I've been to both the dealer and an independent mechanic to find the source(s) of my problems with my 04 Rodeo but neither has been able to find anything (or wanted to take the time to dig into it). Here are the symptoms:

- Bad gas mileage (I get 13 city and about 17 hwy and I am not heavy on the skinny peddle)

- Strong sulfer smell sometimes but not all of the time

- Rough idle and sometimes it idles pretty low but I haven't found a pattern

- Very high RPM at start up which goes away after a few minutes but I mean really high (5-6k rpm)

- Shudder going up steep hills (took a trip on the interstate through WV recently and noticed...it didn't feel like it was struggling but there was a definitely a shudder.

Any ideas of where to look are much appreciated. The only thing I've done so far are to replace the air filter and check that the PCV valve is functioning.

Thanks!

- Jim

Sulfur smell, I thinks means the cats' workin fine.

Shudder going up hill, sounds like a u-joint in the driveshaft might be going out(wouldn't hurt to grab the shaft and check for play) or maybe the driveshaft needs to be rebalanced.

The high idle and the low idle could be from a intake manifold gasket leaking and once the area around it gets warm it quits and the idle goes back down?


Something else with the idle,

Do you notice a change in it with the outside temp?

Gas mileage sound fine to me but it could be attributed to your other problems. Sulfur smell seams fine too.

5-6k rpm idle is insane, that's close to redline. I think its physically impossible to actually idle that high, the IAC can't open that much to let that much air in so I would say something is up with your throttle, maybe sticking. Think you have drive by wire throttle so maybe the throttle electronics are messed up.

mileage is ok,any check engine lights?Will it stall at a redlight/or want to?It almost sounds like intake manifold gasket.....how many miles?
They supposedly changed the IMG to new design for newer rodeo's.
Mine has gone out every 25,000 miles or so.Lisa once at 60-70K and has been fine since ~110K

Also since it's "fly by wire" your TPS good be giving you fits.
Really hard to diagnos without CEL's(check engine lite)

Thanks for the replies.

There have been no CELs.

I've got 30K miles on it so far.

Sometimes when shifting into park or drive it will almost stall out.