Cascade Crew

pathology knight · Posted: Sat May 17, 2014 6:49 pm Post subject: running rich

need a little bit of input...

My car for several years, but I'm finally getting to the point where i'm actually driving my car, (i try to get it out on the road a couple times a month) but it's running pretty rich.

I had it checked out, but the shop couldn't find nothing. (i don't know if i totally trust them though). It's not throwing any codes either.

It's runs fine, starts up fine, sounds fine...no noticeable issues, other than running rich.

any ideas on what could be the problem?

aaron_sK · Posted: Sat May 17, 2014 8:30 pm Post subject:

You need a better mechanic.

On that engine there are many things that can fail causing a rich condition but not throw a code or present a severe driveability issue. A failed CTS sensor, failed O2 sensor or failed injector(s) would all fit the bill.

Unfortunately it is impossible to say any more without anything else to go on.

chevymad · Posted: Sat May 17, 2014 8:58 pm Post subject:

Or bad fuel pressure regulator. Either stuck high or leaking. As was said, lots of things.

Xophertony · Posted: Sun May 18, 2014 6:54 am Post subject:

The recommended service life on injectors is 100,000 Miles. My car has 180,000 on it's original injectors and it too runs rich. I always assumed it was the injectors.

Is there a way to test your FPR? or your CTS sensor?

pathology knight · Posted: Sun May 18, 2014 7:39 am Post subject:

thanks for the input guys.
I'll relay those to the new mechanic (i won't be going back to the other guy). I also wanted to mention that it also blows a little white smoke when i gun it.

I'm unfamilar with those sensors, so i wouldn't know how to test them or to even find them or that matter! A buddy at work thought about the injectors too.

chevymad · Posted: Sun May 18, 2014 8:25 am Post subject:

Coolant temp you just look at the scanner. If its failed the temp will most likely read -45*

Fuel pressure regulator, pull the vacuum line off, is there fuel in the vacuum line or nipple? If so its bad. Then test fuel pressure if its high then it's bad.

Don't limit your mechanic by telling him what to check. If he doesn't find something ask what he checked. Love when people self diagnose and then want me to fix it. Like a rig that's obviously running poor coming in for "set the timing". I set it, they come back and "you no do right, it still runs bad" Gee that's not what you told me to do.

pathology knight · Posted: Sun May 18, 2014 8:58 am Post subject:

i wouldn't limit a mechanic. I'm not one, so i have no place in telling them what to do. I was just looking for some possible ideas on what could be the problem. I'm about the farthest thing from a mechanic there it!

Twilightoptics · Posted: Sun May 18, 2014 9:28 am Post subject:

How about starting at the beginning. What makes you think it's "running rich?"

pathology knight · Posted: Sun May 18, 2014 1:35 pm Post subject:

good point...

i think it's running rich because of the fuel smell coming out of the exhaust. it's really bad inside the car too (like when the windows are down and you come to a stop light).

aaron_sK · Posted: Sun May 18, 2014 1:38 pm Post subject:

Does it smell like raw fuel or partially burned fuel?

Does this car have a catalytic converter? If not, are you familiar with how uncatalyzed exhaust smells?

pathology knight · Posted: Tue Jun 03, 2014 10:28 pm Post subject:

apologies for the late replies....

i took the car into the shop today (a trusted shop) and they found a bad firing on #7. The plug had unburnt fuel on it. When the car is off, it seems to be sealing OK (passed pressure test), but they think the valve guides might be screwy.

Looks like we've got to pull the head and find out what's going on.

Twilightoptics · Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2014 6:24 am Post subject:

aaron_sK · Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2014 6:52 am Post subject:

Need to clarify with the service writer. If the plug is wet with oil then their diagnosis makes sense, but if it is wet with fuel as you say then it is not a valve problem. It is more likely an injector stuck open or an ignition failure.

Twilightoptics · Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2014 10:18 am Post subject:

But he said it ran fine.... a wet or fouled plug will cause a noticeable issue!

I bet they just pulled the plugs when it was cold after a short drive into the shop.

Twilightoptics · Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2014 10:19 am Post subject:

But he said it ran fine.... a wet or fouled plug will cause a noticeable issue!

I bet they just pulled the plugs when it was cold after a short drive into the shop.

pathology knight · Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2014 11:39 am Post subject:

yes twilight, you're right.
the car is running fine (just reaks of fuel).

i'm assuming they pulled the plugs after i drove it over to them, which was only a few blocks from my storage unit.

i will ask about possible injector issues, as that's what a guy at work said too.

aaron_sK · Posted: Wed Jun 04, 2014 2:01 pm Post subject:

pathology knight · Posted: Thu Jun 05, 2014 8:24 am Post subject:

the injector in #7 was bad too. They're not going to pull the head (that's the last resort, so they're doing everything they can to NOT do that).

a new injector is on order.

i'll keep things posted...

pathology knight · Posted: Wed Jun 11, 2014 10:12 am Post subject:

they got the new injector in and they say everything is running great. I'll go by there today and check it out, but it seems like the problem may be solved.