Rotten Egg Smell ?

Scooby-DoobyDoo · 20 Feb 2007 at 20:42

Need some advice please. Out today in the wife focus and there was a loss of power and a rotten egg smell. Car doesnt do many miles each day. Any idea where to start looking ?

I know the smell is the cat, but not neccessary need to replace that as may be coild / lead etc.

Any help appreciated.

Its a 1999 1.8 zetec.

Rich1988 · 20 Feb 2007 at 20:52

if it helps my clutch smelt like rotten eggs/cabbage when we were slipping it to wear it in could be something to do with that

Scooby-DoobyDoo · 20 Feb 2007 at 20:54

OK thanks.

Feels like loss of power though as well.

Been reading some people say might be:

HT Leads
Coil
Fuel Filter

PardonTheWait · 20 Feb 2007 at 21:06

Edit: I'll read the whole OP next time.

D'oh

The_Dark_Side · 20 Feb 2007 at 21:27

isn't rotten-egg smell usually a cat convertor related problem?
perhaps it's partially collapsed internally causing a minor blockage.

The_Dark_Side · 20 Feb 2007 at 21:29

Rich1988 said:
if it helps my clutch smelt like rotten eggs/cabbage when we were slipping it to wear it in could be something to do with that

wearing a clutch in.
never heard that before, and i like it

Rich1988 · 20 Feb 2007 at 21:33

The_Dark_Side said:
wearing a clutch in.
never heard that before, and i like it

Well your meant to line the two plates up then put them seperatley and keep them lined up, this was far to much like hard work so my bro just glued them together with super glue

then put it in, had to slip it for a while to get the glue of and get to the surface of the clutch

Scooby-DoobyDoo · 20 Feb 2007 at 21:35

The_Dark_Side said:
isn't rotten-egg smell usually a cat convertor related problem?
perhaps it's partially collapsed internally causing a minor blockage.

Yep its the smell of sulphur. Sometimes due to fuel on the cat if its not burning properly hence the iginition. I think the plugs and leads are OK. Have read the coil pack cracks on the zetecs so might look at that tomorrow. Also as the wife does short journeys it might be the back box internals collapsed as that happened on my escort once and is running just as bad although escort never smelt eggy.

The_Dark_Side · 20 Feb 2007 at 21:37

Rich1988 said:
Well your meant to line the two plates up then put them seperatley and keep them lined up, this was far to much like hard work so my bro just glued them together with super glue then put it in, had to slip it for a while to get the glue of and get to the surface of the clutch

just use the proper tool (or any old piece of dowelling) to keep the plate in place while you tighen up the bolts on the cover.
job done.
i'm not sure i understand how you had trouble to be honest :confused:

The_Dark_Side · 20 Feb 2007 at 21:38

Scooby-DoobyDoo said:
Yep its the smell of sulphur. Sometimes due to fuel on the cat if its not burning properly hence the iginition. I think the plugs and leads are OK. Have read the coil pack cracks on the zetecs so might look at that tomorrow. Also as the wife does short journeys it might be the back box internals collapsed as that happened on my escort once and is running just as bad although escort never smelt eggy.

or it could be more than one problem

fingers crossed it isn't though.

Rich1988 · 20 Feb 2007 at 21:38

The_Dark_Side said:
just use the proper tool (or any old piece of dowelling) to keep the plate in place while you tighen up the bolts on the cover.
job done.
i'm not sure i understand how you had trouble to be honest

No trouble, just awkward postioning it in the 214 so it was just far easier to glue it on

The_Dark_Side · 20 Feb 2007 at 21:42

Rich1988 said:
No trouble, just awkward postioning it in the 214 so it was just far easier to glue it on

never done one.
i'm assuming you mean there isn't much room to work after moving the box as far out of the way as possible.
another reason i won't do my own clutch lol.

Rich1988 · 20 Feb 2007 at 21:44

The_Dark_Side said:
never done one.
i'm assuming you mean there isn't much room to work after moving the box as far out of the way as possible.
another reason i won't do my own clutch lol.

Yea pretty much, moving the box was an absolute bitch (thats not a sweary is it

) weighed so much and we had no proper lifting equipment so it was hernias all round Although only cost my bro £40 all in so much much cheaper than going to get it down my a mechanic

Defiled · 20 Feb 2007 at 23:24

I had this problem with a previous car of mine. Turned out that the battery was being overcharged due to a faulty alternator.

Lead acid batteries produce loads of sulphur when charged with too many volts

Dup · 21 Feb 2007 at 09:36

Not too many miles a day + rotten egg smell + loss of power = head gasket I would have thought?

Check oil and coolant for any white sludge or gunk.

Scooby-DoobyDoo · 21 Feb 2007 at 16:59

Think I have found it.

Found this thread:

http://www.visordown.com/forums/showthread.php?t=213512

Bought new leads and plugs. (the tips were worn on plugs too) and tested the spark and number 4 cylinder gave a very weak spark so have ordered a New Genuine Coil Pack from auction site for £26.95 + £6 delivery !

Just out of interest I rang around.

Breaker 1 £25+vat
Breaker 2 £30 - £40
Dealer £65

Fingers crossed should be fixed by weekend.