Problem With Dealership

[peppurr]

I have 2010 IS 250. From the first month I purchased this car, I have had an excessive odor of sulfur coming from the exhaust.

I mentioned this to the Service Dept when I took my car in for it's first service. I was told that they had to smell the odor in order to investigate the service. Yes, folks, I am a woman, however, I wasn't born

yesterday. I have enough knowledge to know that this involves the catalytic converter.

The odor is not consistent. A few months ago when I took my car in for another service, I got another guy and told him about the problem. He said it was quite common because I'm travelling up and down hills. Yes, I do, however, the odor is so bad now, it's coming into the cab. It actually stinks out my garage when I park and to say the very least, it's embarrassing.

How do I get this Service department to look at this problem? I have the Extra Care Protection and I am still covered for this problem.

I would appreciate any advice you can give me!

[13IS250C]

Go park it in their service area and smell it up!

Sorry girl. I know how hard it is to be taken seriously. I had a G37 that was only a year old and the brakes squealed so bad that I was embarrased to take it to a Sonic! It only happened in reverse. They wouldn't do anything because they couldn't "duplicate" the problem. I took a video and threatened to put it on You Tube. You are just going to have to think of a way to make them listen.

[LEX-SV]

Does this only happen with cold starts?

[peppurr]

Go park it in their service area and smell it up!

Sorry girl. I know how hard it is to be taken seriously. I had a G37 that was only a year old and the brakes squealed so bad that I was embarrased to take it to a Sonic! It only happened in reverse. They wouldn't do anything because they couldn't "duplicate" the problem. I took a video and threatened to put it on You Tube. You are just going to have to think of a way to make them listen.

It seems that this Dealer only wants to deal with a problem if there's a recall as in my floor mats and now the windshield wipers. They recalled the 2006 IS 250 and IS 350 for the excessive sulphur and provided a new catalytic converter assembly. The smell occurs after I've driven awhile and where I live it's up and down hills. It doesn't occur everytime either! Not once has it done it when I've arrived at the Dealers for a service.

Ironically, I had the same problem with the brakes squealing in reverse. Weird huh? Now that's embarrassing backing into your garage. The service clerk came out with me for a test drive and we backed up a number of times and do you think they would squeal??? Nope. I had a more obliging mechanic at the next service and he put some lubricant on them but this was a temporary fix. I've since had a complete brake job ELSEWHERE and haven't heard a squeak.

Thanks for your response. I'll figure out something.

[clubfoot]

If I'm not mistake there was a Lexus TSIB issued for the sulphur smell.

[peppurr]

Does this only happen with cold starts?

Never with a cold start. It doesn't happen every day. With that 2006 recall I mentioned above, they said this odor was caused by:

1. Stop and go driving

2. Heavy accelerating

Well, my stop and go driving would only be for traffic lights and periodic traffic backlog but I am on the freeway every day doing the speed limit. I shouldn't be having this problem.

Thank you for your response too!

[13IS250C]

Is it under warrantee? Have them do a sniffer test.

[clubfoot]

Also try changing brands of fuel.

[peppurr]

If I'm not mistake there was a Lexus TSIB issued for the sulphur smell.

Well I never got a letter and the Dealership is mute. The only TSIB I found was the one I mentioned above for 2006 IS250 and IS 350.

Regardless, I'm going to take it again with my Warrantys and ECP which I paid $2500. for and specifically covers the catalytic converter. They sure like you to get all these add ons but then turn a deaf ear when you have a problem.

Thank you for your response!

[peppurr]

Also try changing brands of fuel.

I did. For 3 yrs I bought the grade up from regular at of course a higher cost. That's what the Dealer told me to buy. I couldn't remember the name of the additive my husband used to put in when the car was running too rich or something, so I started using Regular gas. Didn't have the smell for a week and now it's back again. I don't know what you pay for gas but our gas here is the highest in the Continent.

