Sulfur Smell from Exhaust

rev29k · 03-27-2017, 09:28 AM

Wife went to leave this am when she started getting a heavy Sulfur smell from her exhaust. Car is an 06' E90 330i, 155K miles. She said it had a rough idle, but I didn't notice it when I went out to investigate. But I guess we can say it did for arguments sake. We always use 93 Octane from the same Shell, which she just filled up a few days ago. No check engine light this am either. Not sure if this is something I can TS myself, or if it needs to go to the shop. Or if I should just run through the tank of gas. I am reading it can be a faulty O2 sensor, but this car has 4 it seems like, so that would be a costly guess, given no codes were thrown (I will try scanning tonight just to be sure, but no CEL came on).

Also reading it can be a fuel pressure regulator. Any ideas on how to approach this guys? I'd like to try to fix myself if it's doable, but it also seems like I am guessing with no codes to go by. Or do I just deal with it for now and see if it goes away?

TIA guys!

rev29k · 03-27-2017, 10:03 AM

Another thing I wonder if it might be is a bad coil. Plugs aren't too old, maybe 40-50K, but those are good for 100K usually. If I have a bum ignition pack, then that could be running rich, causing the smell, right?

The Nightman · 03-27-2017, 10:40 AM

That smell is usually from a faulty ignition coil misfiring. It could be intermittent and only misfires under load. Let us know if there are any codes

rev29k · 03-27-2017, 03:13 PM

I didn't see any CEL this morning, but I will check again tonight. I have a couple of new coil packs just in case, but ordered 4 more to speed up the TS'ing in case I don't have a code, or there are multiple packs failing. I plan to replace all six, start her up and see what we get.

STR8-6IX · 03-27-2017, 11:30 PM

I would replace the o2 sensor.

the smell is very likely due to an aging or partially clogged cat.

there are some methods (lots of repeated redlines) which would probably help clear shit out.

rev29k · 03-28-2017, 08:22 AM

WHICH 02 Sensor? It looks like it has 4.

Meanwhile, I went to put my 6 new coil packs in and they were keyed differently UGGGH!! (tab was on the left, mine is in the center), so I couldn't install them. I got them off Amazon so returning them and since I had the old ones out, was able to search with the correct part number and I'll get 6 correct ones ordered today.

STR8-6IX · 03-28-2017, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rev29k

WHICH 02 Sensor? It looks like it has 4.

Meanwhile, I went to put my 6 new coil packs in and they were keyed differently UGGGH!! (tab was on the left, mine is in the center), so I couldn't install them. I got them off Amazon so returning them and since I had the old ones out, was able to search with the correct part number and I'll get 6 correct ones ordered today.

um..well if you're not getting any codes probably no point.

I would try clearing out the cats tho. at night when the car is warm go onto an empty highway, redline it, slow down, then redline it again like 5 times this should help clear them out and it will run better.

rev29k · 03-28-2017, 01:55 PM

That doesn't sound too smart. It was running rough when it started smelling. Just because there isn't a code doesn't mean a coil can't be going out....

Prior to this, had an ongoing issue where the car would go into limp mode if I floored it (not necessarily kick down mode) and throw a CEL, but there wouldn't be any codes. Even my mechanic couldn't find any.

Anyways, got some ordered again. I'll swap all 6 out, test, and see if that's it. If I still have the problem, then I know it isn't a coil issue and can return them.

rev29k · 04-03-2017, 07:52 AM

OK, so I got my new set of coils in on Friday, installed them and still got the same issue. Running very rough. Don't think the plugs are the issue and they aren't that old. So ended up having her towed to the shop to have them take a look. Should hear back today with a status.

Wolf 335 · 04-03-2017, 08:50 AM

Is there any gasoline in the exhaust pipe that you can see once the car is on?

rev29k · 04-03-2017, 11:42 AM

Not that I noticed. I didn't specifically look for anything there, but I also didn't see anything dripping either.

Wolf 335 · 04-03-2017, 12:47 PM

Check if the pipe is wet inside, touch it then smell it. If it's gasoline then your injector is stuck open.

STR8-6IX · 04-03-2017, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rev29k

Not that I noticed. I didn't specifically look for anything there, but I also didn't see anything dripping either.

does the car burn oil?

I've already explained to you that it is a clogged cat. either replace it, or try saving yourself alot of money by redlining the shit out of it and clear things out.. like several times.

rev29k · 04-03-2017, 01:40 PM

I was right!

Problem ended up being a coil(s). Apparently with the new design the electrical connection (wiring harness, not spark plug) isn't as smooth, and I didn't have them all connected correctly. That stinks because I've had the old coils off several times before and never had any problems.

At any rate...beats a much more expensive fix...could have been much worse...

Thanks for all your help guys!

Wolf 335 · 04-04-2017, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rev29k

I was right!

Problem ended up being a coil(s). Apparently with the new design the electrical connection (wiring harness, not spark plug) isn't as smooth, and I didn't have them all connected correctly. That stinks because I've had the old coils off several times before and never had any problems.

At any rate...beats a much more expensive fix...could have been much worse...

Thanks for all your help guys!

This is good news. Thanks for the update!

