Exhaust smells like rotten eggs

Joncas · 06-20-2001, 08:36 AM

Everytime I put my foot in it, either marginally or through the fan blade, the exhaust smells like rotten eggs

Now I think it has something to do with the catalytic converter right? I brought the car in once before for service for this same problem and they said they couldn't recreate it. Bunky.

So here's my questions -
1. Is it covered under warranty (MY 99 with 18,000 miles)
2. The problem started before I put on my stromung muffler (no midpipe yet). However, now I have the muffler on. Will they try to blame it on that? Should I remove my stromung muffler and reinstall factory?
3. What types of things can cause that smell problem?

It's an embarrassment I tell ya.

Thanks all.

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tmaler13 · 06-20-2001, 08:57 AM

Did you check your pants??????

Seriously the 99's run rich, which means ever so often your gonna smell rotten eggs, its the unburned fuel in your exhaust.
putting on an intake might lean things up a little bit, so would getting a S-AFC. BTW do you have carbon around the rim/tip of your muffler? Thats a sure sign.

-Terry

Opie · 06-20-2001, 08:58 AM

Yes, rotten egg smell is usually a problem with the converter, it should be warrantied for 60,000 miles.

subarurabbit · 06-20-2001, 10:21 AM

I'd say your cats are gone too.

Roger

munkis · 06-20-2001, 12:06 PM

From my experience as a technician the smell is directly related to fooked up cats.

My RS has stunk like rotten eggs ever since it was new, the service adviser tells me its normal everytime I go in and complain about it, he makes me want to jump over the counter and smack him upside his head for lieing to my face. Makes me more mad because he knows im a technician. errrrrr

Yup it got even worse when I put my stromung cat back on, high flow exhuast, makes it more evident.

Stilling searching for answers...

Jay McDade
Auto Tech--Lincoln/Mercury/Jaguar
www.hometown.aol.com/impreza25rs2000

nikkicalves · 06-20-2001, 02:42 PM

I don't think that it a bad catalitic, but more like it's going fast. I don't think this many people have "bad" catalitics. didn't someone say something about this before, that if you beat the car, the cat wears out faster causing the internals to burn up faster than usual causing a smell? I drive the car hard on a daily basis and I still get that awful smell every time. It sucks.

Nick.

SubyTechMaster · 06-20-2001, 03:25 PM

Subaru issued a bulletin about this some time back. It will often have to do with the sulfer content of the fuel. The emissions system is designed for low sulfer fuel (up 100ppm) such as found in CA. Fuel in the northeast states averages around 200ppm. Federal limits are 1000ppm. So even if your car is working perfectly, it may still stink. Try switching brands of fuel.

nikkicalves · 06-20-2001, 03:54 PM

That was also my initial thought but it didn't make that much of a difference. I have tried three different brands and grades for a few weeks at a time. It make very little difference here in Canada.

Nick.

munkis · 06-20-2001, 04:01 PM

Im not sure but seeing how NJ has the same emmisions standards as california, sulfer ratings are probably the same...but dont quote me, ill have to check into it.

With mine im talking about highway cruise, it makes me want to puke! or even slow parking lot manuevers. Plus I have poor gas mileage to boot. Since im in the business ive exhausted every option I can think of b4 taking in to the dealer.

If SOA knows about the problem, how about some redesigned cats to work with the higher sulfer content fuel.

Mercury Cougars had the same problem and we now change the thired catatylic converter for this concern...

Ive tried all different brands of fuel, way before I even complained about it. Now I just deal with it till they blow up

not that they would.

subenutt · 06-20-2001, 04:03 PM

tmaler13- MY99's do NOT run rich. In fact, they are one of the only model years that run lean. Dangerously lean above 5k. Therefore, the S-AFC is needed to richen the fuel mixture.

Sports Compact Car did a story on installing an intake, exhaust, and finally SAFC. They didn't realize it would run too lean, until they saw a drastic slip in hp on the dyno. I think the article was in March '00 or something like that? There's a pic of a Yellow Type R on the cover.

