. I was too suggested to use different gas and use some fuel injectior cleaner. I will let everyone know what happens. The dealership claimed that if it kept on happening then to bring it in. This is a different dealership so maybe things will be better.

listen, take it from me

its bs, it aint no gas.. everyone else has a car and it dont stink...

its your catalytic converter...

i took it twice, they turn me back with a pad on the back and said gas... i was pissed..

and then i slapt the tsb on them, my car qualifies due to the vin number... go get it done!!!

end of story...

 

[scott78945]

When I asked the dealer that I originally bought it from they claimed that even though my VIN# falls within the guidelines that doesn't mean that they have to do the fix. They "claimed" that if they don't see the problem they don't have to fix it regardless. That is why I am playing the game with the new dealer. They seem to be wanting to help me more than the first. I will do what they say and when I smell it again, it is going in. If they tell me there is nothing wrong, then I pull out the TSB.

 

[Kanab]

When I asked the dealer that I originally bought it from they claimed that even though my VIN# falls within the guidelines that doesn't mean that they have to do the fix. They "claimed" that if they don't see the problem they don't have to fix it regardless. That is why I am playing the game with the new dealer. They seem to be wanting to help me more than the first. I will do what they say and when I smell it again, it is going in. If they tell me there is nothing wrong, then I pull out the TSB.

Go back to the original dealer that would not help you, take a garden hose in with you this time attach one end to your exhaust pipe and have the service manager hold the other end to his nose. Fire it up and tell him to hold it there for 10-15 minutes while the engine gets warmed up. Then maybe on your next trip in the "new service manager" will help you out

 

[OmarT4R]

i brought in my car yesterday for an oil change and asked them to take a look at the rotten egg smell. I even gave them a tbs that i got from here... They blamed it on the gas and the tbs that i found here was for V8 4runners. I have a V6.

 

[4runnerman]

this is my thing

if it doesnt smell, dont go looking for it..

but if you smell it when accelarating hard, going up hills, and other times!!

then clearly you need to get it checked out... tell them u tried other gasolines, and it didnt make a difference...

there's a tsb for V6 and V8 on this forum...


i hope this helps..

 

[OmarT4R]

i notice the odor when i accelerate hard. like when im goin on the highway n i want to pass a truck... I have not seen the tsb for the v6.. i u seen the link can you point me to it.. thxx

 

[4runnerman]

here u go

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5009

whered u buy the car?

 

[4runnerman]

Re: here u go

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5009

whered u buy the car?

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/attachment.php?s=&postid=30258

 

[OmarT4R]

i got the car from dhc brunswick

 

[OmarT4R]

thanks for the link... have it all ready printed out =0)

 

[Border411]

Ok....I got a 2004 V6 with a SEVERE sulfur smell while stepping on the gas and the rear window down, which like some other people have said, is really freakin annoying and embarrassing. Here is my problem-my VIN# is past that "Production Change Effective VIN". For the V6 4WD, it states that last 8 of the VIN is 40032900. Well mine is 40033187. NOW WHAT THE HELL DO I DO???? Does anyone think maybe making the exhaust come out the side of the vehicle, with something like a 90 degree bend in the exhaust pipe at the tip do anything? Is the smell coming into the rear window due to the wind currents around and under the truck? I dont smell it with the windows up or just the side windows down.

Thanks.
Shaun

 

[4route]

Shaun,

No, angling the exhaust out to the side of the vehicle will not help the issue. I tried that before I got the fix and it did not change at all. You may notice that in certain instances, the smell appears even with the windows rolled up tight.

The only fix is going to be the TSB and replaced cat converts. and a flashed ECU. Don't waste your money on an angled tip -- it won't solve the issue.

I'm not sure what to tell you as far as the VIN range -- you could try calling your dealership and complaining about the smell, mentioning that you know there is a fix, and seeing what they'll do for you. Good luck!

 

[Kanab]

Ok....I dont smell it with the windows up or just the side windows down.

Thanks.
Shaun

Don't roll the rear window down.

 

[V8Limited4wd]

Mine was gone immediately after the fix and never came back. I looked underneath and you can clearly see two new cat converters. If you didn't get those, you didn't get the fix. Reprogramming the ECM/ECU is worthless without the new cats.

You WILL get a little smell when your cat like first thing in the morning, but it quickly goes away. I only notice it backing out of the driveway with the windows down. I also can detect what I'd call normal unleaded gas stink if I really get on the gas, but it's not even close to what it was before the fix and not a sulfur odor, just exhaust fumes.

PS, all the above is only when the back window is down.I never did smell it with the windows up.

did you guys who did the tsb notice any decrease in performance? i dont want the dealership to screw my runner up.