Hi,

I've noticed this before on a couple of occasions, but never posted about it.
This afternoon as I was getting on the highway (a little agressively), by the time I hit 5th gear, I noticed a smell of Hydrogen Sulfide (fragrant farts) in the cabin.
It wasn't me.
Emily is an '02 MCS, very well maintained, with ~38k on the clock. I've always used Sunoco 93 octane from the same busy station, so I don't think it was caused by just the fuel. The plugs are fresh, and the car was fully warmed up. Last Sunday, after adding a can of Seafoam and resetting the ECU,I filled up and did an Italian tune up.
I'm thinking maybe the catalytic converter, but figured I'd ask here.
Thanks,
Hegira

 

It must have been your dog then.

You may want to see if your exhaust system has any leaks, such as a loose clamp, crack or hole in the tubing, etc. It sounds as though it's the cat though, as opposed to the dog.

 

Do you happen to remember if there were any vehicles merging in front of you? I find that Toyotas are notorious for horrible smelling catalytic converters...

-Chase

 

As I remember, the road in front of me was clear, thus my aggressive acceleration. I try not to drive in a spirited manner in traffic. I'm too old for that *****.
I'll jack up the car and check the exhaust connections.
Maybe stuff a couple of potatoes in the exhaust tips while it's running to check for leaks....

 

maybe theres a pond somewhere with poop

a lake in queens, nyc smells like fart

 

Are you sure you didn't just get excited. And with you being to old as you say...

Just kidding!!

 

The coolant expansion tank might have overflowed some and spilled onto the headers. It happens to me sometimes under extreme conditions, it makes the smell you describe. If you check the outside of your tank, there will be stains of coolant on the outside. I'm not sure how to remedy it, but just make sure there is enough coolant in the tank when you check the oil.

 

From my understanding, you get that smell when catalytic converter starts going bad.

 

Teen Spirit?

 

Thanks Nabeshin, I'll check the tank.

 

I had the same thought


I hope it helps you. If the only time you smell it is under hard acceleration, then this is most likely the case. If it were emissions related, you'd smell it more often.

 

"Are you sure you didn't just get excited. And with you being to old as you say... "

I'm young at heart!

 

lol I was just teasing. Hope you figure out the source of the fragrance.

 

Hydrogen sulfide smell is normal ( all gasoline brands have it, but some are low sulfur types) but generally higher under high accelleration. Most of us don't notice it because it is generally dispersed by air movement, but sometimes it is noticable.

If you smell it otherwise, it can be additives, fuel injector problems or a cat going bad. In the latter two cases, it likely would be noticable when the car is at idle and in normal driving.

I'd monitor it, but most likely it is due to the Italian Tuneup and accelleration.