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Q: I drive a 2006 Chevy Silverado and just a few days ago I've started smelling a rotten egg smell while I am driving. What is it and is it unsafe? - Tracy
A: Hi Tracy,
The smell of rotten eggs is due to a compound called hydrogen sulfide. This comes from the small amount of sulfur that is present in the fuel. Normally the sulfur is converted to sulfur dioxide, which has no odor. When the converter breaks or the filtering layers have worn down inside the catalytic converter, the sulfur is not transformed into the odorless form. Therefore a strong rotten egg smell is produced. Another possible cause for this smell may be that the converter is plugged. Unfortunately you cannot repair a converter but need to have it completely replaced. This is important to have taken care of, as a failing catalytic converter will cause you to fail your Emissions Inspection.
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