Mountaineer AWD V6-4.0L VIN K Flex Fuel (2003)
NOTE
DO NOT REPLACE CONVERTER MORE THAN ONCE.
DRIVE SEQUENCE AFTER REPAIRS COMPLETED
Check engine oil and coolant levels. Verify both are at specified levels before driving vehicle. Perform highway driving at normal highway speeds for 30
miles. The optimum engine speed for this drive sequence is 3,000 to 4,500 rpm, and this can be accomplished by manually selecting the transmission
gear state. The goal of the drive procedure is to maintain a constant high temperature level in the exhaust system through the use of increased engine
speed. The combination of increased temperature and driving will provide a sulfur cleaning environment for the catalyst system.
CONTRIBUTING FACTORS TO SULFUR SMELL
Factors outside of engineering control may lead to a sulfur odor. A large contributing factor is the amount of sulfur in the fuel. Replacing a Catalytic
Converter multiple times will not alleviate the sulfur odor. Several catalyst replacements on the same vehicle may actually increase customer sensitivity
to an exhaust odor concern. Based on some driving habits the converter does not get hot enough to burn out stored sulfur residue and can produce a
sulfur odor.
For example:
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Extended Idle - Increase sulfur odor
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Stop and go driving - Increase sulfur odor
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Trailer Towing - Decrease sulfur odor
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Heavy Loads - Decrease sulfur odor Short trips - Increase sulfur odor
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Abrupt accel/decel - Decrease sulfur odor
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Hotter driving conditions - Decrease sulfur odor
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Hilly terrain - Decrease sulfur odor
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Canceling Overdrive - Decrease sulfur odor
Catalysts with 5,000-10,000 Miles (8,000-16,000 kilometers) are likely to have a sulfur smell due to the highly active state of the new catalyst. Refer to
symptom chart # 22 of PCED for appropriate year. Additives in fuels (Ethanol, Methanol, ETC.) can cause sulfur odor, suggest using a different fuel
source. Geographic variations on sulfur odor intensity are possible due to different refineries supplying fuel to different areas of the country. California
regulated fuel will exhibit less sulfur odor.
Experiment with different fuel brands. Some contain more sulfur than others, which can lead to an increase in sulfur odor from the converter. Sulfur
odors are an aromatic phenomenon and do not cause any durability or safety concerns with vehicle operation.
To summarize for the customer, explain that sulfur is in the fuel used and the catalyst system on their vehicle as a result of the fuel and driving
environment which creates a condition where sulfur has been stored in their exhaust system. The service action performed allows the sulfur to pass
through the exhaust system and to clean the existing sulfur deposits. During the initial cleansing of the catalyst it is expected that a sulfur odor may still
be present, and this odor may change from the "rotten egg smell" to that of a "burning match". The odor will cease with time.
