what causes a vehicle to emit a black gun powder smell when idleing or driving?

Question

I have 95 grand am and yesterday it started idleing rough like it was missing but thats not the problem. The problem is it also emits a black gun powder smell when idleing or driving and once you reach 50 to 55mph it starting stalling and looses all power. If anyone knows of anything that would cause this i would appreceate it.

Answer 1

More then likly it is the fuel pressure regular. It is supplying to much fuel to the fuel injuctors. Check the pressure.
If the regular goes nuts, it will supply to much fuel and thus it runs to rich. As you go faster it supplys more and more fuel untill it puts so much fuel on the plugs it shorts them out.

Do this, remove one plug and look at it. If it is black ans shooty then there is to much fuel and the plugs are fouling out.
Check that pressure and if it is to much, replace the fuel pressure regulator

Answer 2

You are running to rich; meaning too much gas, or not enough air. Try changing you air filter as first step, then test drive. It may be something else, but then again, you may have fixed the problem for just a few dollars. I always take test drives after each change I make to the car, so I can pinpoint what the probably is, or hopefully, WAS. Good luck. If that don't work, get a read of your car computer. It could be many things, but most likely your tps. (throttle position sensor). Get the READ first, it will probably tell you the problem exactly. Aloways go from simple (cheap) to hard (bucks). Catalytic converter (cc) is not the problem. It is causing the smell, but it is not the problem. Solve the rich fuel mixture, smell will go away gradually, but permanently, after you drive for awhile. Do not buy cc unless absolutely required. Very expensive part (like $400 apiece, just for part alone).

Answer 3

As a professional mechanic, I'd recommend a tuneup. The soot means you probably have a rich mixture or fowled spark plug. The smell is sulfur-dioxide, a byproduct of too much gas going to the converter. Your converter is probably OK.

Answer 4

the CC smells like rotten eggs to me ,but it will cause problems. It could be in the fuel,maybe water or bad fuel filter. these newer cars have so many electronic gadgets it could be one of them. The best solution would be to have it checked by a reliable shop.

Answer 5

Sounds like the carburetor is broken, and the mixture of gas is way too rich. Either that or you have a cracked head and oil is gushing into the pistons.

Answer 6

clean out your fuel filter and/or fuel injectors. stalling at 50-55 is very weird and dangerous.

Answer 7

Try a new CC. its cheaper but most likely your getting to much gas.

Answer 8

catalytic converter