TSB recall Sulfur smell is nauseating but only comes intermittently Need tips

[MICA4R]

I have 3000 miles left before my recall period ends. The TSB says the dealership has to "Reproduce" the smell.

Does anyone know how to consistently reproduce the SULFUR smell?

(rear window 1/2 way up with sunroof open with rear right pass window cracked used to be the stinkiest but now its random hit/miss) Should I seek out a crappy gas station?

thanx

 

[R.A.]

Putting the pedal to the medal like you're passing someone and then let off the gas works for me. With normal driving, the problem doesn't occur for me. It's when I accelerate hard, then I get the smell; I get it on acceleration but it's worse on deceleration. Yeah, have the side windows down so you can smell it better. It's not advisable to have the rear window down.

 

[WXman]

For what it's worth, EVERY Toyota car/SUV/truck that I have ever been behind while climbing a hill on the highway has stunk like rotten eggs to the point that I try to hold my breath and change lanes. Something about how Toyota designed their catalyst system just causes them to smell like ****. It's normal.

 

[R.A.]

For what it's worth, EVERY Toyota car/SUV/truck that I have ever been behind while climbing a hill on the highway has stunk like rotten eggs to the point that I try to hold my breath and change lanes. Something about how Toyota designed their catalyst system just causes them to smell like ****. It's normal.

I don't know if it's "normal", but it does seem like the Toyota T4R is one of the worst when it comes to the rotten egg odor.

My only problem with calling it "normal" is that it is not acceptable.

But not all Toyotas do it; however, the T4R is one of the worst I've seen.

I've been a Toyota fan for most of my life (55+ :driving: ). Quite possibly the T4R will be my last Toyota vehicle due to this "normal" condition. I wish people would stop calling this condition "normal", because most vehicles do not exhibit this behavior. I don't believe it is a "normal" or acceptable behavior for the vehicle to have a rotten egg odor.

 

[WillK]

under heavier acceleration, it's there. What makes it an issue for occupants is having the back window open. It just gets sucked into the vehicle.

I agree with R.A., it's not a "normal" smell. I've never smelled ( or at least noticed it) on any other car I've ever owned.
With my 01' T4R,it was hardly noticeable at any time, but on both 4th Gen's, it's very noticeable.

The one thing some have done to help reduce the problem for passengers is get the tailpipe relocated to a side exit, behind the rear tire. I plan on doing that as well.

 

[TheeMikeB]

Usually this smell comes from the catalytic converter. If there is a tsb, I would figure out how to reproduce the smell myself. Then take a service writer on a ride along with you and show him.

 

[Atlanta_man]

My exhaust system was replaced under warranty for this problem

Helped. But still there

 

[KingPrat]

Drive it on a long uphill with the back window down and sunroof open.

Works like a charm for me. :happens:

 

[WXman]

I don't know if it's "normal", but it does seem like the Toyota T4R is one of the worst when it comes to the rotten egg odor.

My only problem with calling it "normal" is that it is not acceptable.

But not all Toyotas do it; however, the T4R is one of the worst I've seen.

I've been a Toyota fan for most of my life (55+ :driving: ). Quite possibly the T4R will be my last Toyota vehicle due to this "normal" condition. I wish people would stop calling this condition "normal", because most vehicles do not exhibit this behavior. I don't believe it is a "normal" or acceptable behavior for the vehicle to have a rotten egg odor.

You are correct, most vehicles don't do it...which is the only reason people on this forum keep asking about it. It's a Toyota thing only. I've owned dozens of vehicles. This is my first Toyota ever. And like I said already, EVERY Toyota I get behind on the road chokes me to death. Trucks, SUVs, cars, doesn't matter if it's a Toyota you better believe that if they get on the throttle you're going to get a cabin full of sulfur.

 

[R.A.]

It's a Toyota thing only.

