sulfer smell while driving

rob40wilson03 · **Joined:** Sun Jul 10, 2011 9:43 pm **Posts:** 51

so i was on a road trip this weekend and on a couple of occasions while I was driving, the car filled with an increasing sulfur smell. i also noticed it this morning at the back (outside) of the car when the engine was still cold

anybody ever experience this?

BlackLibertyCRD · **Posted:** Sun Sep 11, 2011 10:53 pm

There shouldn't be any sulfur in diesel fuel. try another station

rob40wilson03 · **Joined:** Sun Jul 10, 2011 9:43 pm **Posts:** 51

yeah my only guess was that i got a bad batch of fuel at the station. but even so, it seems strange that i would smell it INSIDE the car

cgass · **Posted:** Mon Sep 12, 2011 12:34 am

rob40wilson03 wrote:

yeah my only guess was that i got a bad batch of fuel at the station. but even so, it seems strange that i would smell it INSIDE the car

If the smell was real strong inside the car you might have a hole in your exhaust somewhere under the cabin. If you do get it fixed pretty soon, you can get real sick otherwise. I know from experience.

Ajamant · **Posted:** Mon Sep 12, 2011 12:40 am

He isn't joking about a leaky exhaust being dangerous. Carbon monoxide is some nasty stuff, and can kill you. I'd have that checked ASAP.

papaindigo · **Posted:** Mon Sep 12, 2011 8:02 am

Worth checking certainly but a distinct sulfur smell inside a vehicle is often from an external source such as the exhaust of another vehicle(s), often a gasser with a catalytic converter problem, assuming of course that the smell does not last a long time. With good ULSD fuel I would not expect any significant sulfur smell from a CRD. A battery powered home carbon monoxide sniffer can be picked up an most hardware or big box equivalent stores to see if you have that problem and a good look at the exhaust system on a lift might be in order.

Wobbly · **Posted:** Mon Sep 12, 2011 4:34 pm

You weren't driving near Crawford, Texas, by any chance?

warp2diesel · **Posted:** Mon Sep 12, 2011 4:42 pm

papaindigo wrote:

Worth checking certainly but a distinct sulfur smell inside a vehicle is often from an external source such as the exhaust of another vehicle(s), often a gasser with a catalytic converter problem, assuming of course that the smell does not last a long time. With good ULSD fuel I would not expect any significant sulfur smell from a CRD. A battery powered home carbon monoxide sniffer can be picked up an most hardware or big box equivalent stores to see if you have that problem and a good look at the exhaust system on a lift might be in order.

X2 on other sources of smell.
But in case it is your CRD, one trick I have used to find exhaust leaks is to plug the tail pipe and listen for leaks. Since you are getting smell into the cabin check for leaks around the turbo to head pipe flange and EGR pipe that goes from the exhaust side of the engine around the back to the intake side where the EGR valve is. On the EGR valve are two two bolt flanges that hook up to the EGR valve, one loose bolt will allow the exhaust to leak out. Add a longer hose to a mechanics stethoscope and you will hear any leaks, even with diminished hearing.
If you rule out the other than you and find no leaks in the system, check the seals for the tail gate, back glass, and any plastic plugs that may have popped out in the back. My Wife's Beetle TDI got exhaust smell into the car from a bad hatch gasket and a body plug inside the trunk. I had to repair both to get rid of the smell.
Just be glad you have a diesel that you can smell the exhaust on, gassers can kill you.

rob40wilson03 · **Joined:** Sun Jul 10, 2011 9:43 pm **Posts:** 51

Wobbly wrote:

You weren't driving near Crawford, Texas, by any chance?

nope... charlotte, nc to myrtle beach

rob40wilson03 · **Joined:** Sun Jul 10, 2011 9:43 pm **Posts:** 51

warp2diesel wrote:

papaindigo wrote:

Worth checking certainly but a distinct sulfur smell inside a vehicle is often from an external source such as the exhaust of another vehicle(s), often a gasser with a catalytic converter problem, assuming of course that the smell does not last a long time. With good ULSD fuel I would not expect any significant sulfur smell from a CRD. A battery powered home carbon monoxide sniffer can be picked up an most hardware or big box equivalent stores to see if you have that problem and a good look at the exhaust system on a lift might be in order.

X2 on other sources of smell.
But in case it is your CRD, one trick I have used to find exhaust leaks is to plug the tail pipe and listen for leaks. Since you are getting smell into the cabin check for leaks around the turbo to head pipe flange and EGR pipe that goes from the exhaust side of the engine around the back to the intake side where the EGR valve is. On the EGR valve are two two bolt flanges that hook up to the EGR valve, one loose bolt will allow the exhaust to leak out. Add a longer hose to a mechanics stethoscope and you will hear any leaks, even with diminished hearing.
If you rule out the other than you and find no leaks in the system, check the seals for the tail gate, back glass, and any plastic plugs that may have popped out in the back. My Wife's Beetle TDI got exhaust smell into the car from a bad hatch gasket and a body plug inside the trunk. I had to repair both to get rid of the smell.
Just be glad you have a diesel that you can smell the exhaust on, gassers can kill you.

thanks for all the great info! i will investigate tomorrow

sulfer smell while driving

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