running rich

89htch5.0 · 11-02-2001, 06:29 AM

I have a strong raw gas smell out of the exhaust. I've ck'd for faults/none. Recent tune-up/no help. The car is basically stock, still runs strong, idles ok, mpg unchanged. I just cannot pin-point the problem. Any suggestions? Thanks for help.

PKRWUD · 11-02-2001, 09:42 AM

How did the plugs look? You may need a new coil. Normally, I'd suggest the fuel system, but if your mileage hasn't changed, then the problem isn't with the fuel system, it's that the fuel isn't burning as completely as it was before. That points to either compression or ignition. Since it's still got strong power, that rules out compression. My money is on a problem with the ignition system, probably the coil.

Take care,
-Chris

------------------
Retired Moderator
MustangNet

My site: Peckerwoods Pit Stop

My teams site: Jim Porter Racing

RACECAR spelled backwards is RACECAR

HEY !!! Are you ASE Certified ??? If you are, ask me about iATN.

89htch5.0 · 11-06-2001, 12:26 AM

Plugs looked ok. Not too many miles on them since tune-up. Never thought of the coil. Can a coil's performance deteriorate?w/plenty of spark. I'm not sure. I will ck into it/ give it a try. Thanks for the advice. Take care.

jimberg · 11-06-2001, 01:02 AM

Worn O2 sensors would tend to cause a rich condition. They may not be worn to the point that they will cause a fault, though. Have you ever replaced them?

When you say that MPG hasn't changed, what's that compared to? Just before you noticed the smell in the exhaust or from a couple years ago?

What's not stock on the car at this point?

------------------
351W 89 Mustang GT Convertible

zach0 · 11-06-2001, 08:12 PM

I had changed the wires and plugs on my pontiac and after about a thousand miles I had a plug go bad and it did the same thing. Possible to a bad plug or wire. Check to see if they are sparking

------------------
66 Mustang Black W/ Black
289 Hi-Po 65'heads, MSD
Lunati High lift Cam
600CFM Carb Holley Heddman Headers, Hurst Shifter

89htch5.0 · 11-08-2001, 03:15 PM

Ive ck'd for spark on new plugs/ wires/cap. Plugs are not fouled nor wet. I still cant get any codes. Have replcd the fuel pres reg. Tried a new coil. Also tried new o2 snsrs. Ck'd for vacuum leaks/loose wires. Still have very strong unburned gas smell out exhaust.Sometimes the smell is stronger than others. I'm running out of ideas. Any suggestions. Thanks.

USMC302 · 11-08-2001, 07:03 PM

Are you running an off-road pipe? It will seem a little rich with these.

------------------
88LX NOTCH 5.0, TFS Twisted Wedge Aluminum heads, 2.02 1.60 valves, BBK shorties unequal 1 5/8, off road H-pipe, Flowmasters, Drag lites, custom grind cam, solid motormounts, Aluminum Driveshaft, BBK springs, lakewood 90/10 50/50 shocks, BBK upper and lower control arms, 4.10 gears, centerforce DF clutch, adjustable BBK clutch cable with aluminum quadrant, Billet Steel flywheel, 70mm Acufab Throttle Body,MAC cold fender mount induction, K&N, 3 core radiator, flex-lite-fan, custom hardened push-

89htch5.0 · 11-08-2001, 07:42 PM

I was running the off-road pipe w/no problems. I don't drive the car in the winter,so it sat. I changed the clutch during this time. When I went to drive it in the spring, the problem started. E-test was due, so I installed orig H-pipe. Still had the problem. I've been tinkering with it ever since. I have gotten it a little better but still an annoying smell.The car is still stock. 150k miles but strong/smooth running

crazy5.0 · 11-08-2001, 08:49 PM

Just as a thought what temperature is you car running at.If your car is running a low thermostat like a 160 or 180 than the car could be running to cold causing a rich condition.Especially possible with the change of seasons.My 180 thermostat went bad this week and I'm replacing it this weekend with a 195 because my cars is running rich.Smelly exhaust and popping exhaust.The temp gauge somtimes only goes up one mark and fluctuates constantly.

------------------
89gt,3.73's,tremec
3550,Steeda
tri-ax,aluminum
driveshaft,Asp
underdrives,Flowmast

89htch5.0 · 11-09-2001, 01:12 AM

I just changed it today, see what happens. I saw your post, said what the heck I'll give it a try. Can't hurt. Does anyone know a way to ck the performance of each injector. I may have one clogged or dirty. Thanks.

2FastLX · 11-09-2001, 05:56 AM

I read that you checked for vacuum leaks, but have you actually checked the vacuum to see if it might be the problem? My car did the exact same thing when I had the vacuum leak.

Also, I've heard the ECT sensor may cause similar problems. The ECT sensor is on the driver's side near the front on the lower intake. I believe they sell for around $15 at the Auto Zone near me.

Hope this helps. Good luck.

------------------
Gunning for 12's!

Buy your parts here
ICQ# 42269241

Coupe5oh · 11-09-2001, 01:14 PM

yea, you guys just reminded me i need to change my stat at least to a 180, this 160 is a little too cold, plus its getting cold here in tx, a little.

------------------
formerly known "90dpscoupe"
5spd 90lx, 3.27grs, BM fan, alum divesahaft, ADS chip, 160 stat, mac coldair fender, mac h-pipe.
Best e.t-13.91
60'-1.9 (on 225/60/15 firehawks)
mph- 98.70

11-02-2001, 06:29 AM	#1
89htch5.0 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 5	running rich I have a strong raw gas smell out of the exhaust. I've ck'd for faults/none. Recent tune-up/no help. The car is basically stock, still runs strong, idles ok, mpg unchanged. I just cannot pin-point the problem. Any suggestions? Thanks for help.

