Does anyone know what happens to the car if anything when it runs rich? Is it bad for the car? I hardly ever drive it. It sits at my shop most of the time. Does stuff build up inside the motor that has to be cleaned or blown out by driving it? Can you tell my a certain exhaust smell that it makes saying it is running rich. My car has no engine codes. Thanks for any help..

Mike
1995 t5R

 

I posted in your other thread. I don't think driving it rich is a problem. The computer in the car should adjust for the cars tune, condition and gas octane. The only thing I would look for is vacuum leaks and drive it about 400 miles (that takes me about a week )

 

Thanks for all your help. I will be putting more miles on it next week than I did all last year. Is their a best way to look for vacuum leaks?

 

For what it's worth, my 94 850na threw a code (can't remember the numbers) that said it was running rich. It turned out to be holes in the large intake hose after the MAS. I'm guessing to much air going in so it compensated with more fuel and showed running rich. I first taped up the holes, there were 3, and cleared the code and it never came back. Got a new hose and that was it. Check out the intake hose for small cracks in between the groves. Or take it off and shine a bright light inside and stretch it apart, but not too much if it's old or you will need a new hose!

 

correct me if im wrong, but doesnt running rich for extended periods of time eventually foul your plugs? eitherway its not a big deal

 

If your going on a long trip I would do a sea foam vacuum treatment, and then change your plugs.
If your running really rich you ill not only foul a plug or two over time but you would be blowing black smoke under acceleration, most of the time.
But as rspi said our cars will self adjust to changing conditions, like in higher altitudes it will trim the fuel to get the right mixture for the thinner air.

 

I wanted to check and see if maybe my temp sensor was bad and to get to it you need to remove the thermostat to get the bolted in CTS and it turned out my thermostat was broke and stuck open. I think it was not letting my car warm up and made something have to keep trying to get it warmed up and made it run rich like when it is first started in the morning. I put in a new thermostat and it runs better already plus the heavy exhaust smell is gone.