odor

Hi I just purchased a 2nd hand 1999 Camery LE , and when i drive it uphill there is almost like an odor such like rotten eggs or fumes, happens mainly when going up hill
sometimes when im going over 60mph also it comes and goes...well i took it too a garage and they told me was a sensor then fixed it wasnt bad for like two weeks now seems to be doing it again but not as often only once in while any idea what it is? exhaust looks ok too btw.

Welcome to the AF!

It is the catalyst in your cat converter giving off hydrogen sulfide from the sulfur stored on the catalyst while you were running at lower throttle settings. The sulfur originally came from your gas. Some brands are better than others to get rid of this smell. Some people never figure out a way to get rid of it.

Here's a couple of related links:
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=223186

http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/WebX?14@@.ef172af/0

You will notice in the first TSB below that toyota recognizes the problem and blames the gas and says it is not covered under warranty. However, the new updated TSB for 4Runners states that it is in fact a problem and is covered under warranty based upon a customer's specific complaint. What they will do is reprogram the EMC and replace the catalytic converter.

http://www.autosafety.org/Toyota%20Sulfur%20Odor%20All%20Models.pdf

http://www.autosafety.org/Toyota%2003-04%204Runner%20Catalyst.pdf

Good luck