[13IS250C]

I went to one station this a.m. and the mid-grade (what I'm using) was $3.89. I did a U-turn out of the station. At lunch I went to Kroger's and paid $3.29! Crazy. Depends on where you go. I belong to Costco and they are cheaper than anybody, but out of my way.

[peppurr]

Is it under warrantee? Have them do a sniffer test.

ok - Thank you!!

[peppurr]

Also try changing brands of fuel.

Yes!! I think I will do that too although I've been with Chevron for years. As a matter of fact, I just got an email from a friend who's husband was a mechanic. He said he had the same problem with his Mazda and switched from Chevron to someone else. Definitely worth a try!! Thank you!

I went to one station this a.m. and the mid-grade (what I'm using) was $3.89. I did a U-turn out of the station. At lunch I went to Kroger's and paid $3.29! Crazy. Depends on where you go. I belong to Costco and they are cheaper than anybody, but out of my way.

Costco's out of my too. All the gas stations are in sync around here.

[peppurr]

I just want to thank you all for your help and suggestions!

[LEX-SV]

Yep, I run nothing but Chevron in my cars. And my Mazda is a little stinky when cold sometimes.

[pj8708]

The two links below should offer you help with both your issues. The Lexus.com is the official Lexus website and provides you with online customer service, online chat, or 1-800 service. For your situation I would recomend using the 1-800 route. One of the choices on the descion tree when you call, is to talk about an issue with a dealer. Have your facts and dates organized and just explain how frustrated your experiance has been.

The second link is a site that explains what is causing the "rotten egg" smell and that the only fix is to replace the CAT. It should answer most if not all of your questions.

When we members have problems that are particuarly odd, remember we have a huge data base you can search and find many answers.

Please come back "peppurr" and let us know how things are going.

http://www.carsdirect.com/car-maintenance/car-exhaust-smell-understanding-where-the-problem-lies

http://www.lexus.com/contact/index.html

[peppurr]

I just want to thank you all for your help and suggestions!

Yep, I run nothing but Chevron in my cars. And my Mazda is a little stinky when cold sometimes.

Interesting. The friend that I was talking about with his mazda used to manage 2 chevron stations and of course used nothing but Chevron for many years. It was only when he got his mazda that he ran into a problem.

[LEX-SV]

I just want to thank you all for your help and suggestions!

>Yep, I run nothing but Chevron in my cars. And my Mazda is a little stinky when cold sometimes.

Interesting. The friend that I was talking about with his mazda used to manage 2 chevron stations and of course used nothing but Chevron for many years. It was only when he got his mazda that he ran into a problem.

I use nothing but Chevron in my Lexus, Mercedes and Mazda. Really have no complaints since using Chevron gas since 1996.

[peppurr]

The two links below should offer you help with both your issues. The Lexus.com is the official Lexus website and provides you with online customer service, online chat, or 1-800 service. For your situation I would recomend using the 1-800 route. One of the choices on the descion tree when you call, is to talk about an issue with a dealer. Have your facts and dates organized and just explain how frustrated your experiance has been.

The second link is a site that explains what is causing the "rotten egg" smell and that the only fix is to replace the CAT. It should answer most if not all of your questions.

When we members have problems that are particuarly odd, remember we have a huge data base you can search and find many answers.

Please come back "peppurr" and let us know how things are going.

http://www.carsdirect.com/car-maintenance/car-exhaust-smell-understanding-where-the-problem-lies

http://www.lexus.com/contact/index.html

Excellent! Thank you very much Paul! I will come back and let you know.

[peppurr]

The two links below should offer you help with both your issues. The Lexus.com is the official Lexus website and provides you with online customer service, online chat, or 1-800 service. For your situation I would recomend using the 1-800 route. One of the choices on the descion tree when you call, is to talk about an issue with a dealer. Have your facts and dates organized and just explain how frustrated your experiance has been.

The second link is a site that explains what is causing the "rotten egg" smell and that the only fix is to replace the CAT. It should answer most if not all of your questions.

When we members have problems that are particuarly odd, remember we have a huge data base you can search and find many answers.

