truck running REALLY rich

[AlaskaTy]

My truck has some serious problems with it right now. I suppose the biggest problem is the turbo is running very hot (it starts spooling in reverse for some reason, and it feels like to even get going it starts to spool) after about 5 minutes of running or idleing the heat comming off that side of the motor is astounding. My truck is also running pig rich... I was talking to Jim Sloan (Leroy) and we figured that the turob might be running so hot (that and low vacuum, and rich condition) might be attributed to a clogged cat. I got the cat gutted and the only significant change was the truck doesn't start that well anymore. My fuel pressure is about 47lbs on my in-cab fp gauge with the truck off. I'm going to pull the plugs this weekend, but aside from that I'm lost. It has a newer fuel pump (255lt/hr), fuel injectors (55#ers), ultimate chip, and fuel filter. I'm not throwing any codes, but the O2 sensor hasn't been replaced by me in the past 4 years...Any ideas as to why my turbo's so hot and why it's running so rich? Thanks.

Jason

 

[Merk]

Re: truck running REALLY rich

on the spooling issue: check that your wastegate isnt stuck open.

on the richness issue: replace the 02, pull your ECM fuses and reset your computer.

check your intake system as well. Sounds like your engine is starving for air.

 

[AlaskaTy]

Re: truck running REALLY rich

on the spooling issue: check that your wastegate isnt stuck open.

on the richness issue: replace the 02, pull your ECM fuses and reset your computer.

check your intake system as well. Sounds like your engine is starving for air.

How do I check the wastegate? Visually or should I physically move it and see what it's range of motion is? I'm not throwing any O2 codes, but if I replaced it with say a wide band o2 sensor would that work the same even before I get it tuned? I pulled the negative terminal off for about 10 minutes (also had the ECM fuses out at the same time) reconnected it and then about 10 minutes later I put in the fuses. My airfilter is clean, but I haven't looked in the TB recently.

 

[92Typhoon1679]

Re: truck running REALLY rich

Ive been chasing the same problem i finally think i found the problem its my Oxygen sensor.

 

[AlaskaTy]

Re: truck running REALLY rich

Ive been chasing the same problem i finally think i found the problem its my Oxygen sensor.

Were you throwing any codes?

 

[Merk]

Re: truck running REALLY rich

a)How do I check the wastegate? Visually or should I physically move it and see what it's range of motion is? b) I'm not throwing any O2 codes, but if I replaced it with say a wide band o2 sensor would that work the same even before I get it tuned? I pulled the negative terminal off for about 10 minutes (also had the ECM fuses out at the same time) reconnected it and then about 10 minutes later I put in the fuses. c)My airfilter is clean, but I haven't looked in the TB recently.

a)To check the wastegate, pull the pin and check if it moves freely. works like a pendulum on a clock....back and forth.

b)Dont overthink this. Just go buy a new regular Bosch 02 and go from there. Once you have solved your problem(s), then you can skirt chase.

c)Air filter is a good place to start. I would also check the hoses that bring the air FROM the filter TO the turbo. Check for debris and while you are at it, cracks, holes, etc.

Do you have good vaccuum? check this as well.

Remember: FIX, then tune. TUNE, then mod.

 

[leroy]

Re: truck running REALLY rich

Do you really have 55# injectors? There's no Ultimate chip for 55# injectors.

I think the low vacuum is a mechanical problem having to do with restricted intake or exhaust flow.

Jim

 

[dgoodhue]

Re: truck running REALLY rich

Low vacuum can indicate a intake leak, which can cause a rich condition. Do you have a scan tool? what is your vacuum at idle? Try lowering the fuel pressure?

 

[QUICK STORM]

Re: truck running REALLY rich

our trucks aren't sophisticated enough to throw an o2 sensor code for being lazy. replace that sensor.

 

[leroy]

Re: truck running REALLY rich

Low vacuum can indicate a intake leak, which can cause a rich condition. Do you have a scan tool? what is your vacuum at idle? Try lowering the fuel pressure?

I would expect an intake leak to cause a lean condition and low IAC counts. I suppose, if lean enough, fueling could be switched to an area of the closed throttle VE table that is seldom used and poorly tuned. That area of the table could be rich.

