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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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#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.
#11 of 862 sulfur content by reddfish Jul 14, 2003 (6:26 am)
Toyota's TSB on the sulfur says that CA is the only state that requires the lower sulfur content in gasoline. Toyota corporate says all states should be compliant by 2005. So your choices are to live with the smell if you have it, drive to California for fuel, or wait until 2005 to buy your Toyota 4runner.
#12 of 862 Sulfur Smell by chesterz Jul 14, 2003 (9:02 am)
I bought my 4Runner a few months ago, and just this past weekend detected a faint sulfur smell. I noticed it after put my foot to the floor from a standing start. (I won't apologize for doing that, I was getting ahead of a kid in a beat up Camero who had cut me off.) This is the only time I have noticed anything like that with the truck.   I have noticed other postings about the smell, and some people detect it all of the time.   I will continue to watch for it.

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