Notices
GS - 2nd Gen (1998-2005) Discussion about the second generation GS300, GS400 and GS430 (1998 - 2005)

CEL and skunky smell

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jan 25, 2012 | 08:07 AM
  #1  
jtgs400's Avatar
jtgs400
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 581
Likes: 0
From: California
Default CEL and skunky smell

Car started having the smell a few weeks ago and now the CEL is on constantly. Car drives just fine, no loss of power or anything. What could it be? I haven't taken the car in yet but I'll have the shop run the code when I bring it in for my next oil change.

**Update**
Finally got the codes pulled. Its p0441 and p0446 which are related to the EVAP system. I checked the hoses around the VSV and surprise, surprise. A broken hose. I'm going to temporarily tape up the hose and clear the codes. If it's still something else then good chance it'll come back pretty quick. In the mean time does anyone know where I can get a new hose? It's the hose coming up from the right fender well which connects to this small black box and that connects to the actual VSV.

Last edited by jtgs400; Mar 6, 2012 at 07:38 PM.
Reply
Old Jan 25, 2012 | 08:37 AM
  #2  
99 GS3's Avatar
99 GS3
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,782
Likes: 32
From: VA
Default

Originally Posted by jtgs400
Car started having the smell a few weeks ago and now the CEL is on constantly. Car drives just fine, no loss of power or anything. What could it be? I haven't taken the car in yet but I'll have the shop run the code when I bring it in for my next oil change.
Possible bad cat, but no sense in guessing without knowing the codes. Your likely looking at a po420 and po430.
Reply
Old Jan 25, 2012 | 11:26 AM
  #3  
GS4_Fiend's Avatar
GS4_Fiend
Lexus Test Driver
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (22)
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 7,415
Likes: 237
Default

Get the codes
Reply
Old Jan 25, 2012 | 11:42 AM
  #4  
L3XOTIC's Avatar
L3XOTIC
Lexus Champion
 
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 3,597
Likes: 3
From: BayArea2RockyMountains
Default

Looks like bad cats.
Reply
Old Jan 25, 2012 | 01:56 PM
  #5  
repugnante's Avatar
repugnante
Instructor
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,013
Likes: 35
From: CA
Default

Yea, if you are getting a "rotten egg" smell, that's sulfur and that generally leads to bad cats. Over time, that cat is going to start rattling and your mpg's will significantly fall
Reply
Old Jan 25, 2012 | 04:25 PM
  #6  
shvc1991's Avatar
shvc1991
Lexus Test Driver
 
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1,599
Likes: 0
From: Massachusetts
Default

^ I'm gonna go with this. Sounds like a bad cat. If it is a cat after you pull the codes, replace with OEM. The aftermarket high-flow cats are pointless.
Reply
Old Jan 25, 2012 | 05:02 PM
  #7  
DosyBoy's Avatar
DosyBoy
Lexus Champion
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 2,097
Likes: 12
From: PGH
Default

Cat fried..
Reply
Old Mar 6, 2012 | 07:39 PM
  #8  
jtgs400's Avatar
jtgs400
Thread Starter
Lead Lap
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 581
Likes: 0
From: California
Default

***updated***
Reply
ClubLexus Stories

Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe

story-0

2026 Lexus IS 350 F Sport Review: The Last of Its Kind Still Rocks

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

Top 10 Most Confusing Things Lexus Has Ever Done!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!

 Joe Kucinski
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
fortitude
ES - 1st to 6th Gen (1990-2018)
15
Jan 30, 2025 06:55 AM
tcsmom289
Maintenance
2
Jun 10, 2014 06:31 PM
bob2200
RX - 1st Gen (1999-2003)
3
Dec 8, 2013 01:33 PM
josephjah
GS - 2nd Gen (1998-2005)
5
Jun 18, 2013 08:12 PM
JBrewster
LS - 1st and 2nd Gen (1990-2000)
6
Mar 15, 2008 10:26 PM




All times are GMT -7. The time now is 05:23 PM.

story-0
2026 Lexus IS 350 F Sport Review: The Last of Its Kind Still Rocks

Slideshow: the 2026 IS 350 isn't all that new, and that's why we love it!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-04 14:35:23


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Confusing Things Lexus Has Ever Done!

Slideshow: 10 most confusing things Lexus has ever done.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-04 09:40:55


VIEW MORE
story-2
2026 Lexus ES Review: Lexus Re-Embraces Founding Principles

Slideshow: Our First-Drive Review of the 2026 Lexus ES!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-29 20:30:16


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Lexus Bargains That are Cheaper Than a New Toyota RAV4

Slideshow: 10 Lexus bargain that are cheaper than a new Toyota.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 10:28:20


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Weirdest Things Lexus Has Ever Built

Slideshow: From hoverboards to luxury yachts, these are the strangest projects Lexus has ever attached its badge to.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-16 11:34:36


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Lexus Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Some luxury cars chase trends, but these Lexus models look better now than they did when they first rolled into showrooms.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-06 17:58:29


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!

Slideshow: How to Get the Best Fuel Economy with a Hybrid and Plug-In Hybrid!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-05 20:54:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers

Slideshow: 10 best Lexus models no one remembers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 17:33:28


VIEW MORE
story-8
TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing

Slideshow: diving into 4Runner TRD Off-Road Premium's pricing, performance, fuel economy, features, and amenities!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-23 13:09:18


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!

Slideshow: the 10 Lexus and Toyota vehicles you need to drive before you die.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-23 10:34:24


VIEW MORE