Thought I might throw this out, hopefully someone will have some good
advise. Whenever I am stopped at a light or wherever, there is this awful
smell, is becoming downright embarrassing. My friends say it is the
fuel/air mixture while I am inclined to suspect the catalytic converter.
Anyone?

Thanks for the reply, mazdaman. As far as I can tell, the truck is not
using any more fuel as usual, am getting on average 400km per tank (65
liters). This works out to around 14/15 mpg. This seems rather poor but
then again it has always been like this. The engine is a v6 5-spd, with
329,000km. There was no black soot in the tailpipe although the putrid
exhaust smell sounds familiar. Is there a way to check the O2 sensor? Or
how cheap is it to replace? TIA


"mazdaman85" <mazdaman851@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:be19bfb4.0306290300.4100ffc9@posting.google.c om...

Hi Tom. Well, your correct that I don't live in CA, i am in BC, Canada..
I totally smells like rotten eggs. Don't think the converter has ever been
replaced in the life of the vehicle, is a '90 w/ 329000km and v6 5-spd
"Tom S" <toms@spamlesspacbell.net> wrote in message
news:6CGLa.364$gk7.99@newssvr19.news.prodigy.com.. .

Oh, BTW it is a '90 4runner as well!!

"P Jenner" <NoSpamhandi_rhino@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:7OHLa.345801$Vi5.8783554@news1.calgary.shaw.c a...

Unless the bulb is out on your Check Engine light, that would be on if
the computer found a fault with the o2 sensor. There's a resistance
check you can do too from the diagnostic terminals. I vaguely recall
it being between .5-.9vdc and fluctuating a couple times a second or
so. If you want to try the resistance test let me know and I'll pull
my book out for the specifics. The problam could be your converter and
not related to my problem. My truck didn't have a converter on it when
I got it and I never put one on (shhh!). So I know my problem wasn't
at all related to that. I got my oxygen sensor at oxygensensors.com
for $49.99 and spliced my old connector to it. They have one with the
connectoer already on it for $59.99.

"P Jenner" <NoSpamhandi_rhino@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:<7OHLa.345801$Vi5.8783554@news1.calgary.shaw. ca>...

Well, the 'check engine' light is operational, it comes on momentarily
when I turn on the ignition. I did manage to find the o2 sensor, right
before the convertor. There was a lot of oil thrown around it, but I think
that is because of the seal on the output shaft; however that is another
story..... Could not track where the wires went, do they go into a
diagnostic box or something? Hopefully up top in the engine compartment
somewhere.

"mazdaman85" <mazdaman851@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:be19bfb4.0306292112.7886ca60@posting.google.c om...

hmm, so you figure the problem lies elsewhere then? Is looking like the
problem is either there or in the o2 sensor, or maybe a combination...
"Tom S" <toms@spamlesspacbell.net> wrote in message
news:YlRLa.218$bT.21578970@newssvr15.news.prodigy. com...

Think I found it, is right next to the fuse box, tiny little grey
box....will have to clean out the contacts first, looks like it's gummed up,
TIA

"mazdaman85" <mazdaman851@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:be19bfb4.0306302104.24af0241@posting.google.c om...

I also have a 1990 4Runner with the V6 and Auto. I live in Toronto,
Canada and experience the same issue. I started getting the rotten egg
smell right after I replaced the exhaust system and converter. I have
taken it to the dealer but the air/fuel mixture is fine.

I believe part of the cause is the high sulfur content. In Canada,
ESSO, SHELL and Petro Canada have very high sulfur content 500-750
PPM. I am not sre what BC's sulfur levels are, but I have heard that
Ontario is the worst. Sunoco currently has the lowest sulfur content
in Canada at around 200 PPM, so try a couple of tanks to see if it
helps.

FYI.... In 2005 all refineries in Canada will have to get there sulfur
level down to 30 PPM.

Your gas milage seems low especially for a standard. I get about 520
KM driving all HWY and 450 city/Hwy mixed, with an Automatic. Maybe
you are a harder driver than me or just driving up all thoses
beautiful mountains. I use to live in Vancouver and miss it very much.

"P Jenner" <NoSpamhandi_rhino@hotmail.com> wrote in message news:<4W0Ma.327704$ro6.7915331@news2.calgary.shaw. ca>...

that is interesting.., the second time I have heard that about the sulfur
content > We don't have Sunoco out here. Is there a website that gives you
all that info about sulfur content? there is Mohawk gas which is touted as
the cleanest but who really knows? Maybe I'll try some quality gas, am
running on 87 octane right now. Actually about those 31" tires, I actually
got around the same mileage with slightly bigger tires before I switched to
31x10 tires. Now I'm getting 50 extra kms...
Funny thing, the only reason I switched was because the driving tire
literally disentigrated while I was driving back from CA. Figured it was
time for a change considering the condition of the other ones! The tire
ripped away well near the entire rear wheel well when it went. Fortunately,
1. no one was hurt and 2. it was a bright sunny day so I didn't get soaked
changing the tire. If your from the west coast you come to appreciate such
moments!

"Michael Anderson" <saeros@dccnet.com> wrote in message
news:32adc1ad.0307020944.5c69a8f5@posting.google.c om...

I must admit that my mileage was not always good. About 6 months ago
my exhaust started to act-up. I took a look at it and it did not look
good. There were 3 holes in various exhaust pipes and the tail pipe
was not attached to the muffler anymore. I took it to a muffler chain
in Toronto (Speedy) and had the entire exhaust system, including the
cat. converter and muffler, replaced. It cost me $480 CDN including
taxes (15% in Ontario Ouchhh!!!) After that it sounded sweet again. At
the same time I cleaned the K and N air filter and re-oiled it. The
filter was in the truck when I bought it last year and was very dirty.
I also added a fuel injector cleaner (STP)to a tank of fuel. Since
then my mileage while not great is vastly improved. I use to get
370-430KM per tank. I now get 450-520KM. My truck too has the bigger
31-10.5-15 tires. I have also slowed down a bit.
I have written the big 4 gas station chains in Ontario (Esso, Petro
Canada, Shell and Sunoco), but none would supply me with the Sulfur
content of their fuels. I got the info on Sunoco from a relative of
mine who works for them. I am going to contact the government agency
in Canada that over sees the fuel industry to see if they test for
sulfur levels. I will post what I find.