Smelly Exhaust (Fumes & Stinky CAT) & Check Engine Light?
 

I have 2,100 miles, and my exhaust fumes keep getting worse by the day. It's pretty bad, with a hit of gas, and rotten eggs. Also, my check engine light came on for about 50 miles. What's up? Are one of the CAT's just bad, or could it have something to do with a sensor? My woman's Probe has this problem too, but her's is more than likely a bad CAT.

-AR

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2001 F-150 XLT 4X4 Off-Road, S/C, FS, Black
- 4.6L Triton V8 (Romeo, 20 HP Increase)
- 5 Speed / 3:55 Reg. Axle
- Keyless
- Premium Audio CD
Mods.
- K&N Cold Airbox / Throttle Body Mod.
- Flowmaster 40 (Stock Setup with 3 1/2" x 10" Gibson Tip)
- Cranked Torsion Bars
- Bugshield
- Bedliner
- Ventshades
Build Date: 8/23/00 (Kansas City Plant)

arobbins@mail.liberty.k12.mo.us

[This message has been edited by Jackal (edited 10-15-2000).]

Take it in and get it checked out, cats dont smell and generally dont wear out, they are generally damaged by other problems, for example your rotten egg smell is generally caused by over fueling which generally leads to overheating of the cats and eventual melt down of the cats, dont just replace the cats find out what is causing the overfuelling problem first, this same situation can be caused by a misfire wich can cause raw fuel and exess air to enter the cats wich increases the temperature dramatically

Thanks, I'll get it checked out, and I'll let you all know what happens. I hope they don't try to put the blame on my intake and exhaust mods.

-AR

There is another possibility that your gas is bad. Sulfur content has a lot to do with the rotten egg smell. If your exhaust has been especially foul, it's possible your oxygen sensors are getting fouled or damaged.

If you haven't already, try getting your gas at another location for a couple of fillups as well.

Take the truck to the dealer
it has a bad sensor and its making the truck running lean I had the same problem in my truck with 50000 miles remenber this sensor has 80000 miles warranty read your book.

I know this wont help you problem any but if you go to a local race track (usually circle track) where they run racing fuel....go up and ask if they have any fuel scent additives.......at my local track they stock them for the cars to use....the audience likes it....here it is $5 a gallon...
scents here include cherry, pina colada, vanilla, bannana, and orange
it works best in higher octane fuels because they burn cleaner

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1999 F-150 Supercab Styleside Lariat 5.4L V8 3.55 gears, Rhino Bedliner
lowered 2/3, 18inch Wheels, Navigator Front End, Factory 2tone Red on top of Gold, Metallic Flake Ghost Flames in the gold
Stock CD player, Rockford Fosgate Punch 250a Amplifier, 2 RF Punch DXL 8inch Subwoofers, 2 Kenwood Midranges in the front doors
By Christmas: Euro tail lights, Superchip, 3/5 drop
By my 17th birthday (March 23rd): White Face Guages, HOPEFULLY A SUPERCHARGER PACKAGE


some quick photos
www.geocities.com/thepyromaniackid

fuel smell exhaust
 

I gotta 2005 f-150 4x4 5.4 that has a code showing catalyist error in bank one and two. Is this the 02 sensor , cat converter , or maybe a misfire issue? The exhaust smells like rich fuel and somtimes if im in a closed in area it almost chokes me .. Also got this ticking sound at a normal idle temp. Kinda like a slight diesel ticking sound. This is my first ford , so im all ears for suggestions , thanks.

Rooster, it sounds like you may have an injector stuck open. This was a problem on 05s.

10 years gone.

smelly exhaust
 

Do you know if this is an expensive fix ? Is there a code for it? I have a good feeling that one or more of my 02 sensors are probably out, but I would not think that it would make that stinky fuel smell that i have. What abut that ticking noise that i am hearing from under the hood ? Thanks again

If the cats are plugged it could be an exhaust leak exaggerated by the corked up cat, the pressure has got to go somewhere.
If you can lay your hands on a vac/pressure guage hook it up to a vac source on the intake-if you are getting a positave reading (pressure not vacuum) your cat is probably plugged.

Both of you guys can make it easier on us if you post the DTC's (codes)

Check out this link about cats: http://www.aa1car.com/library/converter.htm

smelly exhaust
 

thanks for the info on the ticking sound. I will check into stopped up cat converters first and hope its not those dam cam phasers that i heard about giving problems... I also heard that they are expensive to have replaced. Do you think i may have an injector issua since mine is an 05 ??? Exhaust smells like its rich in fuel

Good chance the injector is sticking-that will toast a cat, among other things.