Exhaust fumes excessive on LC200?

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MrEPoo

MrEPoo

Joined
May 9, 2019
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Location
SoCal
I thought the exhaust fumes from my 18 4Runner Pro were bad but my LC is on a whole different level (for me). Is this common on our cars?

I have a 2018 with 10k miles and it’s been like this since day one. It’s not like I’m used to driving a Prius either... my race cars don’t smell nearly this bad, not even my non-cat classics.

I have to turn the car off in order to hook up my trailer otherwise I feel like I’m smoking a pack of camel unfiltered...
 
I wouldn't say it's common at all. I believe all 200-series are Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle (ULEV) rated.

I'm very familiar with cat-less and race cat cars of my other vehicles. My LX is nothing remotely close to that.

That said, the 5.7L is a big displacement motor. There's a good amount of exhaust airflow coming out the rear. Even ULEV, it's still a combustion byproduct. Sometimes I'm lazy and don't turn her off when I hitch/unhitch which I can do quickly. On a hot day especially, as there's heat and humidity from the exhaust. Nothing strong smelling but there's surely carbon monoxide. My preference is to turn her off to minimize exhaust pointed right where I'm working.
 
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Is there a particular smell? Sulfur rotten egg? Other? Are you talking about cold start before the CAT has lit off?

Perhaps a certain formulation of fuel from a certain brand?
 
Maybe toyota accidentally shipped him an emissions-exempt 1VD Diesel?

I've never noticed anything other than hot air coming from the tailpipe on mine.

That said.. a few people with cracked exhaust manifolds or fresh air injection pipes have reported exhaust smells in the cabin.. highly doubt that is what's going on here.
 
I've noticed similar to OP. I wouldn't go as far as to say its worse than a cat-less race car. But definitely smell exhaust fumes if the car is running and I'm hooking a trailer or loading the back.
I didn't think too much of it until recently how I can always see smoke from the exhaust similar to what you'd see when the weather is cold, but regardless of it being cold or not.
 
afgman786 said:
I've noticed similar to OP. I wouldn't go as far as to say its worse than a cat-less race car. But definitely smell exhaust fumes if the car is running and I'm hooking a trailer or loading the back.
I didn't think too much of it until recently how I can always see smoke from the exhaust similar to what you'd see when the weather is cold, but regardless of it being cold or not.
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Is it smoke, partially burned exhaust fumes or steam/condensation?
 
RET2 said:
Is it smoke, partially burned exhaust fumes or steam/condensation?
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That's what I haven't looked deep into. I always just assumed it was steam/condensation because of it being cold out. With having a few warm days and noticing the "smoke" I didn't notice that when I turned on the daily driver same day. Smelling gas, I'm not sure exactly what the cause would be. It's not the color of smoke from a car burning oil though.

Edit: Agree with @MrEPoo statement below about color and not changing between cold start or warmed up. At least not when I have paid attention to it.
 
It's light grey exhaust smoke if it has any color at all and it's FAR worse than my catless race and street cars. Also, it does not seem to change between cold cold start or when it's warmed up.

I'm feel more optimistic now, knowing that this is not a common thing!
 
afgman786 said:
That's what I haven't looked deep into. I always just assumed it was steam/condensation because of it being cold out. With having a few warm days and noticing the "smoke" I didn't notice that when I turned on the daily driver same day. Smelling gas, I'm not sure exactly what the cause would be. It's not the color of smoke from a car burning oil though.

Edit: Agree with @MrEPoo statement below about color and not changing between cold start or warmed up. At least not when I have paid attention to it.
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Could be running a little rich if cold, it could be water vapor from any ethanol in your fuel also
 
I turn off the engine when hitching up, not because of the smell, but because of the heat and the mosquitoes attracted to the CO2, heat, and movement . When mosquitoes die and go to heaven or h*ll they end up in my backyard. The cloud around the exhaust is dense indeed.

Very little exhaust smell or smoke on my '17. Would not even notice if it were not for the heat. 5.7 liters is a lot of hot air to push out the poop pipe every few turns of the crank, so to speak.
 
I just went out and did a sniff test with an employee. lol. His 6cyl Tacoma had zero smell after it warmed up. Mine had no smoke but you could smell it from 3 feet away though it wasn't as bad while cold. I'm going to try again after warming it up from a drive and see how that compares.

Sandroad said:
I turn off the engine when hitching up, not because of the smell, but because of the heat and the mosquitoes attracted to the CO2, heat, and movement . When mosquitoes die and go to heaven or h*ll they end up in my backyard. The cloud around the exhaust is dense indeed.

Very little exhaust smell or smoke on my '17. Would not even notice if it were not for the heat. 5.7 liters is a lot of hot air to push out the poop pipe every few turns of the crank, so to speak.
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Oh man, do I remember that from living in Houston! I don't miss that at one bit though the wife and I have been considering buying there again. :hmm:
 
MrEPoo said:
I just went out and did a sniff test with an employee. lol. His 6cyl Tacoma had zero smell after it warmed up. Mine had no smoke but you could smell it from 3 feet away though it wasn't as bad while cold. I'm going to try again after warming it up from a drive and see how that compares.


Oh man, do I remember that from living in Houston! I don't miss that at one bit though the wife and I have been considering buying there again. :hmm:
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Have you checked your plugs and air cleaner? Two reasons that could add to your issue?
 
Mine stinks when first starting up cold. After that, not bad.
 
Anyone come to a conclusion on this? Cart runs great but letting it idle it’s hard to be around, very strong smell out of the exhaust, no smoke though
 
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