Please come back "peppurr" and let us know how things are going.

http://www.carsdirect.com/car-maintenance/car-exhaust-smell-understanding-where-the-problem-lies

http://www.lexus.com/contact/index.html

Hi Paul. I finally was able to take my car into the Dealer this morning. I discussed the problem with the service clerk and he said it was not a common problem. I told him there was a recall in 2006 for my model and he said we should keep this to apples and apples. He said if there was a recall then any subsequent vehicles would be fitted with the proper components.

Anyways.......they took in the car and both the clerk and mechanic came back to me about 45 mins later. The mechanic said they ran up the temperature very high and there was no smell at all. He wanted to know the circumstances of this happening as in where I'd been driving. I told him it didn't happen regularly and it was about every few weeks and always when I get home for the day explaining sometimes it's just a whiff and other times it just stinks out my garage. I gave him my daily route - up a long steep hill, onto a level freeway, down the freeway hill and up a small hill to my home.

The clerk said they've made a note about it on my file and he would check with Lexus (head office?) and see if they had any related problems and if they can suggest how to deal with this.

I am satisfied with this right now because it's on the record. If it gets worse, hopefully it will be before my ECP Agreement expires.

[pj8708]

The two links below should offer you help with both your issues. The Lexus.com is the official Lexus website and provides you with online customer service, online chat, or 1-800 service. For your situation I would recomend using the 1-800 route. One of the choices on the descion tree when you call, is to talk about an issue with a dealer. Have your facts and dates organized and just explain how frustrated your experiance has been.

The second link is a site that explains what is causing the "rotten egg" smell and that the only fix is to replace the CAT. It should answer most if not all of your questions.

When we members have problems that are particuarly odd, remember we have a huge data base you can search and find many answers.

Please come back "peppurr" and let us know how things are going.

http://www.carsdirect.com/car-maintenance/car-exhaust-smell-understanding-where-the-problem-lies

http://www.lexus.com/contact/index.html

Hi Paul. I finally was able to take my car into the Dealer this morning. I discussed the problem with the service clerk and he said it was not a common problem. I told him there was a recall in 2006 for my model and he said we should keep this to apples and apples. He said if there was a recall then any subsequent vehicles would be fitted with the proper components.

Anyways.......they took in the car and both the clerk and mechanic came back to me about 45 mins later. The mechanic said they ran up the temperature very high and there was no smell at all. He wanted to know the circumstances of this happening as in where I'd been driving. I told him it didn't happen regularly and it was about every few weeks and always when I get home for the day explaining sometimes it's just a whiff and other times it just stinks out my garage. I gave him my daily route - up a long steep hill, onto a level freeway, down the freeway hill and up a small hill to my home.

The clerk said they've made a note about it on my file and he would check with Lexus (head office?) and see if they had any related problems and if they can suggest how to deal with this.

I am satisfied with this right now because it's on the record. If it gets worse, hopefully it will be before my ECP Agreement expires.

Sounds good. You have their attention. Now, the next time it stinks, if you can get to the dealer right away you should be on your way to a solution.

[peppurr]

The two links below should offer you help with both your issues. The Lexus.com is the official Lexus website and provides you with online customer service, online chat, or 1-800 service. For your situation I would recomend using the 1-800 route. One of the choices on the descion tree when you call, is to talk about an issue with a dealer. Have your facts and dates organized and just explain how frustrated your experiance has been.

The second link is a site that explains what is causing the "rotten egg" smell and that the only fix is to replace the CAT. It should answer most if not all of your questions.

When we members have problems that are particuarly odd, remember we have a huge data base you can search and find many answers.

Please come back "peppurr" and let us know how things are going.

http://www.carsdirect.com/car-maintenance/car-exhaust-smell-understanding-where-the-problem-lies

http://www.lexus.com/contact/index.html

Hi Paul. I finally was able to take my car into the Dealer this morning. I discussed the problem with the service clerk and he said it was not a common problem. I told him there was a recall in 2006 for my model and he said we should keep this to apples and apples. He said if there was a recall then any subsequent vehicles would be fitted with the proper components.

