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WHY is my car running so rich?

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Old 07-27-2000, 06:34 PM
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WHY is my car running so rich?

Ok, I am getting bad mileage in the city, probably around 10. I also have tons of black stuff on the bumper; within one day of washing it off, the black soot returns.

Could this be caused by running the car at 160* with the stock prom?

What is going on here? The car is an 89 TPI 305. Thanks
Old 07-27-2000, 07:55 PM
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^^^
Old 07-27-2000, 07:56 PM
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check out the new sig

------------------
1989 IROC
305 TPI/A4

-just trying to keep it running
Old 07-27-2000, 08:28 PM
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I am getting bad mileage and stalling out occasionally from a dead stop. Have you changed your O2 sensor since you got the car?
Old 07-27-2000, 08:30 PM
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its never been changed to my knowledge; 88500 miles
Old 07-28-2000, 12:07 AM
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ttt
Old 07-28-2000, 01:09 AM
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Car: 89 IrocZ
Engine: L98-ish
Transmission: 700R4
Didn't you have a bad MAF awhile back? Did you replace it, or just unplug it?
Old 07-28-2000, 01:14 AM
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MAF is good to go.

Im glad everyone is helping out
Old 07-28-2000, 01:53 AM
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My car was running like $hit too, bad gas mileage clouds of smoke on the rev up. I had 2 bad injectors I replaced them, (with the ford 24 lb./hr.) put on an afpr, changed the o2 sensor and checked the tps (i've got a 91 so it's non adjustable but I did it anyways) and now the car runs smooth as hell just passed emissions and I get about 17mpg in the city (I've got a 350 w/3.23 rear).

[This message has been edited by evilho7810 (edited July 27, 2000).]
Old 07-28-2000, 10:10 AM
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Car: 89 IrocZ
Engine: L98-ish
Transmission: 700R4
Glad the MAF is good now....I'd replace the O2 sensor...blowing rich should set a code...verify through the ALDL, if no rich exhaust code is set, then the O2 sensor may be fouled.
Old 07-28-2000, 10:16 AM
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I will check the codes today
Old 07-28-2000, 10:55 AM
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Car: '87 IROCZ
Engine: 395 ZZ4
Transmission: ProBuilt 700R4
Axle/Gears: 9 bolt 3.70s
I recommend that you do a compression check on all 8 cylinders. Maybe, one or more cylinders have bad rings.



------------------
'87 L98 TPI IROCZ, TF heads, 3.70 gears, LT1 cam?, 2400 Art Carr TC, SLP 1 3/4" headers, SLP cat-back, no cat, no AC, no MAF screens, Accel manifold base & SuperRam, Edelbrock double roller timing chain, MSD ext coil & distributor, trans cooler, 52mm TB, TB airfoil, TB coolant bypass, AFPR(48psi), K&N filters, Hotchkis lowering springs, Car-Pro custom chip, Lay Ind. ram air kit, 265/45R16 Kumho V700 tires, and still as slow as hell 13.82sec ET @ 106.3 mph. To be installed soon: TPIS ZZ9 cam, 2400 stall converter.
'90 Eagle Talon AWD, no rust thru 9 winters
'99 Camaro SS, red, 6-spd, T-tops, Mcleod clutch, Pro 5.0 shifter, MAF processor, Direct Flow lid, K&N filter.
313.7Hp & 320.6ft-lbf
Old 07-28-2000, 11:07 AM
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Car: 92 RS - Fully Restored w/Custom Int
Engine: LO3 with some mods
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: 3.42 Richmond
A bad O2 sensor could also mean your catalytic converter is bad too (assuming you have one) Have that checked. Also check your smog pump & AIR components (again, assuming you have that too)
Old 07-28-2000, 01:27 PM
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Well that is nice; I guess all those 150hp nitrous shots are taking their toll now, right?

Ok, can I get one of the things you screw into the spark plug hole at autozone or something? What should the reading be, and will it come with instructions?

Forgive my stupidity; Im only 17

Thanks

------------------
1989 IROC
305 TPI/A4

-just trying to keep it running
Old 07-28-2000, 01:57 PM
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Yes, you can buy a compression tester from Autozone, around $25. DON'T buy the kind that just has a rubber boot on the end, their a real pain to use. Spend the extra time and effort and use the screw-in type. Also it will come with instructions, but the most important part is how compairable is each cylinder to the next. If all read say 110, but one reads 60, well, thats your problem child.

I had a problem running real rich too, turned out my timing chain is getting old and streching, it through my timing way off. Should read 8 degrees, it was at 4.

------------------
Rob
'86 TA 305 TPI
Old 07-28-2000, 03:06 PM
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No trouble codes; Im going to Autozone in a few
Old 07-28-2000, 04:33 PM
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Car: 89 IrocZ
Engine: L98-ish
Transmission: 700R4
Disconnect the battery while changing the O2 sensor, this will give time for the ECM to reset and learn new driving values.
Old 07-28-2000, 04:51 PM
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Got the compression tester, will post some numbers later tonight.

The engine is way too damn hot to work with

------------------
1989 IROC
305 TPI/A4

-just trying to keep it running
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