stinky 01 GT

[Michaela]

My 2001 GT stinks. When I am in a parking lot just idling it smells like rotten eggs, most noticeable with the hatch open. When I start on a hill the clutch smells burnt even though I don't let it slip. I though that it would go away with miles but haven't noticed any improvement.

[autxr]

It might just be high sulfur content in your gasoline. You are smelling H2S, and it means the catalytic converter is working.

It *could* also mean that you are running lean while cruising around and then the engine is getting a good (slightly rich) mixture at idle, so there *could* be a problem with the fuel/ignition system.

The first thing I would do is switch gas stations (and brands) assuming you fill up in the same place all of the time.

Scott

[Slant]

Doesn't that mean the catalytic converter is not working?

[CloNeGTS]

No...the cat is converting the otherwise dangerous sulfer gas to H2S which is harmless....just smells nasty.

I've also noticed that problem, but it does seem to be sparatic. But then I remember my Dad's 87 Camry making the same horrible smell....might be a Toyota thing ;)

[Slant]

I see.

[autxr]

Better avoid the chemistry lab...

H2S is actually QUITE toxic and smelly. It will kill you at concentrations in the range of several parts per thousand.

It can be smelled in the parts per billion or trillion range, so don't worry about it.

When an engine runs lean (too much oxygen) the sulfur in the gasoline burns to form sulfates (SO)x. The sulfates bind very well to the metal catalysts in the converter.

When the engine returns to stochiometric or even better, a little rich, now you have more hydrocarbon, thus you get some CxHy chains going into the catalytic converter. We don't want hydrocarbons in the air, so they are oxidized to CO2 and water (H2O). Part of the process involves the reduction of the SOX to H2S. So things are working fine.

The problem is, if you never run stochiometric or rich, and are always lean (or always rich). Then the catalyst gets spoiled.

Scott

[CloNeGTS]

When I said harmless.....I meant to the atmosphere....or relatively less harmful. Obviously exhaust gas as a whole would still not be worth taking a few big whiffs of even with a cat in place.

Sorry for the misuse of terms. :)

[cclayton]

OK...so is there anything that can be done about it?

[cards42leal]

I also get a nasty burnt smell, I only get the burnt smell when I really get on usally when I am street racing. Is something wrong? Any suggestions anyone. 6spd 2001 GTS

[Griffin]

Originally posted by cclayton
OK...so is there anything that can be done about it?

Switch brands of gas and take it easy till your engine warms up.

Griffin