Not quite. Some Nissans are real about it too. Owned a Frontier for 10 years, 205K miles, was glad to get rid of it cause it stunk like rotten eggs it's entire life. It's embarrassing when you roll up to a light and people roll up their windows or wave their hand in front of their face.

Had a GM360 (Trailblazer and Rainier) and both of them did it too, but it wasn't very bad.

I've heard some Hondas are bad.

Sure it's the sulfur in the gas, but my only question to the vehicle manufacturers, especially to Toyota and Nissan, why do some vehicles stink worse than others?

My Nissan Frontier was worse than my Toyota T4R. It did it constantly.

The T4R only does it on hard acceleration/deacceleration. In normal driving I do not smell it.

Advice to the OP: When asked if it does it on acceleration or deaccleration, tell the service advisor both.

 

[MICA4R]

thanks for the replies.

for those of you that did the TSB replacment it did the dealer take your truck out for a spin?

 

[DaGimp]

Its from Running Rich with a Warm Catalytic converter. That smell is indicating unburnt fuel reaching the cat, it will also shorten the life of your cat.

Could be the result of a faulty or worn out 02 sensor.

 

[ldydoc]

Anyone have an ammonia smell?

 

[R.A.]

thanks for the replies.

for those of you that did the TSB replacment it did the dealer take your truck out for a spin?

I had 6 miles left on the cat warranty (TSB). I told the service advisor the problem, handled him the TSB, he asked if the odor occur on acceleration or deacceleration, told him both, and the mechanic "looked" at the car and parts were ordered. They drove the vehicle 1 1/2 miles. So if they drove it, it wasn't very far.

Your results may vary.

Replacing the cats help for about 2K miles, then the odor started coming back but not as severe. It helped though. In the forum, replacing the cats helped, for others it did not.

 

[R.A.]

Anyone have an ammonia smell?

Yeah, it's pretty much a common theme with cats. It's almost a "precursor" to rotten egg odor. Doesn't mean your cats are bad though. Nothing to worry about.

 

[MICA4R]

Anyone have an ammonia smell?

from the new clean diesels. yes all the time!

 

[MICA4R]

I had 6 miles left on the cat warranty (TSB). I told the service advisor the problem, handled him the TSB, he asked if the odor occur on acceleration or deacceleration, told him both, and the mechanic "looked" at the car and parts were ordered. They drove the vehicle 1 1/2 miles. So if they drove it, it wasn't very far.

Your results may vary.

Replacing the cats help for about 2K miles, then the odor started coming back but not as severe. It helped though. In the forum, replacing the cats helped, for others it did not.

thanks for the info. I'll get it done next month or so. Its really nauseating especially when I'm hauling lumbar and the tailgate or window is open. Thanks.

 

[delucat2]

try changing fuel

I bought my 2003 v-8 with 164,000 miles a year ago (177,000 on it now) and it stank like mad! Awuful. I buy fuel at COSTCO gas stations as a rule, and have not had the smell since about 2 months into my owning it. I didn't do a thing to it maintenance wise till about 6 months into owning it, so changing the oil or air filter wasn't it.

I do not drive the car hard, and the CPA nerd I bought it from didn't either (i'm a CPA, so I can say that).

I would think it may be a particular fuel or aditive in the fuel you run that causes the smell. It accumulates in the cat and burns off when the cat gets hot - or in my case after 2 minutes of warm up after sitting.

One hell of a truck man. That engine is good as new with 177,000 on it. Transmission is flawless. Only annoying thing is the rear end clunk, but with 177000, i'll live with it till something breaks.

 

[MICA4R]

One hell of a truck man. That engine is good as new with 177,000 on it. Transmission is flawless. Only annoying thing is the rear end clunk, but with 177000, i'll live with it till something breaks.

Thanks for the info. Any new tax loops penciled in this year's tax code? If you get a 2011+ they weigh >6k lbs you can deduct it for business use?

Clunk: if its worth it to you, you can buy a lexus driveshaft and replace yours. i believe you are out of your warranty period