what car fluid smells like hair being permed at a beauty salon

I have a 97 camry LE 4cyl which gives off a burnt smell that reminds me of the chemicals used to perm hair in a beauty salon. I took it in to the dealer, who said they found the cause to be transmission fluid leakage from a gasket falling onto exhaust pipe. Well supposedly they fixed the leakage, but I still smell it when I am inside my car. I want to ask if anyone else had a similar problem with their car and what other causes it might me, in case the dealer misdiagnosed it. Thanks.

Reply to
john
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Sounds like good assessment to me. It will take awhile to burn off. Have the engine steam cleaned if it really bothers you. If it is a sulfur smell its from the catalytic converter -- change your brand of gas.

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Reply to
Wolfgang

I was wondering when you said it could "take awhile" for the smell to burnoff, how long were you thinking of? The reason I ask is because it still gives off the smell every once in a while after having it fixed 5 days ago.

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Reply to
john

Depends if it got in the flexible coupling part -- how far you drive, how hot it gets. I'd give it a few weeks anyhow. Ya sure it isn't rotten egg smell from the catalytic converter? Common Toyota feature.

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Reply to
Wolfgang

You know, it sometimes does smell like a rotten egg. Maybe it is the catalytic converter. If that is the case, do you know how serious or how expensive of a problem this is? Thanks for all your help.

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Reply to
john

I got a very similar, if not the same, problem with my Camry LE (1997). The problem of smelling "rotten eggs" or the perm chemicals (that also include sulfur-containing compounds) becomes apparent when the window/sunroof is open, and I am going above 3000 RPM, usually during acceleration or uphill travel. I must admit that it is extremely annoying, and I am looking for a cure. If this is a catalytic converter, what should I do? Replacing one is very expensive!

Reply to
Radioduran

I got very similar, if not the same problem with my Camry LE (1997). The problem of smelling "rotten eggs" or the perm chemicals (that also include sulfur-containing compounds) becomes apparent when the window/sunroof is open, and I am going above 3000 RPM, usually during acceleration or uphill travel. I must admit that it is extremely annoying, and I am looking for a cure. If this is a catalytic converter, what should I do? Replacing one is very expensive!

Reply to
Radioduran

For me, I am willing to live with it, as long as it is not too toxic for me to breath in or lead to even greater damage and expenses down the road. I had this car for only a few weeks and all these annoying problem from engine lights going on, to strange smells and slow to retract seat belts is making me wonder if I got a lemon or if Toyota reliability is overrated. Besure to share with us how your situation is resolved, as I will with mine.

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Reply to
john

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