I have been noticing a sulfur/rotten eggs smell coming from my car when I am cruising on the highway in low RPMs 2-3K. I mostly happens when I am going up longer up hill sections. And it doesn't happen all the time. Only when driving slower, which if often lately due to gas prices. I know that smell comes from the cataltic converter, but I don't know what is causing it. Has anyone else had this happen. Any suggestions to what is causing it.

 

Found this with a quick google search:

"The "rotten egg" sulfur smell is usually generated by high temperatures in the catalytic converter caused by excess unburned fuel going through the exhaust. The converter oxidizes this fuel, which generates the heat, and the high heat generates the smell. An occasional whiff of this smell upon start-up or momentarily at idle isn't necessarily a problem. In fact, it indicates the catalytic converter is doing its job in preventing unburned fuel vapors from reaching the atmosphere. But of course, the concern is what's causing the higher percentage of unburned fuel from the engine.

From a practical point of view, I'd have a shop or the dealer plug in a scan tool and check the PCM -- powertrain control module -- for fault codes or a false signal from the coolant sensor, or evidence that the thermostat might not be allowing the engine to reach full operating temperature."

 

Hm, odd for a new car... dealer it man. Warranty.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Demonis &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Hm, odd for a new car... dealer it man. Warranty.</TD></TR></TABLE>

 

Yeah, I have this slightly... not a big deal for me, not that strong.

It's very very rare, however, and I read it was somewhat normal...

/shrug

 

Yeah I am making an appointment for the tranny next week, Ill have them look into this also.

 

Its not too strong for me either. And going up hills on the highway in the low RPMs is the only time I notice it, so I didn't think it was a big deal either. But since it is going to the dealership anyways I will have them check it.

 

thats gross.. i remember when i burnt my clutch out on my crx it smelt like rotten fish lol

 

I've always smelled that w/ all my new cars, my mom's even did that. It usually happened in WOT. I won't worry about it.

-Nick

 

Theres nothing the dealer can do, its a natural chemical reaction.