Sulfur smell

Does anybody else think the smell of sulfur or whatever in the exhaust is more evident than it is with other cars? I particularly notice this when exiting the Vibe immediately after parking in the garage. I have a Grand Prix that I park in there, too, and the exhaust odor is almost non-existant with that one. Comments?

I notice that the sulfur smell is quite noticable. I've made an appointment for service on this although I get the feeling they are going to tell me it is "normal." I'm also having trouble with the outside temperature gauge reading 49F-51F regardless of the outside temp (right now in the teens). I wonder if these issues are related?

That sulfur smell is probably normal. I would say it has a pluged Cat. but it probably don't have many miles. Your temperature gauge needs reset.

I also have a problem with a sulphur smell, and no, I don't believe it is the gas. It is far too strong and other cars don't smell anywhere as close as bad as it can smell.

One thing I can do to reduce it is to recirculate air inside the car, a good idea if I come to a stop with the car facing up a hill. Then it becomes really foul smelling...

I'm surprised by the Matrix/Vibe forum going on about the gas, that is BS in my opinion. I can't help but wonder if non-gas type responses are being censored.

Everything else about my Matrix is fine though, and I've had it for about a year.

-John

After 3000 miles I have no suphur smell. If you have any suphur smell that is not normal. I assume you are using reasonable quality fuel. Definitely contact the dealer.

There was some information released to the dealers in January regarding this issue. You might want to give them a call and see what can be done or send me you VIN and I can check it out for you.

According to my dealer, the sulphur smell is normal and is a biproduct of the gas used, you can try different gases to limit the smell.

What pisses me off is why I wasnt told when dropping $45,000 on a new truck it was going to gag me when I drove it..

I had a 1990 mazda B2600 4x4 new and it did the same thing, Mazda denied the smell then one day said there was a recall.

I am seeing the dealer this weekend and going to ask the owner whos demo I bought why I wasnt informed of this. I had so many problems with my 2000 ZR2 and GM not helping me, I thought I would get a Toyota knowing they are quality... Guess I was mistaken on some points.


Clayton

I have a 2003 Toyota Corolla and when I first used it last winter, I noticed a suphur smell in the cabin. When I spoke to the dealer and Toyota's national customer service line they said they knew about it and could do nothing to fix it. They said it was the gas' fault.

I find that hard to believe since I have been in many cars new and old and never experienced this type of problem.

Any advice on what I can do?

Tom C.

Tom, I am going to the consumer branch on the issue with the 4runner, I didnt spend $45,000 to have it smell like someone is crapping eggs in the cab. Toyota knows of this, does nothing to inform the consumer and must be accountable for selling something knowing there will be an issue once the vehicle is signed over

Clayton

Clayton@vertigoperformance.com (My email)

are you using 91 octane are better every time?

According to my dealer, the sulphur smell is normal and is a biproduct of the gas used, you can try different gases to limit the smell.

What pisses me off is why I wasnt told when dropping $45,000 on a new truck it was going to gag me when I drove it..

I had a 1990 mazda B2600 4x4 new and it did the same thing, Mazda denied the smell then one day said there was a recall.

I am seeing the dealer this weekend and going to ask the owner whos demo I bought why I wasnt informed of this. I had so many problems with my 2000 ZR2 and GM not helping me, I thought I would get a Toyota knowing they are quality... Guess I was mistaken on some points.


Clayton

I also just bought a 04 4runner 3 months ago and can't stand the smell whenever I acclerate. I have brought it into the dealer 3 times and they replaced the catalytic converter and then told me there was nothing they could do as it is the gas additive used in NY, NJ and CT. I have the option of trying to use the lemon law but it is so much hassle. Have you found out anything else as a resolution? thanks

I have a 2003 Toyota Corolla and when I first used it last winter, I noticed a suphur smell in the cabin. When I spoke to the dealer and Toyota's national customer service line they said they knew about it and could do nothing to fix it. They said it was the gas' fault.

I find that hard to believe since I have been in many cars new and old and never experienced this type of problem.

Any advice on what I can do?

Tom C.

Tom,

I just purchased a 2003 Toyota Corolla and am experiencing the same problem. Can you tell me what measures you have taken to hopefully fix this problem? I would appreciate any help in the correct direction.

ceattlegeorge@hotmail.com

I've own a Vibe for well over a year and a half now and nevered had the smell. I have well over 6000k's (appox 3000 miles) now on it and not one problem. I've found though the vechile runs better if you install a K&N filter and a tornado air system and use semi-synthetic or full synthetic oil. Plus I notice a fuel savings of roughly 18%, and besides it also rasied the horses up about 20. It may not work for you. All I'm saying I notice a perforance gain. Not recommended if your on a lease

The sulfer smell is from the gas. We own a 2004 4Runner and we noticed the smell shortly after the second tank of fuel. I found a Tech Paper by googling the topic and found that the Toyota exhaust system requires a low sulfer fuel. Living in MN the only place I found it is the Blue Planet gasoline at Holiday Station Stores. We switched fuels and now rarely smell sulfer anymore.

From what I understand, in the future it will be mandated that all gasoline is low sulfer but for now only a few brands are in compliance. :screwy:

I Used To Have A 93 Ford Explorer That Put Out An Engine Code And Had The Sulfer Like Smell. The Problem Was The Mass Air Flow (maf) Sensor Which Is In The Air Intake Tube. After Replacing The Sensor The Sulfer Smell Went Away.

Now I Have An 03 Vibe With 54000 Miles That Has An Aftermarket Cold Air Intake That The Filter Was Rubbing And Got A Hole In It. The Engine Light Came On The Other Day And I Noticed The Sulfer Smell Which I Had Never Had A Problem With Before. I Pulled The Mass Air Flow Sensor Out And Cleaned It Off Carefully With A Q-tip And Some Alcohol, Then Reset The Code. The Check Engine Light Has Not Come Back On And I Dont Smell The Sulfer Any More.

Found the following statement on http://www.findarticles.comExhaust odor.
Had the same issue the first 6-8 months of owining my new 2003 Vibe, and was advised verbatim as below. The smell did go away - after about a year. I have always used the same gas station, so it is not the gas.

It won't be very long before the owner of a 2003 Pontiac Vibe comes wandering in, say, for an oil change, only to complain of a "rotten egg" smell emanating from the vehicle's exhaust. With a little prompting, he may tell you that the odor is most noticeable when coming to a stop, during hard accelerations or on vehicle startup. What can you do to help alleviate the problem? Nothing, because according to Pontiac, it isn't a problem at all!

Pontiac engineers say that a sulfur-type exhaust smell is a normal byproduct of efficient catalytic converter operation. Furthermore, the odor "is neither an indication of an engine concern nor the cause of reduced driveability or durability of an engine or any of its emissions components." The reason a sulfur odor is more pronounced on a newer vehicle, says Pontiac, is that the catalytic converter is operating at its maximum efficiency. As a vehicle ages, the odor will not occur as often or be as noticeable, as the converter's substrates deteriorate through normal aging.

You can help your customer deal with the situation by informing him that sulfur compounds are present in all fuels. Because some fuels contain more sulfur than others, however, suggest he by a few tankfuls of a different brand of gasoline to see if that has any noticeable effect on the odor. Finally, point out that conditions such as extended idling, hard braking, aggressive acceleration and long periods of wide-open throttle operation usually intensify cat odors. Staying out of these drive cycles, wherever possible, should help reduce the frequency and intensity of the odor.