Running Rich

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Running Rich

Joined
Jan 9, 2007
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Hey Guys/Gals how can i check to see if my car is running rich. Sorry im a bit ignorant as to what to expect for an answer so if i have missed vital info please let me know.
Car
1.6 16v Fiat Stilo, 05.

Thanks

Stu-pot
 
using more fuel than normal, chokey kinda back of throat smell from the exhaust, sooted up tailpipe, black smoke, sooted up spark plugs, engine temp lower than normal
 
Ok i suppose it would have been better to list the reasons why i think i am running rich lol :doh:
Obviously the Oily/petrol smell, a lot of soot around the joins at the front of the exhaust, slow pick up on acceleration and low torque at low revs. Im thinking maybe the map is slightly over fuelling.
The Plugs seem to be fine TBH i have had them a year and they are hust a bit brown on the ends not black, no black smoke but i do get a bit of white every now and then but i put that down to oil being in there still from when i over filled it :eek:
Fuel economy im not sure really i never really drive the same way twice.
 
The amount of emiision control on modern cars makes it hard to run rich without flagging an error with the engine management - however i have seen cars fail an emissions test and not have any faults in the engine ecu. This was caused by the throttle body being dirty/coked up.

See about getting an emissions test done, get a printout and see what results you get.
 
Well actually i had my MOT last week and passed but i asked i have taken out the mid silencer so my emissions are a bit squiffy anyway but there wasnt really anything to worry about there.
Looks like its back to the drawing board as to what the problem is :mad:
Sorry Engines arent my thing so these obvious things are helping thanks guys.
 
if you have soot around the joints on the ehxaust then it is leaking.. and if its leaking post lambda then the car will see the extra air in the pipe and compensate by dumping more fuel in.
 
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