Name that smell! Burning Matches...

aldend123 · Post by **aldend123** » 22 Aug 2006, 22:32

Well I had a Check Engine Light (CEL) go off a while back, which eventually went away before I got around to fixing it. Of course if I pretend the problem doesn't exist, then it won't... Besides I didn't have time to troubleshoot a hidden problem.

CEL is on now, and will flash several times whenever I get on the gas and into the turbo range (its a T5, so the upper RPM). It studders... kinda hiccups. But, it will hiccup at idle at stop lights also.

The nice guy at Autozone used his CEL-check tool for free (great service FYI)
Misfires on practically every cylinder on several occasions. Bought some new spark plug wires, distro cap/rotor from CarQuest (priced better) thinking this would solve the problem and while I'll admit I have not found the time to install them... I'm kind of worried about the latest issue. I floored it going down a strip of open road (it was tempting and wanted to see how the volvo was performing) and of course it studdered as expected, and flashed the CEL. But heres what got me worried enough to make the post

I had the window cracked and could smell what seemed like the smell from a blown out burnt match. When I got home (only a few miles later) I quickly popped the hood to see if I could sniff out the source, but found nothing.

Any ideas?

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 22 Aug 2006, 22:46

Wow...strange things are abound. I'd check the condition of your spark plugs when you change your plug wires. You might have some really fouled plugs...maybe the smell is related and maybe not.

turbotim2 · Post by **turbotim2** » 23 Aug 2006, 05:54

I think the smell is quite typical of any car when it is floored. Its sulfur from the fuel. Not a problem.

bobsnow100 · Post by **bobsnow100** » 23 Aug 2006, 10:03

When was the last tune up? check gap on spark plugs? dirty fuel injectors?
dirty air filter?

aldend123 · Post by **aldend123** » 23 Aug 2006, 17:33

New K&N filter put in at 85k (now at 87k)
new Bosch Coppers put in around the same time.

haven't checked the fuel injectors yet though
hopefully I'll be putting the new spark wires and cap/rotor in within the next few days to narrow down the source.

eb2143 · Post by **eb2143** » 25 Aug 2006, 19:05

My first guess:
Catalytic Converter