Honda Car Forum

My '03 RSX has the typical 'rotten egg' exhaust smell (6500 miles), but from
time to time, I smell it inside the passenger compartment. Anyone else have
that occur? I guess I'll see if I can get it into the dealer for a checkup.
Just wondering if its a common problem.
BK
--

On Fri, 14 Nov 2003 16:15:44 -0600, "bk" <miatabill@yahoo.com> wrote:

>My '03 RSX has the typical 'rotten egg' exhaust smell (6500 miles), but from
>time to time, I smell it inside the passenger compartment. Anyone else have
>that occur? I guess I'll see if I can get it into the dealer for a checkup.
>Just wondering if its a common problem.

Sombody in the rec.autos.tech newsgroup was griping about that.
Are you sure it isn't from the car ahead of you? It's caused by gas
that has a high sulfur content.

Someone responded by posting a copy of a Toyota dealer's service
bulletin on the subject--

************************
Exhaust System - Sulfur Smell
ENGINE
EG003-03

February 24, 2003
Title:
SULFUR ODOR FROM EXHAUST
Models:
All Models

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 decreased through the refining process. The amount of sulfur in
fuel sold in California 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's tailpipe does not necessarily
indicate that there is an issue with the engine's running 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 will therefore not be
considered warrantable.

*******************

Where are you? Starting Jan. 1st, 2005, all gas sold in Canada must
contain less than 30 ppm of sulfur. MacEwen in eastern Canada was
selling low sulfur gas for a while but that stopped last fall
sometime. Sulfur contents of 300 ppm are common and 700 ppm has been
found in Esso gas in Ontario I hear.

Here is a copy of GM's latest info regarding rotten egg smell


Rotten Egg" Exhaust Odor Three conditions are necessary for "rotten egg" or
hydrogen sulfide odor to be present in exhaust gasses:
- Hot catalytic converter
- Sulfur in the fuel
- Rich air-fuel ratio, at least momentarily.

Of these three, the quantity of sulfur present in the fuel is the most
variable, and most difficult to control for both a vehicle manufacturer and
a customer.

High amounts of sulfur in fuel can cause not only a rotten egg odor in
exhaust gasses, but also certain re-active sulfurs can corrode silver
contacts in the fuel level sender, causing erroneous fuel gauge readings.

At present, there is no EPA requirement for the level of sulfur in fuel,
outside of the state of California, and the ASTM (American Society for
Testing and Materials) specification limit is 1000 parts per million (PPM).
To put that number into perspective, the current limit for sulfur in
California phase 2 gasolines requires an average of less than 30 PPM.

In 2004, the EPA will begin limiting the sulfur content in gasoline. In
2004, the EPA limit for the corporate average sulfur content will be 120
ppm, and no single gasoline can exceed 300 ppm (except for small refiner
exemptions). By 2006, the corporate average will be limited to 30 ppm (the
current California limit), with a maximum of 80 ppm (except for small
refiner delays). California Phase 3 gasoline, which will be available next
year, will have a maximum sulfur content of 15 ppm.

In the absence of an identified vehicle condition, customers can be advised
to temporarily change to a premium grade brand of fuel from a major supplier
such as Shell, Exxon, Texaco or Chevron. Premium fuels in general have been
found to have lower sulfur levels. However, even these suppliers can be
susceptible in areas where base fuels are delivered either by pipeline or
from the same refinery.

TIP: Dealers should refrain from attempting repairs or replacing catalytic
converters for odor complaints, unless there is a MIL indicating a part
deficiency.

Kevin
GM Tech
Acura RSX-S owner


"John Ings" <nodamned@spam.org> wrote in message
newserarvsm6dd7vj2agpcgosl7c8e7d45qd4@4ax.com...
> On Fri, 14 Nov 2003 16:15:44 -0600, "bk" <miatabill@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
> >My '03 RSX has the typical 'rotten egg' exhaust smell (6500 miles), but
from
> >time to time, I smell it inside the passenger compartment. Anyone else
have
> >that occur? I guess I'll see if I can get it into the dealer for a
checkup.
> >Just wondering if its a common problem.
>
> Sombody in the rec.autos.tech newsgroup was griping about that.
> Are you sure it isn't from the car ahead of you? It's caused by gas
> that has a high sulfur content.
>
> Someone responded by posting a copy of a Toyota dealer's service
> bulletin on the subject--
>
> ************************
> Exhaust System - Sulfur Smell
> ENGINE
> EG003-03
>
> February 24, 2003
> Title:
> SULFUR ODOR FROM EXHAUST
> Models:
> All Models
>
> 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 decreased through the refining process. The amount of sulfur in
> fuel sold in California 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's tailpipe does not necessarily
> indicate that there is an issue with the engine's running 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 will therefore not be
> considered warrantable.
>
> *******************
>
> Where are you? Starting Jan. 1st, 2005, all gas sold in Canada must
> contain less than 30 ppm of sulfur. MacEwen in eastern Canada was
> selling low sulfur gas for a while but that stopped last fall
> sometime. Sulfur contents of 300 ppm are common and 700 ppm has been
> found in Esso gas in Ontario I hear.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

My concern is that I'm smelling it inside the cabin...and wonder if exhaust
is somehow getting in. The smell outside the car doesn't bother me.

