DISCO4.COM - View topic - Sulfur (rotten egg) smell coming from exhaust. Bad cat?

er1c

Member Since: 24 Jan 2011
Location: New York
Posts: 183

Sulfur (rotten egg) smell coming from exhaust. Bad cat?

I'm driving a 2006 LR3 V8 with 69,000 miles.

Out of the blue 2 days ago, there is a strong, repugnant rotten egg smell coming from my engine bay and exhaust. You can smell it 10 feet away from the vehicle. I have never had any smell of sulfur previously to this.

I know this is typically related to the catalytic converters.

My Faultmate shows zero codes.

Did perhaps I fill up my tank with some bad fuel, or should I be worried?

I've read around on various forums looking for an answer. And some people suggest it's a faulty fuel injector. Other people are saying it could be a bad O2 sensor. Other people are suggesting it's caused by a bad air/fuel ratio.

Also, I'm reading that if this problem isn't immediately fixed, it could destroy your cats.

I like working on the Landy myself. So, for now, I'd prefer to not bring it into a dealer.

What would cause the cat(s) to emit this smell?

Any suggestions/ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Long Ranger aux fuel tank, Traxide w/ yellow top battery, Sasquatch rods, G4 tail guards, GVIF 6.2, CarPC (Dual-Core Atom D525, 64GB SSD, 4GB DDR3 & M3-ATX 125W PSU, Win7 Pro 64 w/ Centrafuse 3.5), Yaesu FT-8900R ham radio w/ Comet CA-2x4SR, reverse CCD camera, RLD laptop seat mount, RLD roof antenna mount, Viair 400P compressor, 3K xenons, 2.5K halogen fogs, Series 3 mudflaps, 1.25" Wheel Spacers (Motorsport Tech), Baja Roof Rack

Last edited by er1c on 11th Jun 2013 7:24 pm. Edited 1 time in total

11th Jun 2013 5:55 pm

Stu

Member Since: 08 Feb 2009
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 2423

2005 Discovery 3 TDV6 HSE Auto Zambezi Silver

i assume this a a V8 model? In which case it is likely to be the CAT D3 HSE MY05 Auto

Expo Rack, Club MTR, LR Spots, A Bar, Light Guards, GNVP Sump Guard, GNVP Ladder, Cup Holders, RLD A Bar brackets. Disco3Club stickers, Aux power on Mod

11th Jun 2013 6:12 pm

barryp

Member Since: 24 Dec 2006
Location: Sydney
Posts: 138

2006 Discovery 3 TDV6 SE Auto Chawton White

I have had the rotten egg gas smell from relatively new petrol vehicles. I note that yours is a petrol V8.
Can be simply a high sulphur content in the batch of petrol you picked up!
Regards
Barryp 2017 Range Rover Sport TDV6 L494 Fuji White
2011 Range Rover Sport SDV6 L320 Fuji White Loved but GONE
2010 TRAKKA Motorhome Fiat Ducato GONE (What a dud, don't buy one)
2006 Discovery 3 SE TDV6 Automatic Chawton White/Ebony. Loved but GONE
2006 BMW X5 diesel White/Charcoal, Bought new, gone after 12 years! Excellent vehicle.
Ex Member Range Rover Club NSW

12th Jun 2013 6:21 am

er1c

Member Since: 24 Jan 2011
Location: New York
Posts: 183

I have 3/4 tank left. I was planning on driving it to near empty and crossing my fingers that it went away. Only one problem now! I was filling my tires up with air yesterday, and one of the damn TPMS valve threads broke off. The actual metal threads, which you screw the valve stem cap onto it, a chunk of it came off. And the tire rapidly deflated.

