Is the CV boot related to the catalytic converter?

Question

I took off from a stop light 2 days ago and something popped, very loudly, under the car. I actually felt it and thought a tire blew out. Pulled over, checked it, nothing wrong. Drove home. Next day drove the car as usual, no problem. However, the next day I noticed that every time I turned off the car it had a sickening smell, similar to rotten eggs and burning rubber. Subara replaced the CV boot for $135 and said no trouble w/ converter, which we expected it to be. Brought it home and the God awful smell is still there. Could this be like when you have your fluids topped off and the next day you can smell some of the spilled stuff burning off? Or did Subaru screw us and we still need a catalytic converter?

Two things I forgot to mention...1) It is a 2000 Subaru Forester and a week ago we had both head gaskets replaced (don't know if that matters to this question or not) and 2) I only notice the smell when I've turned off the car. Weird, huh?

More forgotten info...The vehicle has almost 100,000 miles and there doesn't really appear to be any power loss. While I'm at it, I guess I should ask about what cost are we looking at here if it is the converter?

Answer 1

The pop you heard could have been the engine backfiring. The rotten egg smell is not necessarily a failed catalytic converter, but is a sign that your emission system is not working properly for some reason. That doesn't automattically mean that there is a problem with the emissions sytem but it does mean that your engine is not running properly (obviosly if it backfired!)If it was a backfire?

I don't think you were taken for the cv boot. I'm sure it had a broken boot leaking grease, be thankful that you didn't have to pay for a whole new cv joint. Incidently, if it was the boot that made the popping sound, depending on where that boot was located, it could have leaked grease onto hot exhaust component as you drove for a few days. That would be a burning oily smell that would take quite a while to burn off. You'd smell it every time the exhaust got hot and wouldn't go away until it was all burnt away.

So which is it a sulfery smell like a catalytic converter not working properly, or burning grease on exhaust components? If there were no emissions events stored in the on board diagnostic, then maybe it was the cv boot causing the smell.

Answer 2

Kelly, If you have a set of Rhino Ramps available @ Wally World slide under your car while it's running. If you see any smoke coming off the exhaust system, someone has spilled oil either changing the oil or topping off the automatic transmission an or brake fluid.

Have someone follow you close behind while you navigate a hill. If the people in the car behind you smell a rotten egg or sulfur stink you have a converter problem. If you have under 85,000 miles on your car It's covered under your Toyota emissions warranty.

Between you and I over the past ten yrs. Toyota has had more than their share of converter problems. My daughter had a 2000 Camry and We have a 2004. They both are Stinky's! Good luck Kel, We have a Kelly also.

Answer 3

A CV boot is the rubber protective cover over the joint in a drive shaft and is in no way related to a cat. converter which is part of the exhaust system.
Converters usually don't go bad. Sometimes the insides collapse but you would feel a definite loss of power.

You may want to have your car's computer checked. It will keep record of any faut codes relating to emissions sensors. If you have a failed oxygen sensor for example, your car will still probably run, but fuel won't burn properly as the computer uses the information from the various sensors to regulate air/fuel mixture, timing, etc and could cause odd smelling exhast.

Answer 4

no, the cv boot is not related to your exhaust system at all, it is a drive line part, so Id say, yea, you got screwed. as for the smell, not knowing how many miles or the year of your vehicle, Id say that yes, your cat converter is going bad and should be replaced. that smell is caused by NOx or Oxides of Nitrogen, which should be "converted" in the cat converter. the popping you heard could have very well been the core in the cat converter being blown out in a carbon plugged area inside.

Answer 5

Give it a couple of more runs but it seems like the converter is not ok.Is there a sign of left over boot rubber around the constant velocity joint that you had the boot replaced on or rubber left somewhere near the exhaust system.

Answer 6

Um.....NO! your axel not catalytic converter. And "Cats" can make odor anytime. If you want to replace it, just get on EBAY there is a company that will sell you a replacement cheap, Then just get someone to put it on for you. DONOT get one through the dealer, The screw you like you've never been screwed.

Answer 7

The rotten egg smell in what a failed converter smells like.

Answer 8

they must not know what they are talking about.a rotton smell,like rotton eggs is sulfer,and its a indication that your cat is bad.

Answer 9

NOPE!