Explorer sulpher smell / check engine light
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Senior User
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From: British Columbia
Explorer sulpher smell / check engine light
Hello, my friend has a 98 Explorer w/ 4.0 OHV. Yesterday he suddenly smelled a strong rotten egg smell followed by the check engine light which now remains on. All the threads I have read point to catalytic converters however he had his gutted about 2 months ago. What else? O2 sensor? Is there more than 1 O2 sensor? Should I try my code reader?
Thanks
007BRONCO
Thanks
007BRONCO
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Definitely use the code reader to grab the code and post it here for us to look at. It can help point us in the right direction. Absent the code, my first thought is an O2 sensor. I have a 97 4.0, it has 3 O2 sensors. One in each side of the Y-pipe and one by the cat converter. How does the engine run?
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From: Pauline, South Carolina
Are you sure all of the catalytic converters are gutted. I'm not sure about the explorers, but I have saw some fords that had two catalyic converters in series. Also, if there is some of the ceramic material left in the housings, it can create the smell.
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Senior User
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From: British Columbia
Yes, but his cats are both empty (assuming the shop did a good job). He would have had them cut right off but one of the sensors was too close. I am going to run the codes for him tomorrow. Will the code reader be able to pinpoint a specific O2 sensor if there is more than 1?
Thanks all for your replies so far.
007BRONCO
Thanks all for your replies so far.
007BRONCO
Last edited by 007bronco; Jan 14, 2006 at 08:09 PM.
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: Eastern WA
Back in 1995 when OBD-II found it's way to Ford vehicles, one of the things monitored by the onboard electronic engine management system is catalytic converter performance/effectiveness. This is accomplished by using an O2 sensor (or perhaps sensors depending on the vehicle) downstream of the converter. By gutting the converter and not taking this into consideration and addresseing it (there is a way), you can expect a CEL (and so I've read and on more than one occasion). On the egg fart smell, this is commonly caused by a rich mixture. Yes, an O2 sensor can cause this but several other things can too (for example, an engine not running warm enough). Your best bet on this will be to begin by doing a visual on the engine for obvious problems (electrical or vacuum hose issues) followed by pulling codes. When visually inspecting, pay extra attention to the EVAP emission system and inspect the gas cap (seal in particular).
Last edited by CowboyBilly9Mile; Jan 14, 2006 at 08:29 PM.
