Exhaust - Sulfur Odors After Hard Driving

Article No.
00-25-2

12/11/2000

EXHAUST - SULFUR ODOR FOLLOWING
AGGRESSIVE DRIVING - 2.5L VEHICLES -
CONTOUR/MYSTIQUE AND COUGAR WITH
AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE BUILT FROM 5/7/99 -
COUGAR WITH MANUAL TRANSAXLE BUILT FROM
5/24/99 ONLY

FORD:
1998-2000 CONTOUR

MERCURY:
1998-2000 MYSTIQUE
1999-2000 COUGAR

This TSB is being republished in its entirely to update the vehicle models covered.

ISSUE
An objectionable exhaust, sulfur, or rotten egg odor following aggressive driving, such as full-throttle acceleration, may occur on some vehicles. This may be caused by excessive sulfur in the fuel reacting with the normal chemical reactions which take place in the catalytic converter.

ACTION
Replace the catalytic converter with a revised catalytic converter. Refer to the following Service Procedure for details.

SERVICE PROCEDURE

NOTE
THIS PROCEDURE APPLIES ONLY TO 2.5L CONTOUR/MYSTIQUE AND COUGAR VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLES, 2.5L CONTOUR/MYSTIQUE VEHICLES WITH MANUAL TRANSAXLES (MTX) BUILT FROM 5/7/1999 AND 2.5L COUGAR VEHICLES WITH MANUAL TRANSAXLES (MTX) BUILT FROM 5/24/1999.

1. Follow normal diagnostic routines. If the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) is illuminated, or if there are any other driveablity symptoms present, they must be resolved prior to addressing the exhaust odor concern.

2. Replace the existing catalytic converter with the revised service part. Refer to the 1999 Contour/Mystique or Cougar Workshop Manual, Section 309-00, for the removal and installation procedures. It will also be necessary to replace the five (5) mounting nuts along with the inlet and outlet gaskets as listed in the Parts Block shown.

NOTE
SINCE EXHAUST ODOR VARIES WITH THE LEVEL OF SULFUR CONTENT IN THE FUEL, IT MAY ALSO BE APPROPRIATE TO ADVISE THE CUSTOMER TO CHANGE FUEL BRAND (NOT THE OCTANE RATING) TO ACHIEVE MAXIMUM SATISFACTION.





PART INFORMATION

OTHER APPLICABLE ARTICLES: NONE
SUPERSEDES: 00-10-7
WARRANTY STATUS: INFORMATION ONLY
OASIS CODES: 403000, 623000