Sulphur smell

[chardyman]

I'm getting a strong sulphur smell when goin up hills and passing other vehicles at higher rpm's. Catalytic Converter?

[LiCelsior]

yep, common for that to happen when u got WOT.

[Kiwi GT]

Yup, it's raw fuel in the catalytic converter.

[d1giPhux]

This could mean that your CAT is on its way out. A cat usually won't smell like that unless its going towards its death as far as i've ever seen.

[chardyman]

thanks. its not causing any mechanical damage right? Its like 800 bucks and i'm broke

[httrdd]

It is actually backing up exhaust gasses, so it might cause problems.

Some guys have used high flow cats and catless pipes for sale. Search one out or post a WTB thread. Where you from? I have stock cats for ya, but the mounting bracked needs to be fixed.

[chardyman]

I live in montana and dont live in a place where i have a chance to work on it

[d1giPhux]

Hey.. if you want to get a cat for cheap and awesome service.. check out these guys called 'muffler express'. I have had custom pipes made by them, as well as OEM cats, etc. They are awesome. They make great quality stuff, have great prices (even shipped from canada!) and are really helpful!

http://www.mufflerexpress.com/

or.. check em out / msg them on ebay like I always do:

http://myworld.ebay.com/ebaymotors/mufexpress/

I've had them make custom mid-pipes and cat pipes for me. They are dope! Cheapest prices I could find too!

[chardyman]

cool thanks i will check them out

will they do high flow?

[ouch1011]

Sulfer smell is not necessarily a sign of cat failure. Its actually pretty normal for that smell to occur at higher engine loads because the fuel we use in the US is garbage and has high levels of sulfer in it. It comes out the tailpipe as sulfer dioxide and makes that nasty rotten egg smell. As long as the CEL is off and the engine performs OK, I'd say its normal.

[d1giPhux]

^maybe. But not really. I've never smelled any 'sulfur' in my fuel.. ever. And i use cheap garbage 87 and constantly go WOT. I can guarantee the fuel you get over there on the west coast is better then the junk we get here in the middle of nowhere. Cars that smell like sulfur in my experience are always having a cat on the way out. However, you could be correct. I'm not sure. If the CEL light is not on however, I wouldn't worry about it. its probably just worn.

Zues: they can make all sorts of different pipes for you, shoot em an email, they are wicked helpful. They do full mandrel bending too, so the interior diameter of their pipes arent crushed in and shit like cheap pipes.

[chuckthefuk]

Ummm has anyone even thought about his tranny? Sulfur usually smells like rotten eggs.. burnt clutches usually smell like Sulfur/Rotten Eggs..

Even when the car is in gear the sudden shock of WOT can cause the disc to slip..

But meh I am not really sure.. just suggesting..
-Chuck

[Kiwi GT]

It seems to be a gen 4 thing. Well, at least here in NZ it is. I've never smelled it from a gen 1, 2 or 3, just the 4's, and usually only after it's been given a "spirited" drive.


87 octane fuel?? Did I read that right?? WTF?? I thought the crap 91 stuff we got here was bad....

[Grafton]

It seems to be a gen 4 thing. Well, at least here in NZ it is. I've never smelled it from a gen 1, 2 or 3, just the 4's, and usually only after it's been given a "spirited" drive.


87 octane fuel?? Did I read that right?? WTF?? I thought the crap 91 stuff we got here was bad....
different rating systems for octane 87 in the usa is your 91...

[d1giPhux]

^ haha.. yeah, aka its GARBAGE! :lol: :smt010

[chardyman]

My warning light has been on for that problem for awhile now, probably more then a year, but haven't had the smell until recently. I was just makin sure it wasn't something more serious because i know i'm overdue for belts and gaskets. Thank you all for your help though.

[d1giPhux]

Oh yeah.. if the light is on. Definitely sounds like its time for a new cat. Check out those people I told you about, cheapest OEM style cats you will find. Easy install too, and much cheaper then buying the part from subaru or anyone else!

[chardyman]

i checked them out and its on its way. really good company from what i've experienced so far. thanks for the suggestion