Quick background, could be just bad timing but this last week I installed new seal kits into my power steering pump and steering box to take care of those pesky leaks. Accidentally forgot to tighten one of the intake hose clamps down. Drove 20 miles and when I got home had a horrible sulfur smell coming from the truck exhaust. Now I had no idle issue or anything that made me think I had a vacuum leak, just assumed that having that loose would indeed leak.


Now searching around I found its commonly running too rich that can dump enough extra fuel in and cause your cat to start burning up, giving you that smell of sulfur.

Although I had always associated a lean condition with a vacuum leak (from not tightening the intake clamp). So my question is, what are the chances that this loose clamp would of caused the sulfur smell? After I tightened the clamp and took it for a short drive the smell was less. Went on a 40 mile drive today and I smell nothing now.

If the loose clamp, and vacuum leak didn't cause the smell, could it be gone now because i totally toasted my cat, and its no longer causing the smell?


Hopefully that all made sense. Let me know what you guys think, I'm not enough of an expert to feel confident with my diagnosis and solution, worried I'm going to ruin something if I keep driving it.

To note, I did a full tuneup about 5000 miles ago and have had no problems until just after the power steering fix up.

Tested my o2 sensor and it is working.

 

I am assuming this is a 22re? I have seen California models that are carbed have O2 sensors. I might suspect the catalytic converter for some issues. 2 of my trucks don't have the catalytic converter and I don't have the sulfur smell.

 

Ah sorry not sure what happened to my signature, it is a 3vze. 88'

 

I do not know the 3.0 but maybe this will bump you to the top where someone else can help.

 

Well just thought I would update this. After fixing the possible vacuum leak, and resetting the ECU, i have no more weird exhaust smell. Hopefully that was the cause! Either that, or my cat totally burnt up and there is nothing left to smell in there

My best guess is that having a vacuum leak during the initial 10 miles of learning time for the ECU could of possibly cause it to run too rich, especially while having to adjust for non-stock injectors (flamethrower).

Will let you guys know in a 1.5 years if my cat doesn't pass smog