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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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#51 of 862 then instead of plain old H2S, they should have equipped by swschrad Aug 23, 2003 (6:33 pm)
the car to emit mercaptan (aka skunk juice.)
#52 of 862 rensho: by nedzel Aug 24, 2003 (7:11 am)
Read the owner's manual. It specifically tells you NOT to drive with the rear window down. When you drive with the rear window down, aerodynamics causes the exhaust to be sucked into the truck through the open rear window. Even if it didn't smell like sulfur, you would be breathing the odorless carbon monoxide.   Keep the rear window closed when you drive.
#53 of 862 Rotten egg smell by klaudnyc Aug 24, 2003 (7:27 am)
Bought a 2003 SE V6 3 weeks ago.   I just noticed the smell from my car yesterday when I did some highway driving with the tailgate window down. My back seat passengers complained of a really foul rotten egg smell. When I closed the tailgate window, it went away.   Some of you have compained of getting the smell with the windows rolled up. I haven't experienced that problem, fortunately.   But even so, what is the point of having a power tailgate window if you can't use it while driving? If Toyota doesn't do something (i.e. recall or post a TSB), I have to admit my trust in their name will be tarnished.
#54 of 862 klaudnyc by nedzel Aug 24, 2003 (7:57 am)
This isn't unique to the 4Runner. It is true of any vehicle with a back window. This is the well-known "station wagon" effect. It is simple aerodynamics. As the truck (or any station wagon) moves through the air, it creates an area of low pressure directly behind the vehicle. The air passing over the truck and under the truck will rush into the area directly behind the tail gate, as it tries to fill in the void behind the truck. Thus air from below the vehicle will curl up and into the truck if the back window is down.   This was as true of a 1960s station wagon as it is of the 4Runner today.   That is why, on page 29 of the 2003 4Runner's owners manual, there is a big yellow box labeled "Caution" that reads, in part: "Keep the back window closed while driving. This not only keeps the luggage from being thrown out but also prevents exhaust gases from entering the vehicle."   Why does the 4Runner have a power back window? I find it more convenient than the flip-out windows used in some competing trucks.
#55 of 862 CRV by rensho Aug 24, 2003 (10:14 am)
I did a 10 mi test drive with the rear window open ( to listen to the added noise) and never smelled sulfur once.   So does that mean, you can never carry long lumber home from the store, or anything else that needs to stick out the back without smelling rotten eggs?   As well as, people following you smelling it. I follow my friends in their new cars all the time going places. I never smell any terrible smells, as they not smell my 02 GTI. I didn't smell my friend's 96 4runner with the same open back window, open while driving. I bought this car specifically for my dog in order to carry her around so she can stick her head out the back. Otherwise, it would have been mdx, or rx300 all the way.
#56 of 862 Still smell with all windows up! by asdf Aug 24, 2003 (10:31 am)
We can still smell it with all the windows roll up! Could be worst if the tailgate down, but my point is they are all up, UP, closed, Circ ON.   In CA with 03 V8.
#57 of 862 rensho by nedzel Aug 24, 2003 (3:59 pm)
Even if you don't smell the rotten egg smell, you will get exhaust in the car. One major component of exhaust is carbon monoxide (CO). CO is colorless and odorless. And it is also poisonous.   Like it says in the manual, roll up the back window when you are driving. Otherwise you will get exhaust in the car. Whether it smells like sulfur or not, exhaust is bad for you.
#58 of 862 Nedzel by rensho Aug 24, 2003 (4:24 pm)
Thanks for the education. We didn't realize exhaust is bad for us... Yes, CO puts you to sleep and kills you.   My point is why does the 4runner emit so much sulfur smell? I'm a physicist. I can map out the vortex behind a 4runner travelling through the air very well. I understand the low/high pressure situation of the cabin and its relation to the opening of the back window WRT to exhaust coming in or not.   Maybe we should agree to disagree on the issue of whether or not I should be able to drive with the window down.
#59 of 862 if you have to drive with the tailgate down/open/smashed out by swschrad Aug 24, 2003 (6:22 pm)
turn up the blower all the way and use a fresh air setting.   under no circumstances whatsoever should exhaust get into a closed passenger compartment (he seethed, knowing full well that in traffic, the fumes from every other car in the road are pulled over the hood and into the car by the air intake.)   if you're by yourself on the road and you smell your stinky exhaust, that is a safety problem with your car that the dealer needs to remedy under warranty. again, tell him I HAVE A SAFETY ISSUE WITH EXHAUST GETTING INTO MY CAR and see if they look awake this time. they are supposed to wake up for safety concerns.
#60 of 862 rensho by nedzel Aug 25, 2003 (3:54 am)
You understand that exhaust gets into the car when driving with the back window down. The manual tells you not to do so. But you still think you should be able to do so? Ok, whatever.

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