Thread: Strong sulphur smell in TD5 ventilation system

Originally Posted by Bohica

You have your opinion and I have science. Overcharging a battery can produce H2S. Google it.

Hi Bohica,

Concerning your first sentence, I think much the same, but which of us may be correct isn't really the main point here.

In my previous post on this, I went on to suggest that Akula get the battery charge-rate tested, to establish whether or not it is too high.
If the battery is not being overcharged, then this becomes a total non-issue in the actual context of the discussion, because (even if you're right), there would not be any Hydrogen Sulphide being produced by overcharging.

Agreed?

Cheers,
Andrew Milne

Originally Posted by johntins

I take it you aren't constantly following a new car around?

This was tongue in cheek, but it leads me to ask: have you checked the exhaust manifold for the dreaded warping causing the studs to undo and the gasket to leak? Or, as Pippin says, the EGR? A leak, combined with a higher sulphur content fuel could be the issue. The intermittent bit could simply be caused by you fuelling up somewhere else from time to time, or forward motion blowing the leaked gas away from the vent intake.

Just a guess, like all the others.

Originally Posted by akula

I am crap with electronic stuff, how do you do that? My Nanocom gives batt volts I think.

I also have a duel battery system to confuse the matter.

Hi Akula,

your mention of having a dual battery could be relevant to the smell you experience in the cabin.

If one of your batteries is located close to the turbo-charger, it is likely to get very hot, resulting in accelerated loss of electrolyte and general deterioration.
That could be a source of sulphurous odour.

AND: this position is very close to the air-intake for the cabin ventilation.

IF the second battery isnext to the turbo, what about lifting the bonnet when the engine is at normal operating temp, leaning over and sniffing near the battery? Also checking the electrolyte level, if it is a battery where that can be done.

I suggest wearing safety goggles for this.

Cheers,
Andrew

Originally Posted by johntins

I take it you aren't constantly following a new car around?

I do recall I used to hate having the VP-VN commodores pass me, they stunk big time. Maybe that's the reason people called them dunnydores?

Originally Posted by Roverlord off road spares

I do recall I used to hate having the VP-VN commodores pass me, they stunk big time. Maybe that's the reason people called them dunnydores?

VLs were the worst. What was surprising was that Nissan could build that ( rather good ) 3.0 litre engine in a Skyline without the smell, but Holden couldn't do it in the Commodore.

Some good advice here. From what I've read, the good money would have to be on the overcharged battery. Assuming the exhaust system is free of leaks, but surely you would hear these. However, if your battery is totally sealed, what then ? Checking the battery charge is probably the first step, I'd suggest.

Originally Posted by Roverlord off road spares

found this googling also mentions smell from battery.

Rotten Egg or Sulfur Smell Coming from Diesel Exhaust

by Robert Moore
Diesel exhaust has always had a significant smell compared to the smell of a gasoline engine's exhaust, but in general it shouldn’t exhibit much of a sulfurous smell. A sulfur or rotten egg smell is exactly that, the presence of hydrogen sulfide in the exhaust system. There are a number of causes for the rotten egg smell you are experiencing, including a source of stench that may not even have anything to do with the exhaust or engine at all.

A Bit More About Diesel

Diesel fuel is often referred to as diesel oil because it is refined from crude oil, just like gasoline. Interestingly enough, diesel produces more energy than gasoline at 147,000 BTU per gallon as opposed to gasoline's 125,000 BTU. There is always going to be a certain amount of sulfur in diesel fuel, which depends largely on the quality of the crude oil it was made from. The different companies that produce diesel fuel are bound to certain specifications; however, the amount of sulfur in any given company's diesel fuel will vary.


Types of Diesel

There are two different types of diesel; Basic diesel and ULSD, or ultra low sulfur diesel. Regular diesel can have up to 5000 parts per million of sulfur to be legally sold within the United States, as to where ULSD-rated diesel can have a maximum of 15 parts per million. Technically, there are three different grades of diesel fuel rated for use with diesel engines: No. 1-D S15, or ULSD, which is rated at a maximum of 15 PPM, No.1-D S500 can have a maximum of 500 PPM and NO.1-D S5000, which can have a maximum rating of 5000 PPM.



Sulfur Smell in Exhaust

There are a couple of things than can cause a sulfur smell to be emitted with your exhaust gases. The first of which depends on the quality of the fuel available from your local gas station. If your gas station supplies the lowest grade of diesel, there could be up to 5000 PPM in sulfur content, which could cause a light-to-moderate sulfur or rotten egg smell in your exhaust. Pay attention to the grade of fuel you purchase, as a ULSD-grade diesel fuel -- noted on the pump -- has a lower sulfur content. ULSD-grade fuel can often be found at more popular or brand name gas stations. The only other likely cause for the sulfur smell, barring fuel quality, is either too much fuel being wasted and burning off in the catalytic converter or a clogged catalytic converter that releases too much sulfur. However, your vehicle may not be equipped with a catalytic converter, since diesel engines release lower amounts of noxious gases compared to gasoline. If your vehcile has a catalytic converter and ULSD grade fuel doesn’t solve your problem, you should probably look into replacing the converter.


The Battery

Often a noticeable sulfur smell in the cab can be confused for a rotten egg smell in the exhaust. The only thing under the hood that will likely emit a sulfur smell would be your battery or batteries, depending on your vehicle's set up. This will involve looking into your alternator or generator's performance, as well as the voltage and amperage it should be supplying. An alternator that is faulty or has a bad external regulator could be overcharging the battery, causing the electrolytic fluid inside to boil; which in turn creates a sulfur smell. Let your engine idle for a while and inspect your battery. If there is fluid escaping the caps on the top of the battery, your charging system probably has a fault that needs to be diagnosed and repaired immediately. Keep in mind that an over charged battery poses the risk of a potentially deadly explosion, making it a good idea to wear safety glasses and fire-proof clothing when inspecting the battery and charging system.




ALSO SOME OPINIONS ON A DIESEL FORUM, On battery over charging,
Rotten Egg Smell! - TheDieselPage.com Forums

Well done Mario
Google and Science in the same post

Originally Posted by bob10

Some good advice here. From what I've read, the good money would have to be on the overcharged battery. Assuming the exhaust system is free of leaks, but surely you would hear these. However, if your battery is totally sealed, what then ? Checking the battery charge is probably the first step, I'd suggest.

Battery totally sealed no wet cell battery is totally sealed
See Science and Google is your friend
Battery ventilation is vital