I haven't been able to drive my 92 RS with TBI in 2 years. I've started it in the driveway at least once a month and let it get up to operating temp and move it back and forth to get everything lubed up.

A week before I got it re-tagged and inspected, I decided to do a bunch of maintenance. I replaced the radiator hose, thermostat, cleaned the IAC up, changed the plugs and wires, and changed the oil. After doing all this, with air cleaner off, I noticed that my driver side injector was dripping a little. After having it inspected (and passed, inspector said he couldn't believe it sat for that long), I stopped by Autozone and picked up some Seafoam. It cleared the leaky injector up.

Driving to work, I got a SES light. When I checked the code, it was Code 44. In the last 2 weeks, I've noticed that once it gets up to operational temp, the code will throw and I can smell fuel. It idled lower and it feels slightly rough. I'm also getting horrible gas mileage. My last calculation was around 8 mpg city (Before I stopped driving, I was getting 16-18 mpg city) I had some rough looking injector wiring, so I fixed all those issues and no change.

What exactly should I be looking at next? I'm starting to think that the Seafoam is messing with my o2 sensor, but it should be almost gone from my tank by now.

Also, I don't like the design of the new upper radiator hose. It doesn't sit in the original holder beside the alternator, it goes over the alternator bracket. Is there a different hose I should use?

Thanks for an input in advance. I'm just happy to drive my most prized possession again.

 

Code 44 is a lean O2 reading. Suspect is the fuel pressure (pump and/or filter).

RBob.

 

Thanks for pointing me in a direction. I'll have to check my fuel pressure and see whats up.

 

I fought a "lean" code at high speed/fully warmed-up for years on my '88 K1500. Fuel pressure was good, injector spray was good, no apparent misfire, no "false" air from the AIR system, etc. The O2 sensor had excellent cross-counts at low speed, but none at highway speed--and then the code would re-set.

One day I decided that everything had been checked a dozen times, but the O2 sensor had 80,000 miles on it and only cost $13. I stuffed a new O2 sensor in the manifold--and that was the end of my lean code. Apparently, the O2 sensor failed in a way that provided a false lean indication at highway speed.

Remember also that any misfire can produce a "lean" indication at the O2 sensor. If the air/fuel mixture doesn't burn--or doesn't burn properly--the unburned air in the exhaust will be sensed by the O2 sensor and produce a lean indication.

 

Yeah, mines doing it at part throttle as well. If I get on it a couple times the code goes away.


Update, I changed the fuel filter and drove it the same route to work on my day off and it didn't come on. I blew into the old fuel filter and it seemed slightly clogged.


Ill probably go ahead and change the o2 sensor. I have no idea how long its been on the car since I've only put 9k on it since buying it 4 years ago.


Thanks for all the input guys