Technical Running rich!!

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Technical Running rich!!

Its not just Fiat two pole temp sensors that go, I replaced loads of them when I worked at a Vauxhall dealer.

If the engine is really running rich the 02 sensor would be trying to do something about it or if unable, it would put the light on.

When was the car last serviced? Is the oil fresh and to the correct spec? When was the air filter last changed?

Cheers

D
 
Is the beast idling normally (steady and around 900rpm) or is it hunting and unstable?
If it's a bit lumpy, stick a new lambda sensor in there and Roberto is your mother's brother.

If the idle is normal then how do you know it's running rich? Are you getting blue smoke out the back of the exhaust and/or a smell of petrol in the exhaust? A rich engine will also "race" for a little bit when hot, when you lift the gas/dip the clutch to change gear.

If you want to improve the beast's breathing you can change the air filter for a new one. Also remove the tube from the cam cover to the airbox and clean out any gunge in there. Check the oil level. If it's too high (above MAX) then that will make the engine labour a bit.

Check that the plugs are all clean and correctly gapped. Look for signs of one or more being sooty or oily since that may explain why the beast is running rich (since the ECU would sort it out normally).


Ralf S.
 
Sorry for not replying earlier, but I had a busy month! I've got the engine up to heat and it's not running rich anymore. However, the idle is not quite normal. Sometimes it idles high, but at other times it idles fine around 800/900rpm. About Lambda sensors... where do you change it? Also is it hard to change. I've reset ECU and found that the Airbox wasn't fitting properly. I fixed the airbox and now it runs better. The Lambda sensor sounds like the next move...

Cheers
RhysSmoove
 
idle sounds normal to me..

as the airbox wasn't fitted properly for an unknown length of time i'd be tempted to whip out the plugs and give them a clean up, i bet they are all black and coked up. Although again as history is unknown if it was me i'd be tempted to just buy a new set first and swap out for new ones.
 
Pardon me for poking my nose in. I had my cylinder head off end of last year, put it all back together, torque settings all correct but was running rich, very sooty spark plugs. Turns out the exhaust manifold bolts had loosened which was drawing air into the system. Tightened the manifold bolts up and it cured the problem.
 
Thanks for all the help!
I will check sparks, manifold and pipes on throttle body. I've taken the breather hose off and I'm wondering how to clean it out. Would petrol or paraffin be a good option? The hose isn't split or perished so thats good news. However, car still seems to be running lumpy. However, the car hasn't been driven that much over winter so I can imagine that the engine is coked up.
Cheers again,

Rhys
 
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