my camaro (1987 carburated 305) is running extremely rich (smoking black), has soggy throtle response, and gets like 10mpg. from some of my research this may have been as a result of the previous owner messing up the emissions system. i have no cat and i may be missing an o2 sensor or sometihng. could the messed up emissions system be causing my all of my problems?? and if so, how do i fix it?? thanks for your help.

i am not sure if this is the right area to post this in, let me know if there would be a better place.

 

Is the Carb the original computer controlled Q-jet or has it been replaced with an aftermarket non-computer carb? If is the stock ccc-qjet then you should check to see if you have an O2 sensor first. If it was removed or is damaged than that would cause you to run rich because the car will be in open loop all the time. Is the check engine light coming on? Throwing any codes? Also if you have no cat were the A.I.R. accesories removed also? Check to see if all your other emmision hoses are hooked up and in good shape so you don't have any vacuum leaks.

If you have an aftermarket carb you should check on the carb forum for tuning suggestions.

 

as far as i know it is the stock qjet carb. i think my o2 sensor is missing, the one that would be (after the cat i think). sorry but this is a dumb question, what is the A.I.R system/accessories??? and i am going to pick up an obd1 code reader although the check engine light is not on. i also know that i have a missing hose of some sort that should have been off of the right header.

i just got it like two weeks ago and im still trying to figure out whatever the previous person did to it. i know it is kinda messed up though.

 

can the engine throw codes w/o the check engine light being on????