Jim

 

[AlaskaTy]

Re: truck running REALLY rich

It seems like the consensus is intake and exhaust so I'll put a couple hours into that this morning, starting witht he o2 sensor and visually checking my muffler and intake tract.

 

[leroy]

Re: truck running REALLY rich

our trucks aren't sophisticated enough to throw an o2 sensor code for being lazy. replace that sensor.

How can a lazy O2 sensor cause low engine vacuum?

I agree it may cause a rich condition.

Jim

 

[AlaskaTy]

Re: truck running REALLY rich

Do you really have 55# injectors? There's no Ultimate chip for 55# injectors.

I think the low vacuum is a mechanical problem having to do with restricted intake or exhaust flow.

Jim

I meant 50# injectors.

Another question: How do I get my O2 sensor off? I've been reefing on this thing for 40 minutes and all i'm doing is rounding the corners. Any advice?

 

[leroy]

Re: truck running REALLY rich

I meant 50# injectors.

Another question: How do I get my O2 sensor off? I've been reefing on this thing for 40 minutes and all i'm doing is rounding the corners. Any advice?

Try it while the exhaust is hot. It shouldn't take long on your truck. lol

An O2 sensor socket helps sometime, but they can spread open.

Jim

 

[AlaskaTy]

Re: truck running REALLY rich

I tried to get the o2 sensor off with an o2 socket and ended up stripping the nut. Anyone have any suggestions on how to get it out now? Also I pulled my #1 and #3 plugs and #1 was wet fouled and #3 looked like new. Is there any reason why they look so different? Could one of the spark plug wires be bad? It shakes a fair amound at idle. Thanks.

 

[Timbo]

Re: truck running REALLY rich

If your #1 plug isn't firing, or is intermittent, it could wet-foul the plug, so the wire could be bad.

 

[QUICK STORM]

Re: truck running REALLY rich

How can a lazy O2 sensor cause low engine vacuum?

I agree it may cause a rich condition.

Jim

i wasn't refering to engine vacuum, i was just implying that we don't really have a built in o2 sensor monitor to check for switch time between rich and lean.

 

[AlaskaTy]

Re: truck running REALLY rich

Well, my truck starts occasionally now, and when it does it blows a LOT of light colored smoke. It still smells really really rich. I stripped my o2 sensor so I can't put a new one in until I can drive it to a shop and have it torched off. Is it possible that the o2 is accountable for the rich condition and all the smoke? There also seems to be quite a load put on my engine b/c it is starting hard (after starting initially with a 100A jump) then it starts just fine. Here's what I've done recently:
Cleaned spark plugs
ohm tested wires (all within 20 ohms/ft of each other)
checked starter (good)
new optima yellow top battery
checked spark (good at all six points)
gutted catalytic converter
checked intake tract (good)

 

[ed hess]

Re: truck running REALLY rich

Well, my truck starts occasionally now, and when it does it blows a LOT of light colored smoke. It still smells really really rich. I stripped my o2 sensor so I can't put a new one in until I can drive it to a shop and have it torched off. Is it possible that the o2 is accountable for the rich condition and all the smoke? There also seems to be quite a load put on my engine b/c it is starting hard (after starting initially with a 100A jump) then it starts just fine. Here's what I've done recently:
Cleaned spark plugs
ohm tested wires (all within 20 ohms/ft of each other)
checked starter (good)
new optima yellow top battery
checked spark (good at all six points)
gutted catalytic converter
checked intake tract (good)

does all that light colored smoke seem to dissipate rather quickly compared to what to you see if a car is buring oil riding down the road?

when you say "Hard to start" do you mean its as if the starter just needs a bit more power to get it to spin over as quickly as in the past?

hopefully the answer to both questions is no....

 

[AlaskaTy]

Re: truck running REALLY rich

does all that light colored smoke seem to dissipate rather quickly compared to what to you see if a car is buring oil riding down the road?

when you say "Hard to start" do you mean its as if the starter just needs a bit more power to get it to spin over as quickly as in the past?

hopefully the answer to both questions is no....

I only let it run for about 40seconds and it smoked the entire time. The starter feels like it turns over just fine, but some cranks it bogs down it seems like. So the answer to those questions very well may be yes (not conclusive yet)