chronopassion

Hi,

I have been noticed every now and then (not too often) a little bit of a smell like sulfur (rotten eggs) coming from my C230K. I believe one review in the press mentioned that the catalytic converter tends to smell. Is this sulfur-like smell the same smell they are talking about? Also, does this indicate something is not right with the catalytic converter/engine or are all of these cars somewhat similar.

The smell is not overpowering, but it did make me think I left the lid off the garbage can in our garage.

Best regards,

CP

Mike T.

North American fuels have an outrageous amount of sulphur in them. During regular driving the S deposits on the honeycomb of the cat, and then when the cat is really heated up by a richer mixture (such as on a steep hill) the S is vapourised and the stink becomes apparent.

Don't worry, it's normal. Maybe try another brand of fuel - ask each company's customer relations dept. what the S content of their fuel is. In Canada, low S fuel will be required by law in a few years, so we should see direct gas injection engines soon (their cat technology is damaged by S).

session

like was mentioned in the other thread, perhaps the smell is coming from inside the car...

Mark08859

I've always noticed that an exhaust system smells worse when new. It appears to fade as it breaks in. Just my .02 worth.

tommy

I'd be more concerned about what you're throwing out in your trash can.

As Mark said, it's the bad "new car smell" on some cars. Give it a while and see if it comes back. Just in case, I'd keep an eye on my mpg's and oil level.

TimmyC230boy

a good bit of it has to do with the welding material in the exhaust system. If you have ever gotten an aftermarket muffer, exhaust or anything done, you will get the same smell for a couple hundred miles. Hey, I have 11K right now and it still smells a little after I am finshed driving. especially after hard driving.

Steve H.

I have noticed on my other cars that when an oxygen sensor fails you get a sulfur smell. As noted many times in this forum, sensors can fail when they are new. If they make through some kind of "break in period" then they last their design life whatever that may be. That could be your problem.

viper

A bad oxygen sensor will prevent the ECU from making air/fuel corrections and cause the mixture to run rich. This will result in higher fuel comsumption and exhaust emissions and most likely will result in the MFD setting an error code and advising you to go in for service.