Your Cat is working, it's converting sulfur compounds into hydrogen sulfide
(rotten egg smell).  First cure is to change your brand of gas.  Some have
very little sulfur, others too much.

As far as smelling it in the van, it's probably coming from a leaky hatch
seal or improperly latched engine hatch.  Both easy to fix.

Good luck!

Stuart

-----Original Message-----
From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On Behalf Of
Sondergaard, Arlene
Sent: Monday, December 30, 2013 10:15 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Sulfur smell on acceleration

My 1987 Wolfsburg weekender has started to smell like sulfur  in the
passenger area when I accelerate.
I got a new battery yesterday because I thought It was causing the smell.
The battery tech says not.  He says its the emission control on the engine.
If this is true, is it bad for the van?
Shall I be saving up for another catalytic converter?

Thanks,

--
Arlene Sondergaard
CVO Sediment Lab
1300 SE Cardinal Court, Suite 100
Vancouver, WA  98683
360-993-8943
asonder@usgs.gov