startup stink

[mozarwasagenius]

Anyone notice their Fit exhaust is particularly smelly at first startup for about the first few seconds?

I'm wondering if something might be amiss in my car (ie. oil burning)


Perhaps all cars do this and I never paid attention, but it seems more prominent in the Fit.

Thanks

[kenchan]

that is normal. the ECU goes through a quick cold start phase when
you crank it up in the morning...which usually means it runs pretty
rich and smelly.

at least our cars dont smell like rotten eggs (toyota).

[kelsodeez]

Originally Posted by kenchan

that is normal. the ECU goes through a quick cold start phase when
you crank it up in the morning...which usually means it runs pretty
rich and smelly.

at least our cars dont smell like rotten eggs (toyota).

it would if one of your cylinders were misfiring and raw gas was going into your catalytic converter.

[kenchan]

toyota's seem to have weak cats that allow the smell the pass through... is wat i meant.

[Scratch&Dent]

Most cars do this on startup. Two reasons:

1) It takes seconds or a few minutes for the converter to "light off" and start converting hydrocarbons in the exhaust to less stinky stuff;

2) Because it takes a while for the O2 sensors to warm up, and because of (1), the ECU runs the engine rich in order to warm the engine, O2 sensors, and converter and start reducing emissions as soon as possible.