TOPIC: Rotten egg smell

1985 Chrysler 5th Ave. 318 engine.
After running for a while I am getting a real strong rotten egg smell.
What could the problem be? engine only has 102,000 miles. I am getting about 19 mpg. runs a little rough while idling but smooths out while running down the road.
I purchased this car 1 1/2 year ago, haven't driven it much.
Help, any ideas appreciated. thanks.

Rotten Eggs

The smell of rotten eggs is due to a compound called hydrogen sulfide. This comes from the small amount of sulfur that is present in the fuel. Normally the sulfur is converted to sulfur dioxide, which has no odor. When the converter breaks or the filtering layers have worn down inside the converter, the sulfur is not transformed into the odorless form. Therefore a strong rotten egg smell is produced. Another possible cause for this smell may be that the converter is plugged. Unfortunately you cannot repair a converter but need to have it completely replaced. Two other causes of rotten eggs besides a broken catalytic converter include an engine that is running too hot or a broken fuel pressure regulator. You can easily deal with the fuel pressure regulator by replacing the fuel filter.Some things associated with flooding a converter with fuel are: a defective oxygen sensor, a leaking Carburetor, and a defective pressure regulator.

If you are getting 19 mpg i think it is your catalytic converter is this car groved.

Hi, not sure what you mean by "is his car groved"?
What is approximate cost for replacing the converter?
Thanks

Casinojunkie, Bill is asking if this Chrysler has had the Gadgetman Groove applied to it. I'm gonna gues that is has not--'cause I think your Chrysler likely has a Quadrajet carb on it (stock) Far as I know nobody has successfully Grooved a Q-Jet-the throttle blades have almost no material below them to install the Groove. Does this one have the Quadrajet 4 barrel carb?

Ad if it does have a Q Jet (or a Carter Thermoquad, or any other carb) is it stand alone, or is it a computer contriolled feedback type?

And I second Bill 'bout the catylitic converter. They can be $pendy, but ask around muffler shops to find out about an aftermarket replacement one. Any exhaust shop will be glad to check yours out and give a quote for replacement. I prefer the high-flow types myself.


Tracy G

I am not sure what carburetor is on this one. I think it is a 2-bbl.
Thank you for the idea of taking it to a muffler shop and seeing if they can tell me the problem and what cost is to fix.

Casino (that's not your real name, is it?)
In order for us to help, we need some real data on your vehicle. That's causing some confusion to be sure, and is why I recommend everyone post the year, make and model of the vehicle as the topic. That way we have the basics.

From there, we need a list of the modifications (et al) that have been performed on the engine.

And you should please sign your posts with your real name, as a gesture of respect. We want to be a family and want to know our brothers and sisters!

And the sulfur smell is coming from your fuel. It's a by-product of combustion, but poor combustion.

Now, who are you, where are you, what's your vehicle and what's been done to it?

Ron

Good morning Ron,
Sorry, real name is Dallas and I live in Iowa.
I purchased this 1985 Chrysler 5th Ave, a year ago in may. I has the 318ci engine, I think it is a 2 bbl carb. Only has 102,000 miles on it. To my knowledge no modifications were ever done to the engine.
I drive it occasionally but this last fill of fuel is when it started to stink.
Thanks for the suggestion about the fuel and poor combustion.
How can I tell if it is bad combustion?
I will soon refuel with a different type fuel and see if smell disappears.
Hope I have covered all things needed.
Thanks, Dallas

Hey Dallas a picture is worth a thousand words...take the top off the air cleaner and get pics looking straight down at the top of carb. then remove air cleaner housing take more pics. If they are good pics I will be able to tell whatcha got 'dere

BTW it was about '85 I think that Chrysler changed the 318 CID engine to a roller-cam type. I used to see em at pick n pull, pretty extinct nowdays. Whichever carb it has, it probably has bad gaskets vac. leaks and needs a rebuild. It may also be the dreaded Lean-Burn system. I've converted these to a better configuration before. But most would not spend the time & $$ to do it right. Too bad-this was one of Mother Mopar last RWD platforms and can be a nice driving ride. 100K is low miles for one of these. Hope the oil got changed often enough!

Tracy G

Hey Dallas,

Have you got The Gadgetman Groove into that Chrysler? That will take care of a LOT of that issue, if not eliminating it completely.

It doesn't appear you're part of our network, but we'd love to help you out. Why don't you give me a call at 406-361-0491 and we'll see about getting you into Gadgetman Land for REALS!

Ron