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SUVs Toyota 4Runner Sulfur Smell from Toyota 4Runner
862 messages, Last post on Aug 20, 2009 at 3:48 PM
You are in the Toyota 4Runner Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester
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My new 04 Chevy Malibu also gave off the famous smell a few times. It was purchased in the SF Bay Area. If ever a car is tightly sealed it's this one. The last open door really has to be slammed in order to close it. So I haven't got a clue as to how the smell can enter the cabin. Somehow the smell must come in via the climate control vents and they are far from the tail pipe. The dealer filled up the tank with gas just before I took it off the lot. No doubt the cheapest there is. I'm happy to report that the smell is now gone after I filled up with a better known brand of gas. |
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Three conditions are necessary for "rotten egg" or hydrogen sulfide odor to be present in exhaust gasses: - Hot catalytic converter - Sulfur in the fuel - Rich air-fuel ratio, at least momentarily. Of these three, the quantity of sulfur present in the fuel is the most variable, and most difficult to control for both a vehicle manufacturer and a customer. High amounts of sulfur in fuel can cause not only a rotten egg odor in exhaust gasses, but also certain re-active sulfurs can corrode silver contacts in the fuel level sender, causing erroneous fuel gauge readings. At present, there is no EPA requirement for the level of sulfur in fuel, outside of the state of California, and the ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) specification limit is 1000 parts per million (PPM). To put that number into perspective, the current limit for sulfur in California phase 2 gasolines requires an average of less than 30 PPM. In 2004, the EPA will begin limiting the sulfur content in gasoline. In 2004, the EPA limit for the corporate average sulfur content will be 120 ppm, and no single gasoline can exceed 300 ppm (except for small refiner exemptions). By 2006, the corporate average will be limited to 30 ppm (the current California limit), with a maximum of 80 ppm (except for small refiner delays). California Phase 3 gasoline, which will be available next year, will have a maximum sulfur content of 15 ppm. In the absence of an identified vehicle condition, customers can be advised to temporarily change to a premium grade brand of fuel from a major supplier such as Shell, Exxon, Texaco or Chevron. Premium fuels in general have been found to have lower sulfur levels. However, even these suppliers can be susceptible in areas where base fuels are delivered either by pipeline or from the same refinery. TIP: Dealers should refrain from attempting repairs or replacing catalytic converters for odor complaints, unless there is a MIL indicating a part deficiency. - Thanks to Bob Furey and Jay Dankovich |
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I just bought my 2k4 Ltd V8 4Runner.. Does this mean I'll have to give up using cheap gas from Sam's?? I'd assume it is of a lesser grade then major brands. For the record everyone, I bought my 4Runner a few days ago and may, may have had a whiff once, but it was on hard acceleration, w/out recirc on. Then again, it was so faint, it may have been my imagination. So I'm VERY happy with the results and accompanying lack of smells thus far. |
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| Lovin' the Sienna so far! | |
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Just wondering if anyone experienced this problem. I own a 2003 4 Runner SR5 V8. Yes I get the occasional sulfer smell. Two weeks ago the check engine light came on and "VSC Trac" and "VSC off" lights came on and stayed on. I took it to the dealer (not my normal dealer) and they reported the following: Scan Tool retrieved DTC PO420 Tech. checked sensor data and all within spec. No corrections at this time. No problem found. The Technician simply reset the computer and the check engine light went off. Well today, the check engine light and VSC lights came back on again. I called the dealer and the tech told me that the code had to do with the catalytic converter. I asked him at what point do they decide that the converter should be replaced? He told me that I would have to bring it in and if the code was the same they would have to check the specs again. What specs? He stated the sensors worked with spec so doesn't that mean there is really a problem? What kind of sensors monitor the catalytic system? Also, I don't know if this is a coincidence or not, but my gas mileage went from an average of 18.5 MPG (combined city highway) to 16.2 MPG over the past couple of months. I use regular unleaded 87 octane. I tried different gasses, but it didn't seem to make a difference. Any help would be appreciated!
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to list "No problem found", but to have a trouble code (DTC PO420) is a flat out lie. The ONLY excuse I can see is if that DTC is for a loose fuel cap. Doesn't explain the traction control warning lights, though. I'd be having a discussion with the service manager. |
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| Have you checked the brake fluid? The VSC and Trac rely on modulating the brakes. There is a sensor in the reservoir that if the fluid is a little low (like when the brakes are 1/2 worn) that registers as a trouble code and disables the VSC and TRAC systems. There is one TSB for the VSC light staying on due to a logic error in the skid control computer. | |
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Replying to: fudge123 (Apr 05, 2004 4:39 am) |
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| If there is a A/F ratio or O2 sensor after the catalytic converter, then that is the monitor they were referring to. | |
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Purchase a new 2003 V6 basic 4 runner, no spoiler, about a year ago and have 19K miles on it now. The smell does not go away! Experienced the smell most recently while towing small trailer. Made the wife and kids moan and groan out load, it was that strong. A couple of weeks earlier experienced the same strong smell 3 or 4 times during a 3 hour trip from Mass up to New Hampshire, yet did not get it once coming back. Called Toyota hotline and they registered my complaint, suggesting I take it in to the dealer. They said they would notify the dealer of my pending visit. I hope they can help but I'm very pessamistic after reading almost all the previous posts on the subject. I have to say I was surprised that many posts didn't think it was much of a problem. To me it's very simple, A new car should not have that kind of smell, ever. I don't care about the gas, driving conditions, etc. These are all normal inputs that Toyota should have considered in building the 4 runner. You can't say that because the manual says don't drive with the rear window down Toyota is free and clear. Putting a rear window on a SUV, with dashboard controls, begs for it to be used. I work for a medical device company and in our risk analysis process we cannot dismiss things easily by saying we say don't do it in manual. IF we know operators will do something we need to have several layers of mitigation. Toyota needs to do more to solve this problem. To their credit, I had also experienced the sun roof rattle and they fixed it with no issue. I showed them the service bulletin I found on this site. Thanks for all the good info and keep it up. |
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