Sulfur Smell from Toyota 4Runner

Replying to: beach_girl (Apr 21, 2006 7:30 pm)

Backing up / then "moving forward"
 
>>
TSB EG003-03
 
Introduction:
Some owners of Toyota vehicles may experience a sulfur like or rotten egg odor from the exhaust system. Sulfur is a natural component of crude oil from which gasoline is refined and the amount of sulfur can be decreases through the refining process. The amount of sulfur in fuel in CA is regulated, however gasoline sold in other states can have substantially higher sulfur content. Sulfur content also varies considerably between gasoline brands and locations.
 
Applicable vehicles:
All models
 
Repair procedure:
A sulfur odor emitted from the vehicle tailpipe does not necessarily indicate that there is an issue with the engine’s condition, but is most likely directly related to the fuel. If the vehicle is exhibiting an excessive sulfur odor, the following checks should be performed:
 
If the MIL light is ON, check for DTCs and repair as necessary
 
If no trouble is found after performing the above check, recommend the customer try a different source of fuel.
 
Replacement of oxygen sensors, air/fuel ratio sensors or catalytic converters will not reduce the odor and therefore will not be considered warrantable.
>>
 
That was amended with:
http://www.autosafety.org/Toyota%2003-04%204Runner%20Catalyst.pdf
 
And for the V8 there is this:
TSB: EG020-04:
Title: Excessive Sulfur Dioxide Odor
Models: '03-'04 4Runner (2UZ-FE)
Date: June 14, 2004
 
Google with the following to get a copy:
+"4Runner (2UZ-FE)" +sulfur

Replies to this message:
• beach_girl (Apr 22, 2006 6:28 am)
  • user777 (Apr 23, 2006 4:27 am)
    • beach_girl (Apr 23, 2006 7:17 am) and 3 more...

Replying to: user777 (Apr 22, 2006 3:49 am)

Replies to this message:
• user777 (Apr 23, 2006 4:27 am)
  • beach_girl (Apr 23, 2006 7:17 am)
    • user777 (Apr 23, 2006 5:38 pm) and 2 more...

Replying to: beach_girl (Apr 22, 2006 6:28 am)

I believe the last TSB which I suggested you google (read and print it!) indicates that the applicable vehicles are those with that engine, V8, 2WD and 4WD which were produced BEFORE the VINs listed (the word BEFORE being important to you).
 
Are you sure sure your VIN doesn't fall into the range convered by the TSB? It implies that for vehicles of the provided VINs moving forward in production, there is no issue (implying they caught it and fixed it or had otherwise switched parts), but for those *BEFORE* the VINs listed, there is the issue.
 
OK, I'm not a VIN decoder expert. I may be wrong.

Replies to this message:
• beach_girl (Apr 23, 2006 7:17 am)
  • user777 (Apr 23, 2006 5:38 pm)
    • beach_girl (Apr 27, 2006 4:59 pm) and 1 more...

Replying to: user777 (Apr 23, 2006 4:27 am)

Is there such a thing as VIN decoder expert?
 
OK - I re-read the printed TSB you provided and yes, I would think my 300-series VIN would come before the 400-series VIN but without my decoder ring I can't be sure.
 
We have a new Toyota dealership here in SoCal so maybe I will give them a call for my next service.
 
Thanks again.

Replies to this message:
• user777 (Apr 23, 2006 5:38 pm)
  • beach_girl (Apr 27, 2006 4:59 pm)
    • user777 (Apr 27, 2006 6:59 pm)

Replying to: beach_girl (Apr 23, 2006 7:17 am)

umm, yeah - anybody in the biz of buying, selling, or insuring cars is probably pretty good at it.
 
here is some information:
http://www.autohausaz.com/html/vehicle_identification_numbers.html
  

Replies to this message:
• beach_girl (Apr 27, 2006 4:59 pm)
  • user777 (Apr 27, 2006 6:59 pm)

Replying to: scoti1 (Apr 19, 2006 4:10 am)

Replies to this message:
• merolle (Oct 28, 2006 9:46 am)

Replying to: user777 (Apr 23, 2006 5:38 pm)

Hi -- wanted to let you know I contacted Toyota 1-800-331-4331, and questioned them about the TSB and I was told that my vehicle does not fall within the parameters of it but they would go ahead and open a case where the dealership needs to respond to corporate within three business days. My dealership called me 4 hours later and they've ordered the new catalytic converter and will replace it once the parts have arrived. The service manager was very helpful and polite. He'll also be ordering my new visors since my 4Runner is part of Campaign 30G where certain vehicles did not receive vanity mirrors on their visors. I thought it was kind of weird there were no mirrors but I never questioned it -- but Toyota Corp in California did and now I get my mirrors -- I'm so vain!!
Thanks--

Replies to this message:
• user777 (Apr 27, 2006 6:59 pm)

Replying to: beach_girl (Apr 27, 2006 4:59 pm)

well, i told you i was no VIN master!
 
it's nice to see the company is doing right by a good customer, vain or not.

Replies to this message:
• beach_girl (May 01, 2006 10:36 am)
  • nj4runner (May 02, 2006 11:47 am)
• lovewalleye (Jul 12, 2006 7:55 am)

Replying to: nj4runner (May 01, 2006 10:06 am)

Replies to this message:
• nj4runner (May 02, 2006 11:47 am)