Bad smell when floored
#1
Driver
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: FL
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Bad smell when floored
I've had 2 LS' and an Acura tl-s. I now have an '01 430. With the previous cars, when I floored them, the normal oil burning smell would fill the air, you know the smell you get everytime you gun it. Now with my current LS the smell is foul, even nauseating. Anyone have this too? It smells like a water treatment plant when you drive by one. Any explanation for this? No problems with the car, runs great, etc...
#2
If the smell you are referring to is a "rotten egg", sulfur smell, then it may just be the operation of the catalytic convertor burning excess fuel. It is completely normal at start-up (ie: cold engine). The smell should greatly dimish once the engine is at full operating temp.
#3
Driver
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: FL
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yes, it is similar to that. But it's not present at startup. For example, I punched it on the highway today and the smell came about. That is the only time it arises, when I put the pedal to the floor
#5
Lexus Test Driver
I floor it sometimes (pedal all the way down) for some spirited driving, but I've never encountered that smell before. I do know the smell of burning brakes (not pleasant). I don't think the burnt oil smell is normal, you might want to talk to your dealer/mechanic about it. I can go WOT without any odd smells or noises afterwards.
#6
Driver
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: FL
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I had it on the a lift last week just to check things out, no leaks. I categorized the smell as "burning oil" but knew that wasn't the case. Still can't imagine what it would be...maybe I need to replace my cat, who knows...
Trending Topics
#8
Moderator
Seems like a potential problem with the Cat converter(s). Flooring it likely results in unburned gas going out into the Cat and exhaust system. Sometimes when I am behind people that accelerate very quickly away from stop lights I can see the unburned liquid gas come out of their tail pipe.
#9
I think that may be condensed water vapor that accumulates in the exhaust system and eventually gets blown out / evaporates when you drive long enough. The buildup of this liquid that eats exhaust systems is one reason why many short trips are bad for your car. Many mufflers have small weep holes near the lowest point to aid in draining this fluid.
#10
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (1)
I think that may be condensed water vapor that accumulates in the exhaust system and eventually gets blown out / evaporates when you drive long enough. The buildup of this liquid that eats exhaust systems is one reason why many short trips are bad for your car. Many mufflers have small weep holes near the lowest point to aid in draining this fluid.
#11
When the previous generation of 4runners first debuted, their were numerous complaints of sulfur smell from the exhaust under normal driving conditions. Apparently, this was from the gasoline mixture they were using. When they lowered the rear window, the smell would fill the interior cabin. Try using another (name) brand of gas. I've always used Chevron 91 w/ good results.
#12
Moderator
I think that may be condensed water vapor that accumulates in the exhaust system and eventually gets blown out / evaporates when you drive long enough. The buildup of this liquid that eats exhaust systems is one reason why many short trips are bad for your car. Many mufflers have small weep holes near the lowest point to aid in draining this fluid.
But when a person floors the gas pedal on a modern car the injectors are held wide open. Lot of gas gets dumped into the engine. Some of it can exit as unburned liquid fuel under this extreme condition (might happen in DFW area more than average : ) especially with pickup trucks.
#13
Lexus Test Driver
The gas might be a factor. If there are quite a few impurities then it might cause a rough idle or bad smell. I use Shell 93 Vpower or w/e it's called. Try to use a top tier gas company (if there is one around) such as Shell, Chevron, Texaco...should be found in a google search. Otherwise it could very be the catalytic converter like many have suggested.
#14
Lexus Champion
Could it be that the fuel injectors are not properly atomizing the fuel which worsens when a high fuel flow is demanded, resulting in excessive unburned fuel, which exceeds the designed capacity of the catalytic converter and it is then unable to complete the combustion process?
#15
Could it be that the fuel injectors are not properly atomizing the fuel which worsens when a high fuel flow is demanded, resulting in excessive unburned fuel, which exceeds the designed capacity of the catalytic converter and it is then unable to complete the combustion process?