Sulpher smell after hard acceleration?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 165
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From: Alexandria, VA
S55 AMG '06
Sulpher smell after hard acceleration?
Anyone else have this issue? Whenever I accelerate hard, I get that rotten egg smell in the car for a few minutes. Suggestions/thoughts?
Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 118
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...
You have sulphur imperities in you fuel. Sulphur is a "catalytic poison". I hope you're not smelling sulphur dioxide, which is HIGHLY toxic.
try switching to a better brand of fuel. and If there are sulphur deposites in your catalytic converter, they should be flushed.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 443
Likes: 118
'03 S55 (79K miles)
It's in the fuel. Change brands.
Not sure where this came from, but as a kid (40 years ago) they used to say "Pennsylvania gas" had more sulphur in it than gas from Texas or OPEC. Doubt there's any oil in Pennsylvania any more.
Who knows where the gas comes from now.
Who knows where the gas comes from now.
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Joined: Mar 2006
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From: San Jose area
'19 E63S sedan
The catalyst will spill H2S (SO2 and SO3 don't have that smell) when an engine runs rich after a period of running lean. It is quite common after a burst of high-power output.
Some areas have more sulfur in their gas than others (it's not generally something that will change markedly by brand), and higher sulfur content will of course make the smell more common.
It is a sign that the catalyst is working well. In fact, when the cat ages the smell tends to lessen. I live on a steep hill and I've noticed H2S when I get a new car home after a spirited run, but that after the car has 10,000 or 20,000 miles on it the smell is no longer produced. It's all normal catalytic converter chemistry. It also means your ECU is properly managing your A/F ratio. A little too rich is better than too lean under heavy load.
Some areas have more sulfur in their gas than others (it's not generally something that will change markedly by brand), and higher sulfur content will of course make the smell more common.
It is a sign that the catalyst is working well. In fact, when the cat ages the smell tends to lessen. I live on a steep hill and I've noticed H2S when I get a new car home after a spirited run, but that after the car has 10,000 or 20,000 miles on it the smell is no longer produced. It's all normal catalytic converter chemistry. It also means your ECU is properly managing your A/F ratio. A little too rich is better than too lean under heavy load.
