Part Description help.

[ONE_to_HATE]

OKAY; my quest to get rid of the sulfur smell is a losing battle on my side. I replaced the o2 sensor;spark plugs; increased the diameter of the exhaust pipes to pass exhaust more efficient, and i even switched out exhaust manifolds because i was initially told by the toy tech that its more than probable that its the culprit.

Well; about $500 worth of hit n' miss- im running out of options and money for this hunt.

I came across this post.. anyone can clarify what part this person is talking about? and also; i welcome new ideas.

thanks for the time.

1st Aug 2003, 07:57


Last month, I began to notice a rancid sulfur smell while accelerating. I suspected the O2 sensor, although I'm not sure a faulty sensor would produce this effect. (anyone??)
The light is currently off. We took in the Camry for a check on struts and shocks (they were fine), and had them plug in the engine to the computer. Although the light is not on right now, the computer identified the O2 sensor as the source of the light previously (although no such info was stored in the computer last year). As for the smell, they identified a leak in the exhaust into the trunk (a vent of some kind) and fixed it, NOT the O2 sensor as the problem.

[dc_98_cam]

Not sure about the vent or trunk leak part, but you shouldn't be detecting a sulfur smell in the exhaust gas. The sulfur might be coming from your catalytic converter, which has somehow been contaminated. The following Wiki article give an idea as to how the cat can become contaminated ...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catalytic_converter
see Catalyst Poisoning and deactivation section

Are you just taking short trips when you drive, without letting the engine get up to normal operating temperature? Are you using any fuel, oil, or lubricant additives? ... Anything else that might be a possible cause?

Maybe there's a local muffler shop that could give you an idea.

[eurohazard]

Wow, the number one thing to look for if you have the "sulfur smell" is the catalytic converter.

[Venom_5]

yeah, if you had asked .... i couldve told you that the Catalytic Converter itself causes that smell

the one on my Subaru has been doing that since we bought it - havent fought with the dealership to make them replace it yet (they keep saying it will go away)

[ONE_to_HATE]

i told the dealership and my two trusted mechanics and they said that the exhaust system is very sensitive since its an obd2 and if the cat is malfuctioning; there would be a cel on. So i ruled out the catalytic converter and went after the pre-cat on the exhaust manifold.

[Venom_5]

the Subaru is OBD-II as well, its a 2004 ... much newer and more sensitive than any Gen 4 Camry, i can assure you

and they are notorious for that smell when the cat is bad