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11-02-2001, 09:42 AM	#2
PKRWUD Junior Member Join Date: Mar 1999 Location: Ventura, California Posts: 8,981	How did the plugs look? You may need a new coil. Normally, I'd suggest the fuel system, but if your mileage hasn't changed, then the problem isn't with the fuel system, it's that the fuel isn't burning as completely as it was before. That points to either compression or ignition. Since it's still got strong power, that rules out compression. My money is on a problem with the ignition system, probably the coil. Take care, -Chris ------------------ Retired Moderator MustangNet My site: Peckerwoods Pit Stop My teams site: Jim Porter Racing RACECAR spelled backwards is RACECAR HEY !!! Are you ASE Certified ??? If you are, ask me about iATN.

11-06-2001, 12:26 AM	#3
89htch5.0 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 5	Plugs looked ok. Not too many miles on them since tune-up. Never thought of the coil. Can a coil's performance deteriorate?w/plenty of spark. I'm not sure. I will ck into it/ give it a try. Thanks for the advice. Take care.

11-06-2001, 01:02 AM	#4
jimberg Registered Member Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Rogers, MN Posts: 2,089	Worn O2 sensors would tend to cause a rich condition. They may not be worn to the point that they will cause a fault, though. Have you ever replaced them? When you say that MPG hasn't changed, what's that compared to? Just before you noticed the smell in the exhaust or from a couple years ago? What's not stock on the car at this point? ------------------ 351W 89 Mustang GT Convertible

11-06-2001, 08:12 PM	#5
zach0 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Hampton, Virginia Posts: 227	I had changed the wires and plugs on my pontiac and after about a thousand miles I had a plug go bad and it did the same thing. Possible to a bad plug or wire. Check to see if they are sparking ------------------ 66 Mustang Black W/ Black 289 Hi-Po 65'heads, MSD Lunati High lift Cam 600CFM Carb Holley Heddman Headers, Hurst Shifter

11-08-2001, 03:15 PM	#6
89htch5.0 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 5	Ive ck'd for spark on new plugs/ wires/cap. Plugs are not fouled nor wet. I still cant get any codes. Have replcd the fuel pres reg. Tried a new coil. Also tried new o2 snsrs. Ck'd for vacuum leaks/loose wires. Still have very strong unburned gas smell out exhaust.Sometimes the smell is stronger than others. I'm running out of ideas. Any suggestions. Thanks.

11-08-2001, 07:03 PM	#7
USMC302 Registered Member Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Gallatin, Tn Posts: 1,326	Are you running an off-road pipe? It will seem a little rich with these. ------------------ 88LX NOTCH 5.0, TFS Twisted Wedge Aluminum heads, 2.02 1.60 valves, BBK shorties unequal 1 5/8, off road H-pipe, Flowmasters, Drag lites, custom grind cam, solid motormounts, Aluminum Driveshaft, BBK springs, lakewood 90/10 50/50 shocks, BBK upper and lower control arms, 4.10 gears, centerforce DF clutch, adjustable BBK clutch cable with aluminum quadrant, Billet Steel flywheel, 70mm Acufab Throttle Body,MAC cold fender mount induction, K&N, 3 core radiator, flex-lite-fan, custom hardened push-

11-08-2001, 07:42 PM	#8
89htch5.0 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 5	I was running the off-road pipe w/no problems. I don't drive the car in the winter,so it sat. I changed the clutch during this time. When I went to drive it in the spring, the problem started. E-test was due, so I installed orig H-pipe. Still had the problem. I've been tinkering with it ever since. I have gotten it a little better but still an annoying smell.The car is still stock. 150k miles but strong/smooth running

11-08-2001, 08:49 PM	#9
crazy5.0 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Mission Viejo,Ca Posts: 37	Just as a thought what temperature is you car running at.If your car is running a low thermostat like a 160 or 180 than the car could be running to cold causing a rich condition.Especially possible with the change of seasons.My 180 thermostat went bad this week and I'm replacing it this weekend with a 195 because my cars is running rich.Smelly exhaust and popping exhaust.The temp gauge somtimes only goes up one mark and fluctuates constantly. ------------------ 89gt,3.73's,tremec 3550,Steeda tri-ax,aluminum driveshaft,Asp underdrives,Flowmast

11-09-2001, 01:12 AM	#10
89htch5.0 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 5	I just changed it today, see what happens. I saw your post, said what the heck I'll give it a try. Can't hurt. Does anyone know a way to ck the performance of each injector. I may have one clogged or dirty. Thanks.

11-09-2001, 05:56 AM	#11
2FastLX The Photoshop Guru Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Mecca, Indiana Posts: 1,419	I read that you checked for vacuum leaks, but have you actually checked the vacuum to see if it might be the problem? My car did the exact same thing when I had the vacuum leak. Also, I've heard the ECT sensor may cause similar problems. The ECT sensor is on the driver's side near the front on the lower intake. I believe they sell for around $15 at the Auto Zone near me. Hope this helps. Good luck. ------------------ Gunning for 12's! Buy your parts here ICQ# 42269241

11-09-2001, 01:14 PM	#12
Coupe5oh Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: SanAntonio, Tx Posts: 734	yea, you guys just reminded me i need to change my stat at least to a 180, this 160 is a little too cold, plus its getting cold here in tx, a little. ------------------ formerly known "90dpscoupe" 5spd 90lx, 3.27grs, BM fan, alum divesahaft, ADS chip, 160 stat, mac coldair fender, mac h-pipe. Best e.t-13.91 60'-1.9 (on 225/60/15 firehawks) mph- 98.70