Anyways.......they took in the car and both the clerk and mechanic came back to me about 45 mins later. The mechanic said they ran up the temperature very high and there was no smell at all. He wanted to know the circumstances of this happening as in where I'd been driving. I told him it didn't happen regularly and it was about every few weeks and always when I get home for the day explaining sometimes it's just a whiff and other times it just stinks out my garage. I gave him my daily route - up a long steep hill, onto a level freeway, down the freeway hill and up a small hill to my home.

The clerk said they've made a note about it on my file and he would check with Lexus (head office?) and see if they had any related problems and if they can suggest how to deal with this.

I am satisfied with this right now because it's on the record. If it gets worse, hopefully it will be before my ECP Agreement expires.

Sounds good. You have their attention. Now, the next time it stinks, if you can get to the dealer right away you should be on your way to a solution.

The two links below should offer you help with both your issues. The Lexus.com is the official Lexus website and provides you with online customer service, online chat, or 1-800 service. For your situation I would recomend using the 1-800 route. One of the choices on the descion tree when you call, is to talk about an issue with a dealer. Have your facts and dates organized and just explain how frustrated your experiance has been.

The second link is a site that explains what is causing the "rotten egg" smell and that the only fix is to replace the CAT. It should answer most if not all of your questions.

When we members have problems that are particuarly odd, remember we have a huge data base you can search and find many answers.

Please come back "peppurr" and let us know how things are going.

http://www.carsdirect.com/car-maintenance/car-exhaust-smell-understanding-where-the-problem-lies

http://www.lexus.com/contact/index.html

Hi Paul. I finally was able to take my car into the Dealer this morning. I discussed the problem with the service clerk and he said it was not a common problem. I told him there was a recall in 2006 for my model and he said we should keep this to apples and apples. He said if there was a recall then any subsequent vehicles would be fitted with the proper components.

Anyways.......they took in the car and both the clerk and mechanic came back to me about 45 mins later. The mechanic said they ran up the temperature very high and there was no smell at all. He wanted to know the circumstances of this happening as in where I'd been driving. I told him it didn't happen regularly and it was about every few weeks and always when I get home for the day explaining sometimes it's just a whiff and other times it just stinks out my garage. I gave him my daily route - up a long steep hill, onto a level freeway, down the freeway hill and up a small hill to my home.

The clerk said they've made a note about it on my file and he would check with Lexus (head office?) and see if they had any related problems and if they can suggest how to deal with this.

I am satisfied with this right now because it's on the record. If it gets worse, hopefully it will be before my ECP Agreement expires.

Sounds good. You have their attention. Now, the next time it stinks, if you can get to the dealer right away you should be on your way to a solution.

Thanks Paul!! I will do that. Hopefully it's during their operational hours! :-) The mechanic said that he checked "everything". I should have asked him to elaborate a bit more. That info you gave me said that it could be something as simple as the fuel filter. I forgot to ask them if they'd ever changed that. I can't see it on any of my service records. I do see that on my last service in April they replaced an element, filter. Would this be it? They also replaced a gasket and did a fuel system clean. I wonder if this is why I'm smelling the sulphur less?

I dunno. I will document this more closely from now on.

[pj8708]

The filter element you see on your job ticket is probably the engine oil filter. It is changed on a regular basis when you have your regular oil and oil filter changed .Also, their is an engine air filter that is changed at a interval based on either mileage or eye inspection for how much dirt and dust it has traped.

The fuel filter is located in the gas tank with the fuel pump. I don't know what the dealer means by "Fuel system clean". It could mean they poured an additive in the gas tank that is supposed to dissolve plaque and other items that can block the free flow of gas to the fuel injectors. I really don't know. I think it would be worth a phone call just to ask "Hey, I saw this on my bill, can you tell me what that was and what is it supposed to do?"

This thing just get wierder.....(I don't think "wierder" is a word. LOL

[Kazagawa]

Seriously hate dealerships man!

[13IS250C]

I call them stealerships.