When I first start the truck, and sometimes even after I have run for 800 or so miles my exhaust smells excessivly pungent. I know the exhaust stinks in general but I have 135,000 miles on an I was wondering if the cat could be shot. I do pass quite a bit of water from the tail pipe but that goes away like normal when it gets hot. I have a 2003 v-10 and I hope that I can get some help, you all never let me down. If the cat and muffler are the culprit then what kind of exhaust should I put on? I don't want to loose mileage, but would not be opposed to a aftermarket system.

Thanks in advanced, Bryan

 

That sulfur smell is definantly signalling a failing cat' converter.

I'd replace with a factory unit as they are known to flow just as well as any performance aftermarket unit. Meaning: there ain't a lot of restriction in it.

Your taste for sound will dictate your replacment muffler. I doubt you need a new muffler though.

 

I'm guessing the muffler and/or cat may be to blame. Either that or you're running rich or lean and your engine needs time to balance things out. If it turns out to be the muffler, look into an aeroturbine muffler. Other mufflers like flowmaster, dynaflow, and magnaflow, don't really do much for the V10 and sometimes have a nasty sound to them. The aeroturbine seems to really make a difference on the V10. Bigslurp put one on his V10 X and loves it. Check out some of these threads:

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...ht=Aeroturbine

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...ht=Aeroturbine

https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/s...ht=Aeroturbine

There are also high performace cats that do a better job than the stocks, it's just a matter of finding them. Going to a dual setup on the V10 is generally not recommended. The V10's exhaust system is relatively sensitive; you can lose in one area, gain in another, or just lose altogether. Most V10 owners do the Y-pipe mod, slap an aeroturbine muffler on that's all they need. (do a search in the V10 forum on this) If it is indeed your exhaust system, I suggest this route over anything else. The Aeroturbine may cost you a little, but you get alot of bang for your buck. I know, I own one!

Edit: Yikes! It seems Monsta beat me to it! Quite a night-owl aren't you Monsta?

 

Thanks, I will check out the muffler and a new cat. I will search for the Y pipe mod too, I just as well get it all done at the same time. Like I said, the exhaust is all stock and has over 135000 miles on it with 100000 of it towing. Thanks for the quick replys, as for monsta being a might owl aren't you in Hawaii? That is 5 hours time difference from me, we go there quite alot every year.


Bryan

 

Yeah...Hawaii has that 5 hour time difference.

Just have to reiterate that the stock cat is NOT restrictive to the point where an aftermarket replacement will net you any gain when used as a truck. Maybe if you were racing it at 5000+ RPM all the time... I've talked to a number of guys who wished they woulda spent the money elsewhere.

What does it smell like?

You can tell if you are running too rich...just look at the tailpipe. Is it clean or sooty?

FWIW, I like the sounds of my Banks Moster exhaust & Y-pipe. No loss anywhere.

 

Sorry Monsta, forgot about the Banks system, wasn't trying to down your pipes.

 

Monsta, I really can't describe the smell but it is very strong kinda like a piercing sulfer smell. My tail pipe is clean, not sooty. I have noticed a drop in mpg over the last 40,000 miles. In town I never get more then 9.5 and on the highway I never get more than 11. Not that I am complaining about the mileage, but I also wouldn't complain about my old 11 city and 15 highway.


bryan

 

I didn't think you were!
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Brian, that sulphur smell is a sure sign of a bad cat' converter. Get it replaced.

 

Love your sig Ken. Must have taken a while to type it

Apologies for the hijack. I agree that the sulfer smell is a dead giveaway that the kitty is bad. Is there a downstream O2 sensor on the X? It should be causing some problems pretty soon.

 

Well, that settles it. I'm going on a 3,000 mile business trip with the X and trailer today so I will get the cat and muffler changed when I get back. It shouldn't do anything to drive other than gas mileage?


Bryan