By the way, after installing the S-AFC shiv saw a gain/ re-gain of about 10hp to the wheels above 5k.

tmaler13 · 06-20-2001, 04:44 PM

hmmmm....
Sorry didn't mean to misguide you,
its just that my 99 has run rich since day one...without any mods, now with an intake and full header exhaust i'm still running rich. O2 sensor on the S-AFC shows a rich condition as does the amounts of carbon deposits on my exhaust.
guess its just me...
-Terry

Santo Domingo 2.5 RS · 06-20-2001, 09:11 PM

I had that same problem like a month ago, each time i used to step on the gas, this smell came in. Some friend of mine told me he used to have the same problem on an AMG E-55 he owns, son he told me to remove the cats and install a dynomax resonator where the cat goes.

So i did, and the problem is gone besides adding some power to the car. I would recommend you to do the same.

Joncas · 06-20-2001, 11:42 PM

I'm getting the feeling that I should try bringing it in and if they don't fix anything (like put in a new cat or two) - I'm bumming. Of course - only more reason to put on my stromung track pipe that removes the 2nd cat. 1 less cat equals less stink.

Thanks for the thoughts.

TurboDude390 · 06-21-2001, 07:52 AM

I had the same smell and bad gas mileage with my '00 RS. When the dealer did the O2 sensor recall fix two months ago BOTH problems went away.
Before the O2 sensor recall I tired the low sulfer gas and every diferent brand of gas available to me in the midwest and still had the bad smell. I figured the low gas mileage was due to running the hell out of my RS.
As a side note my tailpipe went from black and sooty to totally clean after the new O2 sensor was installed. This leads me to believe in my case that extra fuel was being feed into the engine due to the bad O2 sensor. This fuel was being passed out the exhaust while un-burnt and being burned in the converter.
The floor in my RS would be so hot before the O2 sensor recall that passengers in front would complain that their shoes were smoking hot!

OutAtSea · 06-21-2001, 10:38 AM

Mr. Joncas, I suggest that you give your RS to your dear friend with the beat up Ranger. I don't think he will mind the smell since his truck barely runs.

Anyway, like I have said before, take out that damn second cat and throw the freakin track pipe on. Then, put a new O2 sensor in the track pipe and all should be good. After that, let that same friend with the Ranger drive the car for a day or so, so he can gather up some ladies for a "movie" night.

Later man

OutAtSea

Joncas · 06-21-2001, 04:24 PM

I love the reponses this car gets...

Thanks all for the opinions and thoughts. I'll let you know tomorrow what I find at the dealer.

06-22-2001, 06:51 AM

My car does the same thing , even more so with after market exhaust. I believe it's just running rich like everyone says and i also agree with that not this many people have bad exhaust. Car runs good still and no loss of power which is not right if you have a bad cat. If car is bad car isn't going to run that great and you'd smell it all the time not just after getting on it a bit. Just my 2cents

06-20-2001, 08:36 AM	#1
Joncas Scooby Specialist Member#: 5349 Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Central New York	Exhaust smells like rotten eggs Everytime I put my foot in it, either marginally or through the fan blade, the exhaust smells like rotten eggs Now I think it has something to do with the catalytic converter right? I brought the car in once before for service for this same problem and they said they couldn't recreate it. Bunky. So here's my questions - 1. Is it covered under warranty (MY 99 with 18,000 miles) 2. The problem started before I put on my stromung muffler (no midpipe yet). However, now I have the muffler on. Will they try to blame it on that? Should I remove my stromung muffler and reinstall factory? 3. What types of things can cause that smell problem? It's an embarrassment I tell ya. Thanks all. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

