Sulfur TSB process

[toyota03]

I have the terrible sulfur smell and I tried to get my dealer to replace my Cat from the TSB, but they refused saying it was a problem with the gas I was putting in my 4R. I even said there was a TSB and they still refused.

I 've been waiting two weeks for my stealership to order my converter and rack system for the driver seat.

Fishepa ,
you should try doing a search on this forum and print the TSB or call GoToyota.com. They should be able to send you to a stealership that would do the replacement for you according to your VIN number.

 

[snap315]

I had the TSB for my 2005 V8 done a few weeks ago.

Before I went there I called and made an appointment to have my 4Runner checked (I knew it stank already but it's part of the TSB process).

I also printed up the TSB notice and gave them a copy (just in case I got the "what sulfur TSB?" response.

It took about 2 weeks to get the cats in. Once the work was done my 4Runner stank MUCH WORSE. Of course, that was because the pipes used in the new exhaust assembly had been treated and weren't burned it yet.

The smell went away after a couple of days (and some high speed runs above 100 MPH :awais: ) later.

Now there is no smell whatsoever from my exhaust!

 

[woadie]

Just went to the dealership today. Have an appointment in a couple of days. The gentleman who helped me knew exactly of the sulfur problem, and told me straight up what the process was. First, they are going to check for the smell (part of their protocol), and then reprogram the ECU, all which is going to take around an hour. He said that reprogramming the ECU takes care of the problem 6/10 times, and that they won't replace the cats immediately. Not too sure about the accuracy of this statement, but he assured me they have spare cats for the replacement if neccessary. Overall a nice and friendly experience (so far). This is at World Toyota in Atlanta.

 

[snap315]

Just went to the dealership today. Have an appointment in a couple of days. The gentleman who helped me knew exactly of the sulfur problem, and told me straight up what the process was. First, they are going to check for the smell (part of their protocol), and then reprogram the ECU, all which is going to take around an hour. He said that reprogramming the ECU takes care of the problem 6/10 times, and that they won't replace the cats immediately. Not too sure about the accuracy of this statement, but he assured me they have spare cats for the replacement if neccessary. Overall a nice and friendly experience (so far). This is at World Toyota in Atlanta.

Has someone stated earlier in this thread, just reprogramming the ECU is not what Toyota recommends to fix the sulfur problem and it may in fact void your warranty for future work in this regard.

 

[woadie]

went in the other day, and they checked my ECU, but didn't need to reprogram it, as it already had the latest information on it. Therefore, they went ahead and ordered a new cat (they can't keep it in stock because Toyota finds stocking too expensive). When I came back to switch out the cats (which was to take about an hour and a half), they managed to strip the threading on the oxygen sensor, and told me that I would need to leave my car there for at least a week until the sensor came in (they had none in stock, and no where else in the southeast had one either). I was f'in pissed. They offered me a rental car for free, but apparently you need to be 21 in order to rent a car, and I don't fall under that restriction. So when a friend was coming to rent a car for me, and give me his car to borrow, the technician came back out and told me they rethreaded the sensor with a tap, and that my car was driveable. However, they said that they still needed to get a new sensor, and that I would have to come back in a week. So i told my friend to go back home, and left the dealership with my still stinky car, and 4 hours lost. Very frustrating. Nonetheless, the associates were very nice and apologetic, and the stuck oxygen sensor is apparently a common problem. However, I did get one thing out of it, I managed to get a $300 offer (after tax) on the 06 LED taillights from the parts department, which imo is better than going through the hassle of shipping from online and I get extra bulbs as well. Check your local Toyota dealership and see if you can get the same deal if interested!

 

[jmauld]

Has anyone noticed any changes in performance after having the ECU reflashed?

Does torque/hp remain the same and does gas mileage stay the same?

 

[trdtim]

So I went to Power Toyota in Irvine, Ca, and the guy I made the apt with was really cool then I drop it off and those guys are a bunch of jerks. They said I had the latest update on the ECM and that they've smelled way worse situations and that they won't swap them out. This is the 2nd time this stealership gave me crap so I'm going to call another dealer and tell them what happened to see if they will one up the situation and take me in. I will be going there from now on if that happens. Anyone in SoCal, Orange county, know a dealer that will just take it in?

 

[snap315]

So I went to Power Toyota in Irvine, Ca, and the guy I made the apt with was really cool then I drop it off and those guys are a bunch of jerks. They said I had the latest update on the ECM and that they've smelled way worse situations and that they won't swap them out. This is the 2nd time this stealership gave me crap so I'm going to call another dealer and tell them what happened to see if they will one up the situation and take me in. I will be going there from now on if that happens. Anyone in SoCal, Orange county, know a dealer that will just take it in?

Toyota of Irvine is good for alot of things but this isn't one of them obviously.



Head over to Toyota of Tustin. That is where I had my sulfur TSB work done a few months ago.

Just remember to bring a copy of the TSB in case they act like they don't know what you're talking about.

:

 

[trdtim]

Toyota of Irvine is good for alot of things but this isn't one of them obviously.



Head over to Toyota of Tustin. That is where I had my sulfur TSB work done a few months ago.

Just remember to bring a copy of the TSB in case they act like they don't know what you're talking about.

:

That's the one I was going to next. CAlled and talked to them and they sent me to Julio who is the service manager. He's supposed to call me back. Told them I wanted to give them business since I'm not dealing with Irvine anymore. Irvine also turned me down for a 15 minute job at 8am saying they were booked. I'm over Irvine. BAN IRVINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Sefam]

When I called the dealer about the smell they told me to bring it in. I didn't mention the TSB at 1st, but theygave me the spiel about gas quality and I pulled out a printed copy of the TSB. Since then the dealer has been somewhat cooperative. They made my service appt. and sent me on my way.

I dropped my 4R off the morning of 2/15 and was told it would take a day to replace the CAT converter, when 4 o'clock rolled around and I hadn't heard from the dealer, i called. They told me that they ordered the wrong kit. When I went in that afternoon to pick up my truck, they said that they were missing parts due to back orders from high demand from the TSB.

They gave me a rental car to use, but I would rather have my 4R back. I called today (2/16) and they are saying it will take a 3 days to get the part. I don't have a lot of confidence in my service manager and am not sure what to do at this point. I guess I will wait the 3 days and hope they get the part.

I will post an update when new info is available.

I got my 4Runner back and it seems to be fine. There is a slight smell, but I believe this is because of the new parts. As far as I tell, my performance has not been affected and my gas mileage has improved by about 2.2 mpg (according to the in-dash display).

I still have my doubts about this dealers service department, but in fairness to them, they just opened in this location (they moved from an older facility a few miles away).

 

[woadie]

finally got the TSB done the other day, apparently I had 5 different parts that had to be ordered. I still smell something a little bit sour sometimes with heavy acceleration, but the service dood said that it was the chemicals on the stainless steal burning off. I've had it for about 600 miles now, hopefully I'll have no smell at all soon. Anyone know how the TSB works if I get an aftermarket exhaust?

 

[LV4R]

Just got mine taken care of today and Findlay Toyota here in Las Vegas definitely made the whole thing a breeze. I took my 4R in for service on monday and gave the TSB paper to the service guy Ken and he said ok I will have them do the work. No questions asked whatsoever. Unfortunately they did not have the parts so they could not do it on monday so I brought it in today and they did it.

I got what was hopefully my last whiff of sulfur when I punched it out of the dealer lot with the back window down. After that I havent smelled any sulfur although the stuff that is burning off the new parts smells like burning ABS pipe. I couldnt be happier with the service I received at this dealership as I was expecting a fight to get this service performed.