jeeper2269

stupid auto correct.

Service department blames it on the fuel in the winter because it has sulfur in it. I am just asking them to replace the cat all together. We will see what happens.

I cant imagine they would refuse to fix the problem. Especially how much we paid for it.

Sasnuke

It is true that fuel companies do adjust the gas formula for winter and summer...not saying or agreeing that this is the cause of the smell, just pointing out the dealer isn't completely BS'ing you.
Unfortunately the cat's are not cheap, and if the dealer is going to warranty a replacement, they have to be sure (or reasonably sure) that this will fix the problem. If Lexus corporate rejects the dealers warranty claim, then the dealer is paying for it out of pocket.'
The reality is, if the fuel is the problem, then replacing the cats will fix the problem now, but in the same amount of time (give or take) that it took the problem to occur the first time, it will happen again.

Consider they may ask you to change fuel stations and grade of fuel for at least a few tank fulls to be sure the issue is still there, and it really is the cats.

jeeper2269

Lexus Eugene is saying they won't replace the cats unless it is throwing a code. UNBELIEVABLE

I bought this car because I loved the new model and Lexus had treated me so good in the past. Very upsetting.

Sasnuke

Sorry to hear that Jeepers. Honestly I'm not surprised.

Could you ever reproduce the smell for the dealer?

Looking at both sides of the situation, if they did replace it, Lexus corporate would probably have a cow. If you had a code, then it would be a piece of cake to replace them...even if it didn't fix the problem. Lexus might only have a small cow then.
Have you tried a different brand of fuel and octane...maybe a higher octane for a few tanks to see if it goes away?
Mine has that smell too...always after I give the car a decent trashing on the road...but really I don't drive the car a lot, so that's why it does it...average 8,000kms per year, or about 4,000 miles per year.

Solara350

I don't why you still don't believe us, it's not the Cat, its the Gas as Sasuke said, fill in some super top Gas in there and go WOT as someone said in here to clean up your vapor and dirt in there, Dealer only do it when we have a certain Pcode or present noise, sanuke is a Lexus Tech in Canada he knows about dealer better.

jeeper2269

would non ethanol be best?

Sasnuke

I'm not sure what you guys in the US have available for fuel choices, but yes, if you can eliminate the ethanol, that would be best.
I use Shell Gold up here in the north.

jeeper2269

Well, Lexus has agreed to take a look at it after all. I am not going to agree to pay for anything. But I am going to do what you guys suggested. I will run the best shell non ethanol and see how it works out. Thank you for the info guys. Much appreciated

jeeper2269

Okay Guys, this is what Lexus said when I took her in this weekend.

jeeper2269

I drove her pretty hard yesterday over the pass and it seems to be gettIng better. Do I need to just pay for new cats if it keeps doing it?

Sasnuke

You noted it was getting better, so i'm assuming you switched fuel?
I was at my Shell today and noticed the Ethanol rating...V-Power (previously Gold) No Ethanol, Silver 5%, and Bronze 10%.
I was also looking at the gas cap while refueling and noticed the No E20-E85 symbol on it...it recommends nothing higher than E15. I'll assume that's a US thing as we don't use those ratings here.

Honestly I would just keep up with the no ethanol fuel for a few more tanks and see if the odor is gone.
In theory if you replace the cats now and keep using the no ethanol fuel, it shouldn't ever return...but why spend the money if you don't have to...those cats are not cheap.

jeeper2269

I guess I will just run the non-ethanol and drive it in manual mode and keep the rpms high for a while and see what happens.

Thanks for the info guys.

e60bmw

iTrader: (1)

Put in some redline fuel cleaner just before you fill up next time.