My 88 t/a is Running ricccchhhh and causeing powerloss
i put it on the scope at my frends shop and im getting
good waveform patterns so im assuming the ignition system
is good as well as air intake and compression w/ led me to
belive it could be the coolent tempature sensor or the o2
sensor another thing is that it seems that i have a exhaust leek maby my exhaust manifold gaskets ? i could fix this all better if i had more time i want to bring it up to wyoming where i am now going to school but the car is in ny .. so driving it up would be bad with the way its running rich if i had to drive it up using that much gas i would but if i dident have to and could fix it quick it would be better or even a temp fix i was thinking about fooling the ecm to lean out but im not sure yet anyone have any ideas ? its agggravateeing this thing .. oh aallso its been taken its sweet time to start so i guess thats another thign to add to the list hard starting .. how aggravateing
-Ed

 

Eddie,

AS an oxygen sensor ages and deteriorates, the signal from it gets weaker (the sensor conducts more reference current to ground as the sensor becomes contaminated). As a result of the lower output voltage from the sensor, the ECM interprets the signal as a lean condition, so the ECM will usually add more fuel to compensate. If you haven't changed the O2 sensor in the last 30,000 miles, it might be time.

Also, any air leaks into the exhaust system, either through a gasket, the Air Injection Reaction system, or whatever, can create an artificial lean condition just like the failing oxygen sensor. The ECM will add fuel until the limit is reached. Of course, a leaking injector(s) can create a rich condition, but a good O2 sensor should detect that and set an error code.