I just had my Maxima tested for emissions. It passed without a problem, although the readings were a little higher than 2 years ago--the NO was nearly 50% more, but HC and CO were just a little higher. All well within limits.

Aside from that, my exhaust simply smells more noxious than it used to (it has been more noticeable this year). Standing at the rear of the car with the engine running--ack, thhhhpt! It's not a sulfur smell, nor oil. The exhaust looks clean. Engine purrs like a mellow tiger.

I'm assuming it is normal for a car of 100k+ miles and that I'll just have to accept it. Afterall, why pay mega $$$ if it has no bearing on function or performance. But I'm hoping it might be something simple... Any ideas as to what the issue is?

 

im no expert but everytime someone has reported this exact thing about rotten egg smelling exhaust, it is becuz there is a clogged catalytic converter.

sam

 

Try another brand of gas, that works for me when my exaust starts to smell

 

A muffler shop can check this by trying to test the heat at both ends for you.

SuDZ

 

I've tried a few different brands of gas, but not for an extended period of time. Maybe I should do it longer. I've been using Citgo premium (93) regularly over the past couple of years.

When I have time I'll try checking with a muffler shop to see what they say (probably "you need a new catalytic converter, bud" - when I passed emmissions with no problem).

 

you can still pass, but ur performance is gonna suffer greatly, its not on the lines of its not working, more on the lines of that its clogged, like i said im no expert, so someone correct me if im wrong

 

As far as I can tell, I'm not having any performance problems. There is a very slight lag in acceleration compared to when I first got it off the showroom floor, but I would attribute that to 100k+ miles of engine wear. Last year I had a friend stop-watch my acceleration and in two trials I achieved 6.6 and 6.8 in 0-60.