MX-3.com

Hello

Can anyone tell why my exhaust smells like ****.
espacially when I'm in reverse.

I have a custom cat-back system by the way.
Could it be a clogged cat converter?

Odds

When you first start up, cold cat and cold piston rings mean lots of contamination in the exhaust. Then, backing up means you back right into the exhaust. Therefore, you smell bad exhaust smell.

also depends on grade of fuel you use, noticed that 87 stinks most, if you fuel up with 93 it doesnt smell bad at all

if it smells like rotten eggs, it's your cat.

Originally posted by OsoSlo z28:
if it smells like rotten eggs, it's your cat.

not necessarily.... some gas when processed still contain high levels of sulfer hence the rotten egg smell. It all depends on the shipment of gas and if the station you buy it has good quality and doesnt buy the bargain ****

here in Norway we only have 95 and 98 octan. I use the 98.
If it is my cat. Do I need to replace it?
cause I've been quoted almost a thousand dollars for a new one at my local dealer.
Of course we don't use $ here, but you get it.
are there any aftermarket cats that I can get and
still pass emissions?

Odds

Have you tested it for emissions?
Mine failed, and I changes o2 sensors, sparkplugs & oil, and I still fail (although CO levels were halfed), guess it might be 98 octane and not warm enough Cat thats the problem.
(atleast I hope so, dont wanna change my Cat again)

nope-mx3

theres a special bulliten at the Mazda dealership that discusses the "rotten egg smell". Basicly change your gas to a higher octane, don't use any octane boost because it may increase the amount of sulfer already in the fuel.

Change the fuel, after driving 100 miles or so it shouln't be happening, or it will occur less.

I personally never had the problem, always stuck to super and more recently v-power at shell.

Cheveron and shell is what dealerships usually use.

Originally posted by odds1:
here in Norway we only have 95 and 98 octan. I use the 98.
If it is my cat. Do I need to replace it?
cause I've been quoted almost a thousand dollars for a new one at my local dealer.
Of course we don't use $ here, but you get it.
are there any aftermarket cats that I can get and
still pass emissions?

Odds

Don't confuse the US octane numbers with the measure we use in Europe. If you have a standard K8 engine, you only need 90 RON, so 95 is fine. 98 is a waste of money.

Originally posted by odds1:
If it is my cat. Do I need to replace it?
cause I've been quoted almost a thousand dollars for a new one at my local dealer.
Odds

You mean a new cat alone will run you almost a grand? Can't you just buy one online/ebay and get a muffler shop to do it? That's REALLY alot of cash for a CC.

I have tested emissions and it was fine.
When friends drive behind me they say that they
can smell it inside their cars.

I thought 1000$ was quite expensive.
Maybe Mazda tried to ripp me off.

If I buy a high flow cat thingy, will I still be able to
pass emissions? because a friend of mine bought one
and he failed by a lot. that was noe a mx3 though.
And where is a good place to buy one of these?
And will this get rid of the smell?

I didn't know there were difference in european
octane and us octane. Guess I thought octane was
octane.


Odds

Originally posted by odds1:
...I didn't know there were difference in european octane and us octane. Guess I thought octane was octane.

This link has the story.

describe the smell because we've offered you tips to get rid of a rotten egg smell but if it isnt that then what does it smell like?

oil burning?
running rich?
do your friends see any smoke coming from your exhaust when they're behind you, if so what color is it?

switch to another gas station....its the sulfer in the gas....1,000 quoted.....dude, don't go to the mazda dealership for parts, they quoted me 500 dollars for a front and back bumper, unpainted (and i get a discount)...