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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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#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.
#13 of 862 Smell during heavy acceleration by corancher Jul 14, 2003 (9:54 am)
I'm not sure it's been recommended in this thread yet, but those interested should consider searching and reviewing the main 4Runner discussion. There's a ton of smell discussion there, including the fact that many (most? all?) of the 4Runners and other recent catalyst-equipped vehicles will smell during and immediately after heavy acceleration. I, for one, posted instructions for an easy experiment to try to produce and detect the smell.   It's apparently due to the burn-off of the sulfur deposits in the converters which primarily occurs during heavy acceleration. The V8s seem to have the problem more frequently, but the V6s and many other models & makes have it too. I wonder if the difference between the V6 and V8 models is related to the fact (if I understand it correctly) that the V6 uses 4 catalysts and the V8 uses 3? It seems like significant and/or frequent production of the smell requires a set of conditions (including fuel and engine operating regime) that most people don't get into too often. On the other hand, some folks have reported experiencing it all the time, even with the windows rolled up and with fresh air coming into the cabin. That's a real puzzler, and I haven't heard an adequate explanation.
#14 of 862 exhaust noise on acceleration by jstanist Jul 28, 2003 (3:35 pm)
I not only get a sulfur smell from my '03 v-6 but also a lot of detonation noise on acceleration does anyone get this noise as well?
#15 of 862 Detonation noise? by corancher Jul 28, 2003 (3:44 pm)
True detonation can damage an engine very quickly, and the 4Runner (and most/all modern engines) have sensors and computer software to prevent it. I haven't heard this kind of noise, and suggest you take a drive with your dealer's service manager right away to make sure you don't have a serious problem.
#16 of 862 jstanist by terrafirma Jul 29, 2003 (3:01 am)
I think you are talking about the rattling sound during acceleration. That is normal and because they didn't make the manifold thick enough to insulate the sound away. It's not harmful in anyway. It sounds a bit out of place because otherwise it is so refined but it's not a problem.
#17 of 862 thanks by jstanist Jul 29, 2003 (2:44 pm)
#18 of 862 thanks by jstanist Jul 29, 2003 (2:46 pm)
Thanks for the responses I don't think it's true detonation noise but sounds more like a rolling "D" on on acceleration. If this is normal it's to bad because your right the vehicle is otherwise very refined
#19 of 862 Technical Analysis Sulfur Smell by tacoviva Aug 07, 2003 (6:41 am)
I've done some research in to the problem and here's what I am presenting at my Lemon Law hearing....   I feel that the condition of the vehicle presents a real health and safety issue. To truly determine if it is I must answer the following questions. What gas is entering the vehicle compartment? How much? Is it hazardous?   Identify the gas that’s entering the vehicle compartment.   Answer: Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) is formed when fuel containing sulfur is burned.   How much?   Answer: It turns out that Sulfur Dioxide has an odor threshold. What this means is that if you can smell it, the concentration can be determined. According to the Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety, the instant you smell Sulfur Dioxide the concentration is known to be 3-5 ppm (parts per million).   Ref: Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety   What does Sulfur Dioxide do to the occupants? Answer: High concentrations of sulfur dioxide can result in temporary breathing impairment for asthmatic children and adults who are active outdoors. Short-term exposure: o reduced lung function o wheezing o chest tightness o shortness of breath Long-term exposure: o respiratory illness o alterations in the lungs' defenses o aggravation of existing cardiovascular disease People affected include children, the elderly, and those with cardiovascular disease or chronic lung disease.   Ref: http://www.adb.org/vehicle-emissions/General/Health-sulfur.asp   Is this a hazardous condition? Answer: Yes. According to OSHA, The STEL (Short Term Exposure Limit) is limited to 5 ppm over 15 minutes of exposure. Therefore, if the odor threshold is 3-5 ppm and the STEL is 5 ppm, then if the smell is present in the vehicle for 15 minutes of driving, then the Government standard for exposure has been exceeded. This has occurred multiple times since delivery of the vehicle. Ref: Safety and Health for Engineers, Roger L. Bauer, ISBN 047128632-X   About myself, I’m employed by XXXXXXXXX in FT. Worth, Texas. While employed here I’ve dedicated a considerable amount of time as a Safety Engineer performing analyses such as this for the various programs. This data used in this analysis is readily available and well documented. Sincerely,   Stephen XXXXXXXXX   To all that need this, please use it.

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