Sulfuric smell w/ Acceleration????

[summit21]

I have a 2004 sport 4x4, T4R. When I accelerate I notice what seems to be sulfuric like smell. Does anyone know what is causing this or had it happen to them?? I will be taking it to dealer in a couple of days.

 

[Bluto]

Just about everyone has it. Plenty of info.

Search on sulfur.

 

[Mark86]

This is normal on all Toyotas. This has been here before. Here are a few threads concerning this issue:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=5640&highlight=sulfur+smell

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

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4276&highlight=sulfur+smell

Use the search button and type in the words "sulfur smell" and you will find a lot more.

 

[sharp4runr]

Yup, depending on your VIN number you may qualify for a TSB that helps on this issue. I say "help" because it does not FIX the problem but makes it less stinky.

 

[Yamaha R1]

Does this occur with the V8's too?

 

[Mark86]

Does this occur with the V8's too?

Yes. My 2003 V8 was extremely bad in giving off the smell. My 2005 is not as bad but it still happens some of the time.

 

[Yamaha R1]

I havent smelled it on mine yet, 2004 V8..I'm keeping my fingers crossed

 

[tcpoob]

try it w/ your rear window (tailgate) down. and it may also depend on wind direction. you will, shortly

I havent smelled it on mine yet, 2004 V8..I'm keeping my fingers crossed

 

[Offroader]

It usually happens when you accelerate more aggressively.

I guess this is due to more unburned fuel.

What is this "TSB" and how does it solve the problem?

What does the acronym T.S.B mean?

 

[sharp4runr]

It usually happens when you accelerate more aggressively.

I guess this is due to more unburned fuel.

What is this "TSB" and how does it solve the problem?

What does the acronym T.S.B mean?

TSB stands for Toyota Service Bulletin. There is a V6 and a V8 TSB for the 2003-2004 4Runners. Apparently in 2005 the fix has been performed at the Factory.

What they do is change out CATS and reflash the ECU with new programming. From what I was told by the dealership, the CATS and programming that were used in 2003/2004 caused a lot of sulfur deposits to stay in the CATs. Under hard acceleration the Sulfur would get burned off and you would smell the by product.

Do a search for V6 Sulfur TSB or V8 Sulfur TSB and you'll find A LOT of hits.

Maybe even the links that Mark86 posted will have the TSB itself. I have links to the exact TSB, but they are at my house PC.

 

[TowRunner]

TSB is a general term used by manufacturers of anything really that stands for Technical Service Buletin.

I haven't read the threads yet on this, but would really like to find a fix for this. I get the smell often and it is literally "choking" it is so strong.

Mine is a 2005 V8 with 1200 miles on it.

 

[Offroader]

This is common in newer generation catalyst converters.

I first felt this smell in a Mercedes Benz european version 10 years ago. My Peugeot 406 had this smell whenever I accelerated it hard.

European cars used a different process for catalytic conversion.

It seems that this technology has started to be used in U.S. version vehicles.

 

[Casper]

My 2005 V8 does it bad but it gets worse on low rent fuel....using chevron or shell makes a difference as well as generally higher octanes have a bit less odor to them.

 

[TeCKis300]

This is normal on all Toyotas.

This is normal on ALL cars that burn unleaded gasoline.

Just more noticable on the 4runner because it has the roll down rear tailgate window.

 

[Offroader]

This is normal on ALL cars that burn unleaded gasoline.

Not true. I don't remember cars from the '80s and '90s doing this. Specifically, none of my Hondas ever did this during my high-revving teenage years. First time a car I own did this was my Peugeot. The dealer told me they used different catalyst systems in Europe and in the U.S.
Probably they started using this cheaper system in the U.S.

 

[tcpoob]

Actually, I think someone suggested that Toyota changed the cat sys on the 4th gen because the coating or material used in the old cat was more harmful to those work on it. maybe one of the reasons.

Not true. I don't remember cars from the '80s and '90s doing this. Specifically, none of my Hondas ever did this during my high-revving teenage years. First time a car I own did this was my Peugeot. The dealer told me they used different catalyst systems in Europe and in the U.S.
Probably they started using this cheaper system in the U.S.

 

[TeCKis300]

Not true. I don't remember cars from the '80s and '90s doing this. Specifically, none of my Hondas ever did this during my high-revving teenage years. First time a car I own did this was my Peugeot. The dealer told me they used different catalyst systems in Europe and in the U.S.
Probably they started using this cheaper system in the U.S.

And all those Hondas had roll down rear hatch windows right?

Also, the formulation of gasoline has changed since then.

 

[Bluto]

This is normal on ALL cars that burn unleaded gasoline.

Just more noticable on the 4runner because it has the roll down rear tailgate window.

In the 4Runner with the windows up, it stinks with only moderate acceleration.

It is like the game Spy Hunter, I can produce a nauseous smoke screen anytime I want. Go 1/2 throttle from a red light, stop a block later, enjoy the aroma.

I'll have to try some different brands of gas.

I have never smelled anything like it in my 01 Acura CLS or my brother's 03 Tundra, windows up or down.

 

[Offroader]

And all those Hondas had roll down rear hatch windows right?

Also, the formulation of gasoline has changed since then.

My Peugeot didn't have a roll down rear hatch window either, and I could feel it when I arrived home.