Sulphur TSB on 03-04 4runners

PMac

PMac

New member
First off, I'd like to say this forum is awesome and has a wealth of information. I just recently purchased an 04 V6 SE 4runner and it is nice to find a place like this.

I do have a question about the sulphur TSB. My car definitely emits the sulphur odor whenever I get down on it. I have the TSB for the V6, but my VIN number is a few hundred out of the range. Does anybody know if Toyota will still honor the TSB?

Also, is there anybody who has the sulphur smell that decided to forgo the TSB? I am worried that the TSB might hinder performance or cause other problems. I am also worried that the mechanic might mess up since there seems to be a few things that need to be done to complete the TSB, including reprogramming the cpu.

I live in Northern Virginia. Has anybody in this area had the TSB done to their ride.

Thanks in advance.
Paul
 
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I had the TSB done on a V8.......no problems. There is still a smell when I really get in the throttle but nothing like it was. I think most vehicles have this problem with today's emission standards.
I can't say if they will do yours since it is out of the VIN range.
 
Paul,

I'm not sure if the dealership will do the TSB since yours is not within the range. Also they did say that you will still occasionally get the smell, though not as bad as before.

Other members have done the TSB and not complained about a peformance decrease. Also if the dealership messes anything up, it's their fault and covered under warranty so they'd have to fix it. I'm in the midst of doing the V6 Sulfur TSB on my truck right now. I took it in for the 10K service and had them look into that. They ordered the replacement CAT but received the wrong part so I'm waiting for the new part to arrive this week so I can get the TSB out of the way.

BTW, I'm in NOVA as well and the dealership servicing my truck is Lustine in Woodbridge.

July
 
I just had my 04 V8 done at Lustine in Woodbridge this week. My VIN number was not in the range but they never mentioned it to me. They just ordered the parts and fixed it.
 
Had mine done at Alexandria Toyota. Sometimes takes a few days to get parts, so check before you just drop off your ride.
 
I was today at dealer where I bought my truck for some kind of "new Totyota owners metting" and I had a chance to talk to a theirs best mechanic (at least this is what they told us). I also have problem with this smell and I also have v6. So that guy told me that there is no problem with my car only gasoline I use is cousing that smell. I told him that I tried many different gas stations and odor is still there. He said there is nothing that they can do for me and that it is normal. It is not a big problem because it only stinks when I accelerate on highway. They also gave us some kind of note . Read nr 3.
The best solution for that would be to install dual exhaust tip like momo.75 did. And it looks nice too ;):
 

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It doesn't matter what that particular dealership is saying, Toyota has owned up to it and put out the Sulfur TSB. If they push back, you can remind them of that and make a call to Toyota customer service.

Since I've had mine done, I've smelled an odor but not anywhere near as bad as it was before. Well, the TSB is for 85K (I think) so you have time to take it in if your mood changes.

July
 
OK, I'm new here and just bought an '04 V-8...so what is the TSB problem that you are mentioning and how do I know if I have the problem? Thanks, Don
 
2004 4Runner V8 sulfur smell

I'm the new guy for today. Started reading all the info you people had and I had to join.
I just took our 4Runner in to the dealer today so they could perform the sulfur smell TSB. They replaced the convertor and recalibrated the ECU. I asked the service advisor if the recalibration would affect the performance of the vehicle and he told me everything would be the same. Well, let me tell you he was wrong!!! My 4Runner does not have the same performance it did this morning before the TSB was performed. Right now IT SUCKS!!!!! There is a hesitation off the line when you stomp on it and the acceleration is terrible. I used to be able to get up to 75 mph by the end of a specific on-ramp to the highway, but now this thing just reaches 60mph. The mid-range torque has seemed to disappear too. It used to take off when you would floor it @ 35-40 mph, now it's just a slug. The transmission shift points have even been affected. This thing shifts out of 1st gear by 10mph. What a dissappointment!! I'm ticked and calling this guy ASAP in the moring to get my performance back or else. This is B.S.!! I would rather deal with the sulfur smell than deal with this lack of performance. I paid extra for the V8 and I want my power back.
Has anyone else had this same problem?? I'm so ticked off right now. I wish I could take it back at this moment to get it fixed. Oh well, guess I have to wait until morning.
Thanks ahead of time for any info you can give me. I do like my 4Runner alot, but I just want the performance I was used too.
 
Re: 2004 4Runner V8 sulfur smell

Johnnytoyota said:
I would rather deal with the sulfur smell than deal with this lack of performance.
Click to expand...

This is exactly the type of problem I was worried about. I do not want to sacrafice performance. Since I don't ususally drive with the rear window down, I don't know if the getting the TSB is worth all the problems I've heard about.
 
As far as I know, this is the first report of decreased performance. I've had mine done, and it feels just as it did with my butt dyno.

Also, I would get the sulfur smell even with all my windows rolled up and the AC running. It was BAD, real BAD.
 
There is another thread on this subject and I too noticed a performance decrease immediately after the fix. Over a couple hundred miles, it seems to have worked itself out. I believe this is related to the on board computers haveing been reset and thus need to 'relearn/adapt' to driver behavior. Ultimately, I still think it's at least a bit of performance has been sacrificed in this fix -- but nothing as extreme as it was the during the first 100 miles afterward.
 
If in fact that is an issue as Rando mentioned, pulling the positive terminal for a few minutes and then reconnecting would reset everything and force the ECM to relearn the mappings.
 
sharp4runr said:
If in fact that is an issue as Rando mentioned, pulling the positive terminal for a few minutes and then reconnecting would reset everything and force the ECM to relearn the mappings.
Click to expand...

I know that used to be the case on most cars, but I thought that most newer cars now won't be affected by a temorary loss of power. Could be wrong, though. That's just what I've been told.
 
Here I am 200 miles later and the performance has slightly improved, but nothing like it used to be. I'm still very disappointed and need to get back to the dealer to get this handled. The shift points during cruising sppeds of 30-45 mph have even been changed it seems. There is no quick response like there used to be and no pull in that range. I have even noticed a 1-2 mpg decrease in fuel economy. I'm ticked at myself for having this TSB done. I hope they can fix it at the dealer or I am really considering trading it in on the 2005.
By the way, does anyone know how Toyota is getting 270hp on the '05 4runners. Is it a ECU difference or fuel/cam related. Just inquiring. Thanks for all the responses!!
 
We just bought an 05 sr5 v6 the egg smell is still there BUT i only notice it driving with the rear window down or if i walk behind the vehicle after a long trip and its more annoying than anything . Dealer says its normal and also gave me the "its the gas you use " line . BUt he ASLO said if i had it fixed i would lose "some performance " as he put it .I am not going to have it done . I like her the way she hauls ass now and if a litlle bad egg is all i have to put up with so be it . Maybe it will keep peeps from riding my ass in traffic !!!!! But i did just have a thought . Is there enough sulfur by-product getting thru to mess with the paint job ?
 
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