sherminator866

so we have a 2006 4runner v6 60,000 miles. we just bought it from the dealer about 2 months ago. ever since the first week we have been fighting them about a very bad very strong sulfur smell whenever we go uphills and stuff. I kept telling them it smells like the cat and they keep telling me its the gas we are using. after finally getting them to check it apparently there is a tsb out on the problem and they put in some new pipes and the two resonators? or were they the cats? either way we are still getting a very strong smell in the car, especially with the windows down and its making my kids sick. brought it back today and the guy is still pointing to gas and saying there is nothing wrong.

am I crazy and this could be gas related? or is there something else going on here? what other causes besides cat could be the culprit?

thanks guys

enq72

I had the same issue when I bought my used 2004 4Runner. I went back to the dealership and complained about a strong sulfur smell. It ended up being the Catalytic converter. When they swapped it out the smell went away. It only had $42K miles on it. I'm not an expert but I think it's silly that they are telling you it's the type of gas you are using! If you are still under warranty, I would go to a different dealer if possible. I hope that helps!

Browntown3

is for my model but might be the same for the 06's, i swear i stumbled across another tsb that said toyota would change something minor on the ecm i think this is it http://api.viglink.com/api/click?for...6%20sulfur.pdf

dmac1

I have a 99 4Runner and mine too has a kinda bad smell when its warming up. I don't often drive with the rear window down until its fully warmed up.

Your problem sounds like a cat issue to me. They smell like rotten eggs when they're bad. Is your problem only when the vehicle is cold? A cold vehicle's emissions will be different than a fully warmed up one. I suspect they are putting on hi-flo cats and they don't work too well until they're hot.

Regarding gas, a friend is a master mechanic at a Toyota dealership. Told him about my deal a number of years ago, he said try different gas. He said common complaint. Didn't help me, but my issue doesn't sound nearly as bad as yours. Mine does smell kinda bad when warming up and its got almost got 200k and original exhaust....other than I put on headers soon after I got it.

Simple idea...have the dealer come take some whifs from your exhaust pipe! If it only does it cold, drive it over and park it in their lot and go run some errands. Come back later and go in and make your point and have em come smell it.