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Sulfur Smell from Toyota 4Runner

862 messages,  Last post on Aug 20, 2009 at 3:48 PM

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What is this discussion about? Toyota 4Runner, Engine, Exhaust, Fuel System, SUV

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#1 of 862 Sulfur from 2003 4Runner by bob443 Jul 09, 2003 (6:18 am)
I recently bought a brand new 2003 Toyota 4Runner and can not believe that it is normal for my brand new SUV to smell of sulfur. I was advised that this was due to poor gas being provided in our area, however I have driven from NC to VA to OH to NY to PA and back to VA and then NC and tried different types of gas and octane levels in each state and it made no difference. I now have 5K on my SUV and the sulfur is just as bad as it was when I purchased it. Why is it that I do not smell the sulfur in other vehicles, but only mine? A friend just bought a brand new Ford Explorer and his SUV does not smell like sulfur. I have questioned the dealership about this and they are convinced that it is not the catalytic converter and that it is the quality of gas in America. Any suggestions? Replies to this message: cfd fireman (Nov 11, 2005 12:39 pm) dedhed (Oct 27, 2006 10:09 am) consumer14 (Jan 24, 2007 12:08 pm)
#2 of 862 bob443 by coolpop36 Jul 09, 2003 (9:15 am)
Your dealership is either full of idiots or they are trying to do one of the following - avoid fixing the problem or avoid telling you that there is no particular remedy at this time.   Do a little research and you'll see that the new V6 engines are having this problem. The quality of gas has nothing to do with this.   I was just about to buy a new V6 Limited, but now I'm waiting until the end of the year to get a 2004. Sorry about your problem, but hopefully Toyota will come out with a fix for it soon.
#3 of 862 bob443 sulfur by reddfish Jul 09, 2003 (10:08 am)
I had the same problem with my SR5 V8 (2003). Toyota would not and could not fix the problem. They blame the sulfur content in the gasoline in every state except CA. They have a TSB on this problem, ask your dealer for a copy.
#4 of 862 by sacstate1 Jul 09, 2003 (11:31 am)
Only had the sulfur smell twice with 2K miles. I found running Exxon/Mobil was a culprit. My dealer service manager just bought a '03 Runner for his wife. Said he has noticed the smell when he gets on the motor. So, at least a Toyota representative admits the problem.
#5 of 862 Sulfur by mcdawgg Jul 10, 2003 (5:39 am)
Many new cars have the sulfur smell, not just Toyota, so the gas could be the problem.
#6 of 862 Sulphur - all new cars by tim_hooligan Jul 10, 2003 (8:34 am)
Our new 2003 Accord made that same smell. My parents new 2003 CRV made the smell. Granted, after 8000 miles the smell has about 95% vansihed.   It's not just Toyota, I think it's the modern catalytic converter that's the culprit. If you read the forums around Edmunds for many many new cars, you will read about the same complaints.
#7 of 862 Most of the complaints by badgerfan Jul 10, 2003 (12:27 pm)
Seem to be on Toyotas with Hondas in second place.   I haven't read any discussions in Edmunds concerning this issue on other brands, and I tend to surf around Edmunds discussions quite a bit.   Oddly enough, I am old enough to remember this being an issue on the first generation of automobiles equipped with catalytic converters in the 70's. I have not had a car since that has had this issue, but then I have never owned a Toyota or Honda.   Are both these brands using some different emissions control strategies or catalysts that are different from the others?
#8 of 862 by Mr_Shiftright HOST Jul 11, 2003 (10:49 pm)
This is sulphur dioxide you are smelling. Either it's in the fuel or you've got a problem with the car (defective catalytic or over rich fuel mixture) or you drive like a maniac. Any of those will cause this.
#9 of 862 sulfur dioxide by reddfish Jul 13, 2003 (7:29 pm)
sulfur dioxide is harmful to children and older people with asthma. If it's coming thru your a/c vents, it's a health issue.
#10 of 862 by q45man Jul 14, 2003 (4:55 am)
Many of US refineries were designed to process crude from high Sulfur oil and thus need feed stocks from garbage oil countries whose oil is cheaper than high quality feed stocks. The disruptions of oil from Venezuela have lead to changes. Plus with new low sulfur regs coming out soon the refineries have rushed to use up all the cheaper garbage oil in the world.   The other problem is the new LEV catalyst which are more efficient but more tempermental as to gasoline quality.   Ever wonder what the phrase sweet crude means.

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