Smell Through The A/C After Coming To A Stop
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 9
Smell Through The A/C After Coming To A Stop
Hello Everyone,
I just found this forum and have been using the search feature to try and find the solution to a problem that I am currently having. I didn't find the answer using the search function so I thought I would ask here.
The vehicle is a 2002 Honda Civic LX. I just had the 110K mile service done (new timing belt, spark plugs, tranny service, ect) about3 weeks ago.Last week I started to smell rotten eggs through the A/C when I came to a stop light. I took it to the mechanic and he replaced the catalyticconverter. For the most part the smell is gone, but I occasionally still get a whiff of a rotten eggs when I come to a stop ata light. This only occurrs after I have been driving the vehicle for a while and it gets good and hot.
Any ideas as to what it could be?
Thanks,
Accountant
I just found this forum and have been using the search feature to try and find the solution to a problem that I am currently having. I didn't find the answer using the search function so I thought I would ask here.
The vehicle is a 2002 Honda Civic LX. I just had the 110K mile service done (new timing belt, spark plugs, tranny service, ect) about3 weeks ago.Last week I started to smell rotten eggs through the A/C when I came to a stop light. I took it to the mechanic and he replaced the catalyticconverter. For the most part the smell is gone, but I occasionally still get a whiff of a rotten eggs when I come to a stop ata light. This only occurrs after I have been driving the vehicle for a while and it gets good and hot.
Any ideas as to what it could be?
Thanks,
Accountant
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 9
RE: Smell Through The A/C After Coming To A Stop
ORIGINAL: AgentofDarkness
It is normal for the cat to emit a rotten egg smell. The smell is released by the reaction that occurs in the cat.
It is normal for the cat to emit a rotten egg smell. The smell is released by the reaction that occurs in the cat.
Since that was just replaced, are there any other things that might cause a rotten egg smell?
Thanks,
Accountant
Administrator
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,161
RE: Smell Through The A/C After Coming To A Stop
1. go outside of your car, with the A/C blasting
2. spray your outside vent(underneath the windsheild) with lysol.
vents my starting to grow mold from the A/C. try turning your A/C off and just using the vents about a mile from your house. do this each time to prevent this.
2. spray your outside vent(underneath the windsheild) with lysol.
vents my starting to grow mold from the A/C. try turning your A/C off and just using the vents about a mile from your house. do this each time to prevent this.
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 9
RE: Smell Through The A/C After Coming To A Stop
ORIGINAL: AgentofDarkness
It is normal for the cat to emit a rotten egg smell. The smell is released by the reaction that occurs in the cat.
It is normal for the cat to emit a rotten egg smell. The smell is released by the reaction that occurs in the cat.
.......but I shouldn't smell it inside the car.
Isprayed the vents w/ some cleaner / deodorizer that I got at AutoZone but the smell persists. Is there anything else I should do before I take the car to the dealer?
Thanks,
Accountant
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 9
RE: Smell Through The A/C After Coming To A Stop
ORIGINAL: Type RB
Are you using 'external' (fresh) air, or 'internal' (recirculate) air?
This will make a big difference in figuring out where the problem might be.
Are you using 'external' (fresh) air, or 'internal' (recirculate) air?
This will make a big difference in figuring out where the problem might be.
HCF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 409
From: San Angelo, TX
RE: Smell Through The A/C After Coming To A Stop
Then it's not something inside the air system then... which is a good thing, IMHO. Getting rid of odors and what's causing them once they're already in the HVAC system is a major pain.
If the mechanic really changed out the cat, then I'd have them check the charcoal/evap canister. Rotten egg smell indicates presence of sulphur, and the cat and evap canister are about the only places that something like that would linger.
I wouldn't be surprised if you got some gas that had some diesel mixed in with it. Have you been buying your gas at the same place since the smell began? If so, try burning off this tank, get your gas somewhere else and see if the odor persists. If it does, then try the stealership.
If the mechanic really changed out the cat, then I'd have them check the charcoal/evap canister. Rotten egg smell indicates presence of sulphur, and the cat and evap canister are about the only places that something like that would linger.
I wouldn't be surprised if you got some gas that had some diesel mixed in with it. Have you been buying your gas at the same place since the smell began? If so, try burning off this tank, get your gas somewhere else and see if the odor persists. If it does, then try the stealership.
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 9
RE: Smell Through The A/C After Coming To A Stop
ORIGINAL: Type RB
Then it's not something inside the air system then... which is a good thing, IMHO. Getting rid of odors and what's causing them once they're already in the HVAC system is a major pain.
If the mechanic really changed out the cat, then I'd have them check the charcoal/evap canister. Rotten egg smell indicates presence of sulphur, and the cat and evap canister are about the only places that something like that would linger.
I wouldn't be surprised if you got some gas that had some diesel mixed in with it. Have you been buying your gas at the same place since the smell began? If so, try burning off this tank, get your gas somewhere else and see if the odor persists. If it does, then try the stealership.
Then it's not something inside the air system then... which is a good thing, IMHO. Getting rid of odors and what's causing them once they're already in the HVAC system is a major pain.
If the mechanic really changed out the cat, then I'd have them check the charcoal/evap canister. Rotten egg smell indicates presence of sulphur, and the cat and evap canister are about the only places that something like that would linger.
I wouldn't be surprised if you got some gas that had some diesel mixed in with it. Have you been buying your gas at the same place since the smell began? If so, try burning off this tank, get your gas somewhere else and see if the odor persists. If it does, then try the stealership.
The mechanic did change out the cat, but I have since found out why it was so cheap. He got it from a junk yard. Not that junk yard parts are bad, but I am beginning to wonder if the cat has a pin hole leak in it somewhere.
Yes,I always buy gas at the same place. I will put some good stuff in it and see if it helps.
Where is the charcoal filter locatedon the vehicle? Is that a dealer only part?
Thanks for your help!
Accountant
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 9
RE: Smell Through The A/C After Coming To A Stop
Well, I took it to the dealership. They said the junkyard cat was bad, so $800 dollars later I still have the smell. It was OK for 2 days and then it started again.
Question: If the timing was off could it create this smell. I had the timing belt replaced when the junkyard cat was put on. If the belt was one or two teeth off could it affect the fuel - air mixture enough to create this smell?
Thanks,
Accountant
Question: If the timing was off could it create this smell. I had the timing belt replaced when the junkyard cat was put on. If the belt was one or two teeth off could it affect the fuel - air mixture enough to create this smell?
Thanks,
Accountant