Long Ranger aux fuel tank, Traxide w/ yellow top battery, Sasquatch rods, G4 tail guards, GVIF 6.2, CarPC (Dual-Core Atom D525, 64GB SSD, 4GB DDR3 & M3-ATX 125W PSU, Win7 Pro 64 w/ Centrafuse 3.5), Yaesu FT-8900R ham radio w/ Comet CA-2x4SR, reverse CCD camera, RLD laptop seat mount, RLD roof antenna mount, Viair 400P compressor, 3K xenons, 2.5K halogen fogs, Series 3 mudflaps, 1.25" Wheel Spacers (Motorsport Tech), Baja Roof Rack

12th Jun 2013 2:32 pm

hgrimmett

Member Since: 11 Oct 2009
Location: Bledlow
Posts: 901

2015 Discovery 4 3.0 SDV6 SE Tech Auto Indus Silver

Yeah, the TPMS thing happened to me too, when I looked around the others they all needed replacing. I think, with a bit of research, you can find generic units without having to pay LR money... At least two of mine were claimed to be PSA units fitted by the tyre shop... -------------------------------------------------------------------
D4 '15 (64) Se Tech Indus Silver
Tesla Model Y LR (22)
Audi TT Roadster 225 (52)
Tesla Model 3 LR (70) (gone)
Porsche Boxster '96 2.5 5spd project (P)
Mini R52 S (54)
BMW 330e eDrive MSport '16 (gone)
D3 '07 (56) XS TDV6 Buckingham Blue (gone)

12th Jun 2013 8:17 pm

er1c

Member Since: 24 Jan 2011
Location: New York
Posts: 183

Update:

It was my battery (not crank, but my secondary/aux one)... And it was leaking.

Thankfully it wasn't one of the cats causing the sulfur smell. Just an overheating battery. It was BURNING hot. Even an hour after shutting the vehicle off, it was super hot. After removing it, the smell is completely gone.

So, if you guys are having a rotten egg (sulfur) smell coming from your vehicle, check your battery (or batteries) first.

Long Ranger aux fuel tank, Traxide w/ yellow top battery, Sasquatch rods, G4 tail guards, GVIF 6.2, CarPC (Dual-Core Atom D525, 64GB SSD, 4GB DDR3 & M3-ATX 125W PSU, Win7 Pro 64 w/ Centrafuse 3.5), Yaesu FT-8900R ham radio w/ Comet CA-2x4SR, reverse CCD camera, RLD laptop seat mount, RLD roof antenna mount, Viair 400P compressor, 3K xenons, 2.5K halogen fogs, Series 3 mudflaps, 1.25" Wheel Spacers (Motorsport Tech), Baja Roof Rack

26th Jun 2013 12:15 pm

SADISCOBOB

Member Since: 08 Oct 2010
Location: Alberton
Posts: 246

2006 Discovery 3 4.4 V8 HSE Auto Stornoway Grey

Thanks er1c. That sort of info' is never obtainable unless some guy gets the problem and then sorts it - thanks for telling us all the end result.

Life always good with a Landy

2006 LR DISCO 3 4.4 V8 HSE
DISCO 1 2.8 TDi
DISCO11 TD5
RR CLASSIC 1980 3.5 V8

27th Jun 2013 2:24 pm

er1c

Member Since: 24 Jan 2011
Location: New York
Posts: 183

Hopefully it saves someone the trouble of getting the cat(s) replaced in the future! Long Ranger aux fuel tank, Traxide w/ yellow top battery, Sasquatch rods, G4 tail guards, GVIF 6.2, CarPC (Dual-Core Atom D525, 64GB SSD, 4GB DDR3 & M3-ATX 125W PSU, Win7 Pro 64 w/ Centrafuse 3.5), Yaesu FT-8900R ham radio w/ Comet CA-2x4SR, reverse CCD camera, RLD laptop seat mount, RLD roof antenna mount, Viair 400P compressor, 3K xenons, 2.5K halogen fogs, Series 3 mudflaps, 1.25" Wheel Spacers (Motorsport Tech), Baja Roof Rack

27th Jun 2013 3:02 pm