06-20-2001, 04:01 PM	#9
munkis Scooby Guru Member#: 1847 Join Date: Jul 2000 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: brokenmotorsports.com Vehicle: Team Broken: V6 GF rallyarmor.com	Im not sure but seeing how NJ has the same emmisions standards as california, sulfer ratings are probably the same...but dont quote me, ill have to check into it. With mine im talking about highway cruise, it makes me want to puke! or even slow parking lot manuevers. Plus I have poor gas mileage to boot. Since im in the business ive exhausted every option I can think of b4 taking in to the dealer. If SOA knows about the problem, how about some redesigned cats to work with the higher sulfer content fuel. Mercury Cougars had the same problem and we now change the thired catatylic converter for this concern... Ive tried all different brands of fuel, way before I even complained about it. Now I just deal with it till they blow up not that they would. Last edited by munkis; 05-07-2009 at 02:19 PM.

06-20-2001, 04:03 PM	#10
subenutt Scooby Newbie Member#: 930 Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Northern, CT USA Vehicle: 99 Impreza 2.5RS Aspen White	MY99 does not run Rick tmaler13- MY99's do NOT run rich. In fact, they are one of the only model years that run lean. Dangerously lean above 5k. Therefore, the S-AFC is needed to richen the fuel mixture. Sports Compact Car did a story on installing an intake, exhaust, and finally SAFC. They didn't realize it would run too lean, until they saw a drastic slip in hp on the dyno. I think the article was in March '00 or something like that? There's a pic of a Yellow Type R on the cover. By the way, after installing the S-AFC shiv saw a gain/ re-gain of about 10hp to the wheels above 5k.

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06-20-2001, 08:57 AM	#2
tmaler13 Scooby Newbie Member#: 1992 Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Port Jefferson, LI	Did you check your pants?????? Seriously the 99's run rich, which means ever so often your gonna smell rotten eggs, its the unburned fuel in your exhaust. putting on an intake might lean things up a little bit, so would getting a S-AFC. BTW do you have carbon around the rim/tip of your muffler? Thats a sure sign. -Terry

06-20-2001, 08:58 AM	#3
Opie Floresbian Moderator Member#: 470 Join Date: Oct 1999 Chapter/Region: South East Location: Riverview, Florida - U.S.A. Vehicle: 2013 BRZ, 2011 Forester, '04 Chev 2500HD	Yes, rotten egg smell is usually a problem with the converter, it should be warrantied for 60,000 miles.

06-20-2001, 10:21 AM	#4
subarurabbit Scooby Guru Member#: 4083 Join Date: Feb 2001 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Reading, MA Vehicle: 2006 OBS SE regal blue	I'd say your cats are gone too. Roger

06-20-2001, 12:06 PM	#5
munkis Scooby Guru Member#: 1847 Join Date: Jul 2000 Chapter/Region: Tri-State Location: brokenmotorsports.com Vehicle: Team Broken: V6 GF rallyarmor.com	From my experience as a technician the smell is directly related to fooked up cats. My RS has stunk like rotten eggs ever since it was new, the service adviser tells me its normal everytime I go in and complain about it, he makes me want to jump over the counter and smack him upside his head for lieing to my face. Makes me more mad because he knows im a technician. errrrrr Yup it got even worse when I put my stromung cat back on, high flow exhuast, makes it more evident. Stilling searching for answers... Jay McDade Auto Tech--Lincoln/Mercury/Jaguar www.hometown.aol.com/impreza25rs2000

06-20-2001, 02:42 PM	#6
nikkicalves Scooby Newbie Member#: 3608 Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: the T-dot - The green igloo billowing black smoke Vehicle: 2000 Impreza Tanned - BRP	I don't think that it a bad catalitic, but more like it's going fast. I don't think this many people have "bad" catalitics. didn't someone say something about this before, that if you beat the car, the cat wears out faster causing the internals to burn up faster than usual causing a smell? I drive the car hard on a daily basis and I still get that awful smell every time. It sucks. Nick.

