Headers are Killing me!!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: Holtsville NY
Headers are Killing me!!
Alright so I installed a set of EM 1 3/4" Headers to my existing Flowmaster exhaust. I deleted the cats, the AIR, EGR and AC systems. TPIS burned the chip for it. Since I finished the installation I have had nothing but problems. I haven't been able to even take it off the lift!
I have a miss (an audible knocking thumping type of sound like small explosions) coming from the right side exhaust from probably the header or just aft of that. It is intermittent (I have periods where it is constant and periods where it goes away). It also very infrequently backfires out of the exhaust on throttle.
I have checked the spark plugs, spark plug wires and fuel pressure.
What could this be??
I am thinking (hoping) that it is either an exhaust leak or maybe the O2 sensors are not reaching temperature and need to be changed to heated types.
Any help or opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
I have a miss (an audible knocking thumping type of sound like small explosions) coming from the right side exhaust from probably the header or just aft of that. It is intermittent (I have periods where it is constant and periods where it goes away). It also very infrequently backfires out of the exhaust on throttle.
I have checked the spark plugs, spark plug wires and fuel pressure.
What could this be??
I am thinking (hoping) that it is either an exhaust leak or maybe the O2 sensors are not reaching temperature and need to be changed to heated types.
Any help or opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 16,838
Likes: 341
From: Database Error Indiana
Originally Posted by SK.LT1
Is it possible that you have a plug wire arcing out against one of the header tubes?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 2,816
Likes: 2
From: Austin, TX
Not sure, but I thought '92 already had heated O2 sensors (not sure what year they started using them).
Sounds stupid, but run the car in the dark and look closely at the plug wires. Even though they look fine, sometimes that's the only way to actually see it arcing.
Make sure the O2 sensor on that side wasn't damaged and is seated properly. On my EM's, I had one of the O2's back out because I hadn't torqued it enough. That caused a leak and also caused the sensor to read that there was too much O2, therefore it dumps extra fuel into that bank making it run extremely rich, which gives you symptoms much like you're describing.
Sounds stupid, but run the car in the dark and look closely at the plug wires. Even though they look fine, sometimes that's the only way to actually see it arcing.
Make sure the O2 sensor on that side wasn't damaged and is seated properly. On my EM's, I had one of the O2's back out because I hadn't torqued it enough. That caused a leak and also caused the sensor to read that there was too much O2, therefore it dumps extra fuel into that bank making it run extremely rich, which gives you symptoms much like you're describing.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 891
Likes: 18
From: Dayton Ohio
Originally Posted by MarkBychowski
Not sure, but I thought '92 already had heated O2 sensors (not sure what year they started using them).
Epyon127
It sounds to me like you could have an O2 sensor issue. You should scan the computer to see how they are reading before you buy anything. I hope you get to the bottom of it soon, I would like to hear what it turns out to be.
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Verdad Gallardo
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,753
Likes: 9
From: Louisiana
Leaks, wires arching with headers, timing off, AIR delete, are a few that wold cause the problem you stated. You will need a heated O2 sensor with headers, if you don't already, because you will stay in open loop more than closed.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 176
Likes: 0
From: Holtsville NY
Thanks for all the help.
I have a Datamaster program, would that be able to see how the O2 sensors are working?
How hard are the heated O2s to wire in?
I will check the wires for arcing tonight in the dark (I never thought of that).
Typically it only seems to backfire when it is on throttle not when letting off. What causes that?
Thanks again!
I have a Datamaster program, would that be able to see how the O2 sensors are working?
How hard are the heated O2s to wire in?
I will check the wires for arcing tonight in the dark (I never thought of that).
Typically it only seems to backfire when it is on throttle not when letting off. What causes that?
Thanks again!
Pro
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 522
Likes: 3
From: Rolling Meadows IL
I would put the old chip in. See how it runs for the first 60 seconds. I don't know when your car goes into closed loop but it should be after about 3 min. If after ~3 min the car starts to run like crap it's the O2 sensors.
Did you change anything else? Did the car run good before the mods?
Did you change anything else? Did the car run good before the mods?