03-27-2017, 09:28 AM	#1
rev29k Private 12 Rep 58 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Silverstone over Black Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Tampa, FL iTrader: (0)	Sulfur Smell from Exhaust Wife went to leave this am when she started getting a heavy Sulfur smell from her exhaust. Car is an 06' E90 330i, 155K miles. She said it had a rough idle, but I didn't notice it when I went out to investigate. But I guess we can say it did for arguments sake. We always use 93 Octane from the same Shell, which she just filled up a few days ago. No check engine light this am either. Not sure if this is something I can TS myself, or if it needs to go to the shop. Or if I should just run through the tank of gas. I am reading it can be a faulty O2 sensor, but this car has 4 it seems like, so that would be a costly guess, given no codes were thrown (I will try scanning tonight just to be sure, but no CEL came on). Also reading it can be a fuel pressure regulator. Any ideas on how to approach this guys? I'd like to try to fix myself if it's doable, but it also seems like I am guessing with no codes to go by. Or do I just deal with it for now and see if it goes away? TIA guys!
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

03-27-2017, 10:03 AM	#2
rev29k Private 12 Rep 58 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Silverstone over Black Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Tampa, FL iTrader: (0)	Another thing I wonder if it might be is a bad coil. Plugs aren't too old, maybe 40-50K, but those are good for 100K usually. If I have a bum ignition pack, then that could be running rich, causing the smell, right?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-27-2017, 10:40 AM	#3
The Nightman Cometh 1090 Rep 1,308 Posts Drives: Boy's Soul Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Boy's Hole iTrader: (4) Garage List E90 LCI "330i& ... [10.00]	That smell is usually from a faulty ignition coil misfiring. It could be intermittent and only misfires under load. Let us know if there are any codes
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-27-2017, 03:13 PM	#4
rev29k Private 12 Rep 58 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Silverstone over Black Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Tampa, FL iTrader: (0)	I didn't see any CEL this morning, but I will check again tonight. I have a couple of new coil packs just in case, but ordered 4 more to speed up the TS'ing in case I don't have a code, or there are multiple packs failing. I plan to replace all six, start her up and see what we get.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-27-2017, 11:30 PM	#5
STR8-6IX Banned 537 Rep 2,825 Posts Drives: RWD 528i N52 Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Toronto iTrader: (0)	I would replace the o2 sensor. the smell is very likely due to an aging or partially clogged cat. there are some methods (lots of repeated redlines) which would probably help clear shit out.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-28-2017, 08:22 AM	#6
rev29k Private 12 Rep 58 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Silverstone over Black Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Tampa, FL iTrader: (0)	WHICH 02 Sensor? It looks like it has 4. Meanwhile, I went to put my 6 new coil packs in and they were keyed differently UGGGH!! (tab was on the left, mine is in the center), so I couldn't install them. I got them off Amazon so returning them and since I had the old ones out, was able to search with the correct part number and I'll get 6 correct ones ordered today.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

03-28-2017, 01:55 PM	#8
rev29k Private 12 Rep 58 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Silverstone over Black Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Tampa, FL iTrader: (0)	That doesn't sound too smart. It was running rough when it started smelling. Just because there isn't a code doesn't mean a coil can't be going out.... Prior to this, had an ongoing issue where the car would go into limp mode if I floored it (not necessarily kick down mode) and throw a CEL, but there wouldn't be any codes. Even my mechanic couldn't find any. Anyways, got some ordered again. I'll swap all 6 out, test, and see if that's it. If I still have the problem, then I know it isn't a coil issue and can return them.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-03-2017, 07:52 AM	#9
rev29k Private 12 Rep 58 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Silverstone over Black Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Tampa, FL iTrader: (0)	OK, so I got my new set of coils in on Friday, installed them and still got the same issue. Running very rough. Don't think the plugs are the issue and they aren't that old. So ended up having her towed to the shop to have them take a look. Should hear back today with a status.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-03-2017, 08:50 AM	#10
Wolf 335 Brigadier General 2341 Rep 3,541 Posts Drives: 2007 E92 335i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: GTA - Greater Toronto Area iTrader: (0)	Is there any gasoline in the exhaust pipe that you can see once the car is on?
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-03-2017, 11:42 AM	#11
rev29k Private 12 Rep 58 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Silverstone over Black Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Tampa, FL iTrader: (0)	Not that I noticed. I didn't specifically look for anything there, but I also didn't see anything dripping either.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-03-2017, 12:47 PM	#12
Wolf 335 Brigadier General 2341 Rep 3,541 Posts Drives: 2007 E92 335i Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: GTA - Greater Toronto Area iTrader: (0)	Check if the pipe is wet inside, touch it then smell it. If it's gasoline then your injector is stuck open. Last edited by Wolf 335; 04-04-2017 at 07:27 AM..
	Appreciate 0 Quote

04-03-2017, 01:40 PM	#14
rev29k Private 12 Rep 58 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Silverstone over Black Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Tampa, FL iTrader: (0)	I was right! Problem ended up being a coil(s). Apparently with the new design the electrical connection (wiring harness, not spark plug) isn't as smooth, and I didn't have them all connected correctly. That stinks because I've had the old coils off several times before and never had any problems. At any rate...beats a much more expensive fix...could have been much worse... Thanks for all your help guys!
	Appreciate 0 Quote