06-20-2001, 03:25 PM	#7
SubyTechMaster Scooby Specialist Member#: 4423 Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Placerville, CA USA Vehicle: '04 08 Tribeca, SVX Gold, Maroon	Subaru issued a bulletin about this some time back. It will often have to do with the sulfer content of the fuel. The emissions system is designed for low sulfer fuel (up 100ppm) such as found in CA. Fuel in the northeast states averages around 200ppm. Federal limits are 1000ppm. So even if your car is working perfectly, it may still stink. Try switching brands of fuel.

06-20-2001, 03:54 PM	#8
nikkicalves Scooby Newbie Member#: 3608 Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: the T-dot - The green igloo billowing black smoke Vehicle: 2000 Impreza Tanned - BRP	That was also my initial thought but it didn't make that much of a difference. I have tried three different brands and grades for a few weeks at a time. It make very little difference here in Canada. Nick.

06-20-2001, 04:44 PM	#11
tmaler13 Scooby Newbie Member#: 1992 Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Port Jefferson, LI	hmmmm.... Sorry didn't mean to misguide you, its just that my 99 has run rich since day one...without any mods, now with an intake and full header exhaust i'm still running rich. O2 sensor on the S-AFC shows a rich condition as does the amounts of carbon deposits on my exhaust. guess its just me... -Terry

06-20-2001, 09:11 PM	#12
Santo Domingo 2.5 RS Scooby Specialist Member#: 5354 Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Santo Domingo. R.D Vehicle: 2000 Silverthorn Metallic	I had that same problem like a month ago, each time i used to step on the gas, this smell came in. Some friend of mine told me he used to have the same problem on an AMG E-55 he owns, son he told me to remove the cats and install a dynomax resonator where the cat goes. So i did, and the problem is gone besides adding some power to the car. I would recommend you to do the same.

06-20-2001, 11:42 PM	#13
Joncas Scooby Specialist Member#: 5349 Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Central New York	I'm getting the feeling that I should try bringing it in and if they don't fix anything (like put in a new cat or two) - I'm bumming. Of course - only more reason to put on my stromung track pipe that removes the 2nd cat. 1 less cat equals less stink. Thanks for the thoughts.

06-21-2001, 07:52 AM	#14
TurboDude390 Scooby Newbie Member#: 3120 Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Indianapolis, Indiana, USA	I had the same smell and bad gas mileage with my '00 RS. When the dealer did the O2 sensor recall fix two months ago BOTH problems went away. Before the O2 sensor recall I tired the low sulfer gas and every diferent brand of gas available to me in the midwest and still had the bad smell. I figured the low gas mileage was due to running the hell out of my RS. As a side note my tailpipe went from black and sooty to totally clean after the new O2 sensor was installed. This leads me to believe in my case that extra fuel was being feed into the engine due to the bad O2 sensor. This fuel was being passed out the exhaust while un-burnt and being burned in the converter. The floor in my RS would be so hot before the O2 sensor recall that passengers in front would complain that their shoes were smoking hot!

06-21-2001, 10:38 AM	#15
OutAtSea Scooby Newbie Member#: 7578 Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Cazenovia, NY	Mr. Joncas, I suggest that you give your RS to your dear friend with the beat up Ranger. I don't think he will mind the smell since his truck barely runs. Anyway, like I have said before, take out that damn second cat and throw the freakin track pipe on. Then, put a new O2 sensor in the track pipe and all should be good. After that, let that same friend with the Ranger drive the car for a day or so, so he can gather up some ladies for a "movie" night. Later man OutAtSea

06-21-2001, 04:24 PM	#16
Joncas Scooby Specialist Member#: 5349 Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Central New York	I love the reponses this car gets... Thanks all for the opinions and thoughts. I'll let you know tomorrow what I find at the dealer.

06-22-2001, 06:51 AM	#17
99 RS 2.5 Guest Member#:	My car does the same thing , even more so with after market exhaust. I believe it's just running rich like everyone says and i also agree with that not this many people have bad exhaust. Car runs good still and no loss of power which is not right if you have a bad cat. If car is bad car isn't going to run that great and you'd smell it all the time not just after getting on it a bit. Just my 2cents