Rotten egg smell
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 198
Likes: 0
From: Newmarket Ontario
Rotten egg smell
I have a 1979 L48 automatic. I was running my car with no cats and was pulled over by the Ministry of Enviorment and fined for not having them. Since installing low flow cats I now have this rotten egg smell that periododiclly makes your eyes run. I was told to correct you have to adjust the carb. as it's running too rich. What exactly is the correct way way of doing this or is there something else that should be looked at ??? I have searched this on the forum and really have not found anything. Your help would be appreciated.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,973
Likes: 5
From: Valrico Florida
Might borrow or buy a LM-1 or LM-2 gas analyzer. You will need an O2 bung in the exhaust forward of the cat(s). This device will allow you to tune your carb to get optimum mixtures if that is your problem. Good luck.
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 76,656
Likes: 1,851
From: Jeffersonville Indiana 812-288-7103
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
You may want to test the temperature of the converters. In some cases this can and will give you an idea of what is going on. From what you've posted my guess is that you are running rich.
If the outlet temperature reading is higher by 200 degrees or more than the inlet temperature, this indicates the car is indeed running rich and excess CO is present in the exhaust. In most cases a rich condition will produce what we term “rotten egg” which is simply hydrogen sulfide coming out of the exhaust.
Willcox
If the outlet temperature reading is higher by 200 degrees or more than the inlet temperature, this indicates the car is indeed running rich and excess CO is present in the exhaust. In most cases a rich condition will produce what we term “rotten egg” which is simply hydrogen sulfide coming out of the exhaust.
Willcox
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,004
Likes: 7
From: Adelaide South Australia
Just something even simpler to try first.....
Change the supplier of your next tank of fuel.
Here is Australia, the components in petrol vary from one supplier to another.. eg SHELL vs BP vs CALTEX
each company has its own "blend" of additives, and the strong rotten egg smell is associated with sulphide additives.
I won't buy BP fuel in my town, as it distinctly smells like rotten eggs.
I use Shell and there is no odour issue at all.
Just something for you to try which won't cost you time and hassle to chase and rectify....
But if the problem persists, then follow other suggestions.
cheers
Change the supplier of your next tank of fuel.
Here is Australia, the components in petrol vary from one supplier to another.. eg SHELL vs BP vs CALTEX
each company has its own "blend" of additives, and the strong rotten egg smell is associated with sulphide additives.
I won't buy BP fuel in my town, as it distinctly smells like rotten eggs.
I use Shell and there is no odour issue at all.
Just something for you to try which won't cost you time and hassle to chase and rectify....
But if the problem persists, then follow other suggestions.
cheers
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,696
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
They're called "test pipes" and yes they are available. I think that ebay stopped allowing their sale but do a web search and you'll find them. The more expensive ones look enough like a real cat that they will fool just about anyone until they test your exhaust emissions.
