I've got a new 2003 Accord V6 with about 1000 miles on it. Love the car and my wife's 2002 Ody. We're both converts from VW and haven't looked back.

The Accord is about a month old. About a week ago I started smelling sulphur (rotton eggs) once a day or so both during the drive and after stepping out of the car, but today was awful! I stepped out of the car and couldn't believe the stench.

Typically, this is a catalytic converter or O2 sensor issue, but I've searched usenet and the web and don't see anything really related to late model Hondas, other than one thread on an Odyssey.

I haven't got it nailed but it seems worse after punching it a bit. Since it's new I've only done this once today and once a few days ago, so I'm not absolutely sure that it worse after a quick run.

Anybody else noticed similar problems? I'm guessing a trip to Honda will yield a "that's normal" response but ....

John

 

Do these "hard runs" involve heavy braking?

I find that fairly new cars seem to have a horrible stench as the factory brake pads are bedded in, could this be plausible on your car?

 

No, not really. I've been noticing the rotten egg smell during all sorts of driving. It's just seemed the absolute worst during the two times I put the pedal to the floor (which surprised the heck out of me--240 horses in a stock Accord--go figure). And the smell is definately coming out of the exhaust.

 

Do your hear an exhaust leak?

 

No, but I'll roll under the car today. Didn't think of that one. Either way I'm going to run it back to the dealer Monday and let them give it the once over.

 

Unless your cat is bad, which isn't too likely considering how new the car is, I would think it's a leak somewhere before the cat. I get the funky exhaust smell whenever my wastegate stays open for a long duration

 

check the battery, sometimes when its bad it smells like rotten eggs after the car is used.

 

Honda does know about this problem and is not offering any help with the 2003 that we own.

This is a serious emissions problem because it is a sure sign that it is not running properly plus is putting high amounts of hydrogen sulfide (which is very poisonous) into the air that will become acid rain (sulfuric acid).

Were told that it would go away after a few thousand mile but have since learn that Honda has sent out a memo to the dealers stating that this is normal (that means they are not going to fix it).

Before noticing this problem we were recommending Hondas and the dealership to people we met and knew plus I was planning on purchasing a 2004 Acura TL to replace my 1999 Mercury Sable. That isn't going to happen now and neither will the nice words about Honda.

This is the first Honda we have ever purchased after buy Ford products since 1987 and never having this kind of problem. We are very disappointed with Hondas lack of response.