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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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Many 03-04 4Runner owners, including myself, drive with the rear cargo window open without experiencing any sulfur or apparently high levels of CO entering the cabin. The longest that I have driven with this window open is 1.5 hours, under varying speeds. I have used a CO tester, but I am not how accurate it is since it was made for home use and is not a professional tester. Apparently, the exhaust issue only affects some 4Runners, either with or without the rear cargo window being opened, which is perplexing. |
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Here's the V8 TSB. I do hope this helps you out. 4rnr http://www.toyota-4runner.org/attachment.php?s=124f3cec65e55127ce- 630d89cb99007e&postid=31585
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I have 04 4runner v8 Sport. Today Toyota dealership fixed the smell problem. They have changed the catalyst and reprogramed the computer. The smell is gone. I don't drive with rear window down, but smell still was entereing the cabin from time to time. Also I am tired of hearing on the street on the red light that my truck stinks like $***. No more bad stink and I can drive with side windows open. Schedule this repair. It takes few days to get parts in. I still have problem with: - sit being loose - vibration with RPM between 1800-2000 - vibrating breaks. |
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ANYONE would ever drive with the rear window down - makes no sense - guaranteed to suck in your exhaust and everyone else's. Sitting parked with all the windows down, sure - lowering the rear window to use the rear cargo area when loading, sure. I can't believe anyone with any education would think that you could drive with your rear window down on any vehicle with a movable rear window and NOT get exhaust sucked into the vehicle - sheesh... |
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"...ANYONE would ever drive with the rear window down - makes no sense - guaranteed to suck in your exhaust and everyone else's." There can be exceptions, like when hauling a long piece of lumber or other item that needs to stick out through the back window. I did that a lot of times when I owned an Explorer. I did close the window as much as possible and tied it down against the lumber, but I never did have a problem with exhaust getting in since Explorers have not had the sulfur issue. |
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After 9 months of Toyota denying that my 2003 Limited V6 4Runner was letting noxious fumes into the cabin, I think my problem has been solved. But I'm not sure what solved it. I started the Lemon Law procedures in Florida which includes allowing Toyota up to 10 days to fix the problem. After one week, the dealer called to say that they had thoroughly checked the vehicle but could still could not reproduce the problem. I figured I would have go all the way through the Lemon Law hearing. But since getting the car back last month, I have NOT smelled any of the fumes entering the cabin with the vents on recirculate. I'm not sure if Toyota fixed it and doesn't want to own up to it, or what ever was leaking sealed itself. I have no idea what fixed it, I'm just glad the situation has been corrected. I was considering trading the vehicle and taking an $8000 loss. My 4Runner was delivered 9 months ago and has about 13500 miles on it and I am just now starting to enjoy owning it. |
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Replying to: sequoiasoon (Jan 23, 2004 7:37 pm) Some may not smell exhaust in the cabin because their nose is not as sensitive as others. Maybe their truck does not emit the sulfur due to catalytic converter particulars, cleaner gas, tighter gaskets around the windows (so less gas gets in), etc. But the fact is that all 4runners are built pretty much the same (with minor manufacturing variance). This is a systemic problem, catbon monoxide getting into the cabin. All 4runner owners should be concerned. I originally taped up my vents to stop the exhaust from getting into my 4runner. That reduced a lot of it but did not completely eliminate it. Sometimes I still get the smell. I will soon divert the tailpipe to the side in hopes that it will help to eliminate much of the exhaust that gets trapped behind the truck in the vacuum created as the "box on wheels" travels at higher speeds. Have you ever drafted behind another vehicle before? Notice how you need less throtle to keep up and how the wind resistance decreases? It's the vacuum created by the vehicle in front of you. That vacuum sucks outside air into the cabin along the little spaces between rubber mouldings and glass, tail light assemblies, etc. I feel that the 4runner is a drafty truck, probably because of the roll down window and other non-airtight fixtures. With it's boxy shape it creates the vacuum that brings outside air into the cabin. The outside air right behind the truck is full of exhause because that is where the tailpipe is. People notice it because our 4runner has more rotten egg smell than the average vehicle. All these factors come together to cause the smell which created this forum. My concern is to eliminate the carbon monoxide that I know is present in my vehicle. Carbon monoxide poisoning can cause you to pass out at the wheel and crash. It also has a cumulative effect that can cause health effects and death later on in life. I care about my quality of life enough to try and fix my problem.
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Replying to: fl4runner (Jul 01, 2004 8:05 am) I honestly would like to see someone who has these complaints/concerns do a good and comparative test. |
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| As soon as I got out on the road after being at the Toyota service dept., I noticed that the "VSC Trac" and "VSC Off" warning lights were lit and stayed lit. I was hoping it would go away so I drove home, but since it was still lit I called the Toyota service dept. and alerted them.. They said I should bring it in tomorrow for them to look at. Has anyone else had this happen after going in for the exhaust fix under that new TSB? | |
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