Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Nasty Smell from the Engine compartment

I know this has been talked about on other forums but nobody is really detailed on where the smell is coming from and when.

I have a 95 mystique GS Zetec and every time I drive around for a while and the car gets to running temp I smell a really nasty(I think it's a sulfer smell) coming from the engine compartment. I have no CEL light on and I have more than enough performance, no problems with the car yet at 111,000 miles.I dont think it would be the o2 sensor because I have plenty of power and not haveing a CEL light on doesnt indicate a problem.

Just wondering if anybody has had this specific smell/problem. If so please reply with advice/fixes for this problem.

I'll get that smell, but only when I push the car at WOT to over 5000 rpms. Its my understanding that the smell is coming from the cat and its normal under those conditions.

If you're just driving "normal" and you get that smell you may have a plugged cat or something. Someone with more experience than me probably could give a better diagnosis.

If raw fuel makes it to the cat, you will get the sulfer / rotten egg smell. There can be a number of causes for this.

I am having this same problem as well. Mine usually smells at WOT, or when going up hills. Its so bad sometimes, it makes me want to puke.I'm not sure, but i think the problem is that your engine is getting too much fuel, and its being dumped into your cat, where it burns up. This could end up buring a hole in your cat, which i've heard isn't very cheap. I'm getting my engine checked out tomorrow though. It could be a O2 sensor, fuel injector, or anything in the fuel system. I'll let you know what happens.

mine is also doing this, I notice it most often when having to climb a hill and use WOT. normally i only use 80% throttle, maybe it is at the same time but it is when the engine is struggling a bit, like if I don't down shift when going up a hill and have to lay into it, the car runs fine, and pulls hard, no cel or anything

Well, i took my car in yesterday, and there were no engine codes. So, the guy thought it might be the spark plugs not sparking correctly, which is how the fuel made it to the cat. Sure enought, the gap in the spark plugs were too wide, and they all needed to be replaced. So far, i haven't smelled anything, but i have a hard time believing that fixed it.

Originally posted by spacemonkey:

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Well, i took my car in yesterday, and there were no engine codes. So, the guy thought it might be the spark plugs not sparking correctly, which is how the fuel made it to the cat. Sure enought, the gap in the spark plugs were too wide, and they all needed to be replaced. So far, i haven't smelled anything, but i have a hard time believing that fixed it.

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Hmmm...

A few months ago I replaced the plugs and wires. I had to gap the plugs, and I used a spacer to make sure they were correct. I get the sulfur smell at WOT, but its not all that bad from inside the car; maybe one or more plugs are spaced wrong? I'm also having a problem at WOT at higher speeds which I detailed here. At normal speeds there's no problem, even at WOT.

Is it possible my plugs are off and this is causing the above issues?

Its definately worth checking into. I know that my car runs a whole lot better overall with new plugs. As of today, i still haven't smelled anything. I'm no mechanic, but i would check your spark plug gaps. I believe they should be somewhere between 45 and 65, but it should say on the bottom side of your hood as well.

Try looking at the Cabin Air filter. Check owners manual for where it is.