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Toyota Highlander Maintenance and Repair

5314 messages,  Last post on May 18, 2013 at 5:41 AM

You are in the Toyota Highlander Forum.

What is this discussion about? Toyota Highlander, SUV

Messages Page 332 of 532

#3306 of 5314 Re: 05 highlander bad smell problem [05highlander05] by hylyner

Jan 14, 2006 (8:50 am)

Replying to: 05highlander05 (Jan 14, 2006 12:43 am)
Don't be too quick to jump all over Toyota on this one. Some folks don't look to deeply into these kinds of problems and end up making all kinds of accusations which aren't warranted.
Here's some additional info about this rotten egg smell.
I read recently where there's a Class Action Law Suit against Shell about a mistake they made in a huge batch of gasoline that was refined and marketed in a wide area of the northern US and in Canada. Among other things it caused a rotten egg smell from engine exhausts. It also damaged a whole bunch of emission control components in a great many instances. Might be worth a follow up. Look it up on the web. This issue has a lot more to do with fuel than it does with users. It bummed out a ton of owners and got them all steamed up against their automakers to issue TSBs and replace components, but it turns out it wasn't the automaker's fault after all.
 
A few years ago there was another CA Suit against Shell in Quebec Canada for the same thing. Here's a short news article on that one:
 
"A class action lawsuit against Shell was authorized for consumers in Québec on July 18, 2003.
 
From March 2001 to March 2002, Shell included an additive to its regular-grade "Bronze" gasoline that damaged the fuel supply system of many vehicles. Shell estimated that between 100,000 and 200,000 consumers bought "Bronze" gas during that period; the exact number of adversely affected vehicles remains unknown, however the number of incidents reported is highly significant. The most commonly damaged vehicles are from the Toyota, Acura, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, General Motors, Hyundai and Volvo brands.
 
Update:
 
In July 2004 the Superior Court of Quebec approved a settlement in the class action filed on behalf of consumers who purchased regular-grade Shell gasoline from early 2001 to early 2002. The settlement completed the voluntary reimbursement program undertaken earlier by Shell Canada. The closing date for claims in the Shell class action was November 5, 2004.
  
  
 

#3307 of 5314 Re: 04 Highlander V6 steering wheel "clunk" sensation [mckeown] by jrhfla

Jan 14, 2006 (10:19 am)

Replying to: mckeown (Jan 08, 2006 3:17 pm)
Thanks to all who have responded to my SOS. The loose U-joint sounds like the culprit. I'll return my HL to my dealership for visit # 2 and I'll let you all know the results.

#3308 of 5314 Re: 05 Highlander Hesitation & Shifting Problems [scoti1] by frogg

Jan 14, 2006 (3:53 pm)

Replying to: scoti1 (Jan 13, 2006 1:23 pm)
The problem is mainly noticed on accel., especially from a stop, as you accelerate through 2nd & 3rd. If things were right, the trans should "step" into the next gear. What happens: The trans comes out of the lower gear, the engine RPM moves noticeably higher, then the trans "slides" into the next gear. And, yes, the computer reset was the TSB fix.

#3309 of 5314 Re: 05 highlander bad smell problem [05highlander05] by landdriver

Jan 14, 2006 (6:04 pm)

Replying to: 05highlander05 (Jan 14, 2006 12:43 am)
The rotten egg smell is typically caused by a bad catalytic converter.
 
Perhaps the windshield defogger chemical smell is due to a coolant leak in the heater core? Open the coolant reserve tank in the engine compartment and see if the smell is the same.

#3310 of 5314 Re: 05 highlander bad smell problem [landdriver] by hylyner

Jan 14, 2006 (6:45 pm)

Replying to: landdriver (Jan 14, 2006 6:04 pm)
The rotten egg smell is typically caused by a bad catalytic converter. WRONG!!
I think upwards of 200,000 owners who had their emission control systems damaged because of bad gasoline (from Shell) might not agree with that claim. The Class Action suit is testimonial to their validity.
Which came first; damaged catalytic converters, or bad fuel?

#3311 of 5314 Re: 05 highlander bad smell problem [hylyner] by scoti1

Jan 14, 2006 (7:37 pm)

Replying to: hylyner (Jan 14, 2006 6:45 pm)
Well, I had the rotten egg/sulfur smell, read about the Toyota TSB for replacement of the catalytic converter here on Edmunds, asked my dealer about it, they replaced the catalytic converter and, voila, no more rotten egg smell. No change in gas, I have never frequented Shell gas stations and live in the southeast. It is a free repair under the extended emissions warranty, so I suggest that anyone having the problem, get this done. A lot simpler than joining a class action lawsuit against Shell oil, isn't it? And it is what Toyota identified as the root of their specific problem.

#3312 of 5314 Re: 05 Highlander Hesitation & Shifting Problems [frogg] by scoti1

Jan 14, 2006 (7:44 pm)

Replying to: frogg (Jan 14, 2006 3:53 pm)
You may want to check out the "Toyota-Lexus transaxle shift delay" forum. Your problem is being discussed there without you even being present
 
A couple of folks that have been following this for sometime (wwest, user777) may be able to give you some suggestions. wwest mentioned that he has read of some having the slipping problem after having the TSB performed and had the TSB reversed to eliminate the problem. In that circumstance, you would have to determine which is the least annoying or hazardous problem, the hesitation or the slipping, and just live with it.

#3313 of 5314 Re: 05 highlander bad smell problem [scoti1] by hylyner

Jan 15, 2006 (4:52 am)

Replying to: scoti1 (Jan 14, 2006 7:37 pm)
For sure, everyone loves a freebie. I'm pleased what was good for you worked for you. All things considered, what's right for one isn't always right for everyone else. What I tried to say is there's more than one solution for rotten egg smell. It isn't an exclusively Toyota caused as you had implied. It isn't always only the cat converter either. Those who propose solutions should do more homework before pointing fingers. That's all.

#3314 of 5314 Re: 05 highlander bad smell problem [hylyner] by jessealan

Jan 15, 2006 (10:34 am)

Replying to: hylyner (Jan 15, 2006 4:52 am)
The bad smell in my new highlander is like a burning rubber smell, not rotten egg. I have 600 miles. The dealer said it is just chemicals burning off. Its pretty annoying, but the dealer said to wait and it will go away. I posted earlier it was gone but I was mistaken.

#3315 of 5314 Vibration 2003 Highlander by denniso

Jan 15, 2006 (12:22 pm)

I noticed vibration on my front left tire when driving from a cold condition. After driving about 1/4 mile I no longer noticed it (after it warmed up?. Can anyone tell me what the possible problem is? bearings?

Messages Page 332 of 532

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