--

> Here is a copy of GM's latest info regarding rotten egg smell
>
>
> Rotten Egg" Exhaust Odor Three conditions are necessary for "rotten egg"
or
> hydrogen sulfide odor to be present in exhaust gasses:
> - Hot catalytic converter
> - Sulfur in the fuel
> - Rich air-fuel ratio, at least momentarily.
>
> Of these three, the quantity of sulfur present in the fuel is the most
> variable, and most difficult to control for both a vehicle manufacturer
and
> a customer.
>
> High amounts of sulfur in fuel can cause not only a rotten egg odor in
> exhaust gasses, but also certain re-active sulfurs can corrode silver
> contacts in the fuel level sender, causing erroneous fuel gauge readings.
>
> At present, there is no EPA requirement for the level of sulfur in fuel,
> outside of the state of California, and the ASTM (American Society for
> Testing and Materials) specification limit is 1000 parts per million
(PPM).
> To put that number into perspective, the current limit for sulfur in
> California phase 2 gasolines requires an average of less than 30 PPM.
>
> In 2004, the EPA will begin limiting the sulfur content in gasoline. In
> 2004, the EPA limit for the corporate average sulfur content will be 120
> ppm, and no single gasoline can exceed 300 ppm (except for small refiner
> exemptions). By 2006, the corporate average will be limited to 30 ppm (the
> current California limit), with a maximum of 80 ppm (except for small
> refiner delays). California Phase 3 gasoline, which will be available next
> year, will have a maximum sulfur content of 15 ppm.
>
> In the absence of an identified vehicle condition, customers can be
advised
> to temporarily change to a premium grade brand of fuel from a major
supplier
> such as Shell, Exxon, Texaco or Chevron. Premium fuels in general have
been
> found to have lower sulfur levels. However, even these suppliers can be
> susceptible in areas where base fuels are delivered either by pipeline or
> from the same refinery.
>
> TIP: Dealers should refrain from attempting repairs or replacing catalytic
> converters for odor complaints, unless there is a MIL indicating a part
> deficiency.
>
> Kevin
> GM Tech
> Acura RSX-S owner
>
>
> "John Ings" <nodamned@spam.org> wrote in message
> newserarvsm6dd7vj2agpcgosl7c8e7d45qd4@4ax.com...
> > On Fri, 14 Nov 2003 16:15:44 -0600, "bk" <miatabill@yahoo.com> wrote:
> >
> > >My '03 RSX has the typical 'rotten egg' exhaust smell (6500 miles), but
> from
> > >time to time, I smell it inside the passenger compartment. Anyone else
> have
> > >that occur? I guess I'll see if I can get it into the dealer for a
> checkup.
> > >Just wondering if its a common problem.
> >
> > Sombody in the rec.autos.tech newsgroup was griping about that.
> > Are you sure it isn't from the car ahead of you? It's caused by gas
> > that has a high sulfur content.
> >
> > Someone responded by posting a copy of a Toyota dealer's service
> > bulletin on the subject--
> >
> > ************************
> > Exhaust System - Sulfur Smell
> > ENGINE
> > EG003-03
> >
> > February 24, 2003
> > Title:
> > SULFUR ODOR FROM EXHAUST
> > Models:
> > All Models
> >
> > 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 decreased through the refining process. The amount of sulfur in
> > fuel sold in California 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's tailpipe does not necessarily
> > indicate that there is an issue with the engine's running 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 will therefore not be
> > considered warrantable.
> >
> > *******************
> >
> > Where are you? Starting Jan. 1st, 2005, all gas sold in Canada must
> > contain less than 30 ppm of sulfur. MacEwen in eastern Canada was
> > selling low sulfur gas for a while but that stopped last fall
> > sometime. Sulfur contents of 300 ppm are common and 700 ppm has been
> > found in Esso gas in Ontario I hear.
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>

When you experience a "rotten egg" smell inside your vehicle's passenger
compartment, it usually means one thing: you farted!