Bad smell from vents when accelerating hard

[aznlunatic206]

So I've been noticing this for a while, pretty much ever since ive had my car. I have a 2011 camry se v6 and when i go hard on the gas from a dead stop or accelerating on a on ramp on to the freeway i get this smell coming from the vents that smell like rotten eggs or something and my friend in the back said he can smell it too. This only happens when i accelerate really fast and shoot up to or over 4500-5000 rpm, anyone know why? i use cheveron 89 gas which is plus.

Thanks

[kobe4life323]

Originally Posted by aznlunatic206

So I've been noticing this for a while, pretty much ever since ive had my car. I have a 2011 camry se v6 and when i go hard on the gas from a dead stop or accelerating on a on ramp on to the freeway i get this smell coming from the vents that smell like rotten eggs or something and my friend in the back said he can smell it too. This only happens when i accelerate really fast and shoot up to or over 4500-5000 rpm, anyone know why? i use cheveron 89 gas which is plus.

Thanks

why you using chevron use shell. lol J/K The type of gas you use doesnt matter on this smell your getting. so since its a 2011 im taking a wild guess that this car is still under manufacturer warranty take it to your nearest dealership and let them figure it out if they say nothing is wrong just make them change the cabin air filter under warranty because thats the only thing i can think of. And for another way of maybe making this smell disappear always make sure you turn off your A/C or Heater before turning off your car. and whenever you are using the A/C or Heater make sure that yellow light with that little car picture and a arrow turning over it is always on to make sure you are only circulating the inside of the cars air and not bringing in the outside smells. this button can be found on the control of your A/C or Heater Fan Speed. lol sorry for not knowing the technical terms for these controls but its a pretty easy thing to try out before going to dealership.

[techtalk]

Originally Posted by aznlunatic206

So I've been noticing this for a while, pretty much ever since ive had my car. I have a 2011 camry se v6 and when i go hard on the gas from a dead stop or accelerating on a on ramp on to the freeway i get this smell coming from the vents that smell like rotten eggs or something and my friend in the back said he can smell it too. This only happens when i accelerate really fast and shoot up to or over 4500-5000 rpm, anyone know why? i use cheveron 89 gas which is plus.

Thanks

aznlunatic,

If you inspect your cabin air filter and find no issues there (i.e. dead rats or the like) then I would consider that your catalytic converter needs to be inspected. You drive a brand new car so I realize that the possibility of your cat failing prematurely is low but I've heard of stranger things happening. Perhaps you were unfortunate enough to get a fluke from the factory Ensure that you inspect all of your exhaust system components for any leaks or abnormalities (2011 Camry Exhaust system components list)

Additionally, I have heard that certain brands of gasoline can create an odor upon acceleration. This thread on a 4runner forum illustrates this odd phenomenon:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-ge...fur-smell.html

[Tuskilla]

it means the cat conv is working and maximizing the fuel, its a good thing not a bad thing

[MAToyotaSales]

Originally Posted by aznlunatic206

So I've been noticing this for a while, pretty much ever since ive had my car. I have a 2011 camry se v6 and when i go hard on the gas from a dead stop or accelerating on a on ramp on to the freeway i get this smell coming from the vents that smell like rotten eggs or something and my friend in the back said he can smell it too. This only happens when i accelerate really fast and shoot up to or over 4500-5000 rpm, anyone know why? i use cheveron 89 gas which is plus.

Thanks

How long have you had it? Every new car seems to have a sort of "burning" smell upon hard acceleration. I (and the customers ) notice it on most test drives. It is not a problem and should go away once the vehicle is broken in. Now if you have had it for some time, then it's worth getting checked out.

[aznlunatic206]

I've had the car for a little over a year now. Car currently has 10,300k miles. I will check out the cabin filter and if its all good ill have my car inspected buy a dealership. Also its time for me to fill up so ill try shell 89 and see if gas is the factor.

[MAToyotaSales]

Originally Posted by aznlunatic206

I've had the car for a little over a year now. Car currently has 10,300k miles. I will check out the cabin filter and if its all good ill have my car inspected buy a dealership. Also its time for me to fill up so ill try shell 89 and see if gas is the factor.

Can you smell it from outside the car after you shut it off?

Doubt its the gas, of course it doesnt hurt to try something else though.

[Glenn8963]

On some vehicles, a sulfur smell or 'rotten egg' odor may be noticed coming from the exhaust system. The odor
is usually noticed after a cold start, fast idle, extended periods of idling and full throttle acceleration. Sulfur smell
is not an indication of an engine concern and will not cause reduced driveability or durability of the engine or
any of its emission components.
The sulfur smell or 'rotten egg' odor is caused by high amounts of sulfur in the gasoline being used in the vehicle.
Sulfur is normally eliminated during the refining process, but the EPA regulation of sulfur in gasoline differs
from state to state. Vehicles using fuel containing high amounts of sulfur will most likely emit sulfur smell from
the exhaust system.
When high sulfur fuel is burned, there is a chemical reaction in the catalytic converter causing the sulfur to oxidize.
As the vehicle is driven, the oxidizing reaction odor in the converter will decrease with mileage and age.

Replacing the catalytic converter will not eliminate sulfur smell and replacement will just extend the
period of time needed for the converter to 'age' allowing it to reduce sulfur smell to an acceptable
level.
Switch to a different brand of fuel and drive the vehicle for at least 100 miles. Monitor the decrease or
increase in sulfur smell.
Do not add any type of 'fuel additive' as this could add sulfur to the fuel and cause/increase the odor.
Try to avoid extended periods of short trip driving or aggressive acceleration.
Request information from your local fuel dealers on the amounts of sulfur in their gasoline. Try to use fuel
containing the lowest amounts of sulfur.
Visit the EPA and gasoline company websites to stay informed on any changes in fuel or environmental regulations.
A website to check is: EPA


and this



Strong sulfur smell means that you are running a rich air/fuel ratio. Sometimes this is normal especially during warmup. If your engine is warm already, this is not normal and fuel pressure or sensors should be checked.

[Mosh603]

Sounds like the catalytic converter

[sxe-10]

i'd say its normal, if you use a higher octane, the smell does go away, but i don't think its anything you should be worried about

[DOHCammer]

Octane has nothing to do with fuel's sulfur content. I second the recomendation to try a different brand of fuel. Rotten egg smell from full throttle acceleration is just the converters way of saying "I'm working down here'. My car does the same thing and it's especially pungent going uphill under heavy acceleration. No worries.

[aznlunatic206]

After searching around, its most likely the gas i'am using. I just filled up today with 92 from chevron but if the smell is still there when under hard acceleration ill move to shell and give that a shot. Its not a super strong smell but it is noticeable. I dont beat on my car or drive it hard, just sometimes on on-ramps and passing people is really the only time i get on the gas hard. Thanks for the help guys and ill keep this updated. I just wanted to make sure everything is working properly and not broken or something.

[RAYDAHS]

My 2011 V6 has it too, just recently started at about the same mileage as you. My 2006 Rav4 had it too, they had a TSB for it back then, seen here http://www.rav4world.com/forums/106-...8-01-06-a.html

[tengiday]

I don't think the gas causes this smell. I use both Chevron and Shell but didn't smell anything special under hard acceleration.

[PhatRoyale]

Glenn8963 hit the nail right on the head. It's normal, just from unburnt gasoline sitting in the catalytic converter.

My Corolla does the same thing