3rd Gen Protege/MazdaSpeed/P5/MP3 General/Maintenance Discussion for 1999-2003.5 Models Only (BJ Chassis)

Smelly Sulfur after pushing car hard

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old April-22nd-2002 | 06:45 PM
  #1  
pr0tege5's Avatar
Thread Starter
Protege Newbie
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 13
pr0tege5 is on a distinguished road
Smelly Sulfur after pushing car hard

Hey guys, have you noticed a sulfur smell when you press on the gas hard? Whenever I push the car hard, ie going up a steep hill or launching from a standstill, I can smell a sulfur smell. I have read this problem could be due to a faulty catalyic. Any ones else have this problem? I was thinking of taking it back to the dealer but I don't want them to go rev happy on my car to reproduce it. Is this something that will go away after awhile? I have 10,000 miles on my car already. Thanks!


P5
Silver and Proud of it!
Old April-22nd-2002 | 06:54 PM
  #2  
nightowl's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,030
From: ottawa, ontario canada
nightowl is on a distinguished road
ya i had the same problem.....but it has gone away now
Old April-23rd-2002 | 11:28 AM
  #3  
Maxx Mazda's Avatar
I am TEH W1N!!!
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 2,076
From: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Maxx Mazda is on a distinguished road
I've got a buddy with a 2001 Cavalier, and after he drives his hard it reeks like sulfer... I think it's common with alot of cars...
Old April-23rd-2002 | 11:44 AM
  #4  
Identity_X's Avatar
Protege God
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,183
From: Chicago
Identity_X is on a distinguished road
I think I get that too whenever I push the car hard on the highway..........
Old April-23rd-2002 | 01:07 PM
  #5  
SilverproES
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
I have also experienced this. My guess it is some what related to fuel you use.

It only seems to happen after filling up with regular unleaded...but could just be a coincidence. But I usually go with the octane above regular.

Old April-23rd-2002 | 02:03 PM
  #6  
carguycw's Avatar
Registered User
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,122
From: Dallas, Texas
carguycw is on a distinguished road
I used to have this problem with my 91 Honda CRX Si. I was told by a Honda tech that it was due to water being splashed into the exhaust tips and collecting in the muffler. The sulfur smell was created as the crud in the water burned away.

This was an epidemic problem with 4G Honda Civics and CRX's due to the exhaust tip's close proximity to the rear wheel and poor muffler drainage (a design flaw that also led to very rapid muffler rust). Some mechanics still call this the "Honda smell"

My guess is that you managed to splash the muffler "just right" to get some water in there. Since I haven't heard of this problem happening with other P5's, it is probably temporary and will go away by itself.
Old April-23rd-2002 | 02:32 PM
  #7  
Makaveli's Avatar
Likwidated
 
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 2,159
From: Canada (formerly Yugoslavia)
Makaveli is on a distinguished road
I used to get this every now and then, but I don't remember it happening lately at all.....
Old April-23rd-2002 | 04:22 PM
  #8  
stocker's Avatar
Protege Enthusiast
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 323
From: Hamilton, ON
stocker is on a distinguished road
Re: Smelly Sulfur after pushing car hard

Originally posted by pr0tege5
Hey guys, have you noticed a sulfur smell when you press on the gas hard? Whenever I push the car hard, ie going up a steep hill or launching from a standstill, I can smell a sulfur smell. I have read this problem could be due to a faulty catalyic. Any ones else have this problem? I was thinking of taking it back to the dealer but I don't want them to go rev happy on my car to reproduce it. Is this something that will go away after awhile? I have 10,000 miles on my car already. Thanks!


P5
Silver and Proud of it!

One thing to check is your dash setting on the evironmental controls. Is it set to fresh air or recirculated air? Sometimes if the seal at the back of the hood isn't quite in contact you can draw in air from the engine bay when on the fresh air setting.
Stocker
Old April-23rd-2002 | 06:59 PM
  #9  
pr0tege5's Avatar
Thread Starter
Protege Newbie
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 13
pr0tege5 is on a distinguished road
Thanks guys for the replies. Yeah, I read on the clubrsx board that this happens to their cars too. Something to do with the ULEV. Damn bother me, smells bad. I really don't push the car hard often, but I may do so to try to get stop the smelling. I will try different gas as well. Thanks!
Old April-23rd-2002 | 10:09 PM
  #10  
jcilforever's Avatar
Protege Enthusiast
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 201
From: South Carolina
jcilforever is on a distinguished road
I have the same problem after long highway trips.
Old April-23rd-2002 | 11:15 PM
  #11  
jdmp5's Avatar
Protege Newbie
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 38
From: CT
jdmp5 is on a distinguished road
hey carguycw, i also got that smell in my 90 CRX SI. And now this P5 also. Specailly after going up a big hill,or going 85 MPH for a couple of second.. As a matter of fact,i have this smell ibn all my cars- CRX SI, 91 Prelude SI, and now this P5. only happen when the engine is push hard!! i really don't think it has to do with ULEV,cause non of my old car has that.
Old April-24th-2002 | 12:38 AM
  #12  
pr0tege5's Avatar
Thread Starter
Protege Newbie
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 13
pr0tege5 is on a distinguished road
I am gonna try to use premium gas next time to see if I can get rid of the awful smell. It is pretty nastly, specially when you got other passengers with you. Almost smells like a fart!
Old April-25th-2002 | 08:07 AM
  #13  
NegatiZE's Avatar
Slowtegé
 
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 1,425
NegatiZE is on a distinguished road
Maybe it is a bad catalytic converter???
Old April-25th-2002 | 12:41 PM
  #14  
pr0tege5's Avatar
Thread Starter
Protege Newbie
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 13
pr0tege5 is on a distinguished road
Yeah, that was people were saying about the RSX's.
Old April-25th-2002 | 11:58 PM
  #15  
pr0tege5's Avatar
Thread Starter
Protege Newbie
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 13
pr0tege5 is on a distinguished road
damn the smell is back. I read some posting on deja.com indicating it could me a too rich of a fuel mixture. I am not sure this is normal. Can we set up a poll to see if others have this same problem?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:36 PM.