Running rich?

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Oct 4, 2004 | 03:25 PM

KP Texan

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From: Portland TX

Running rich?

I was sitting in very heavy traffic the other night on the way back from school. The water temp got pretty high (about 240) and eventually my SES light came on. The next day, I was headed to Autozone to have the codes run and the SES light turned off by itself. When I got to Autozone the code was still in the computer and it said something like "Running rich in 1st bank". I just had the guy delete the code and I have had no problems ever since. Could this be a problem with an O2 sensor? Is there any way to tell if it is still running too rich? I have noticed some carbon buildup on my exhaust tips and I think there is also a bit of carbon on my car's tail and inside the taillight indentions.

Thanks for the help,

Wes

Last edited by KP Texan; Oct 4, 2004 at 05:04 PM.

Oct 4, 2004 | 04:39 PM

mikey whipreck

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I'm assuming you mean 240, not 140... and 240 is pretty hot, but i think 250 is when you would get a code. You might wanna flush your coolant, or clean your radiator... Anyway- that is probably unrelated to your code, which sounds like an intermittant problem. Your computer will store the code, even after the SES light turns off, and will hold it until you clear the codes.... I'm not familiar with your year, but I'm sure someone will chime in with exactly what to do with your code... Did the guy at autozone tell you with number your code was?

Oct 4, 2004 | 05:07 PM

KP Texan

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From: Portland TX

Yes, I meant 240 degrees. Sorry for the confusion. Unfortunately, I forgot to write the code number down. Hopefully some of you guys have seen that code descrition before though.

Thanks again,

Wes

Oct 4, 2004 | 09:35 PM

CFI-EFI

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From: The Top of Utah

It is reasonable certain the the code was sent by the O2 on that side of the car. Of course the code COULD mean a bad O2, or it also could have been a correct reading for an improper mixture. If you DO see the light again, you are really going to need a Helms manual to properly track the cause.

I would wait for it to reoccur before I got too worried. In the meantime it might be a good idea to flush the cooling system, clean out in front of the radiator and verify the fans operate properly.

RACE ON!!!

Oct 4, 2004 | 10:02 PM

KP Texan

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From: Portland TX

So is it a good idea to replace the O2 sensors as a normal wear item or would that just be a waste of money? My Vette just passed 60,000 miles and I'm not sure if they've ever been changed.

-Wes

Oct 4, 2004 | 10:14 PM

Lone Ranger

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Quote:

Originally Posted by KP Texan

So is it a good idea to replace the O2 sensors as a normal wear item or would that just be a waste of money? My Vette just passed 60,000 miles and I'm not sure if they've ever been changed.

-Wes

I'd be replacing them. My '95 has 40,000 miles and I'm thinking about replacing mine. No codes, but then O2's don't trip a code until they're really really ate up and causing you to run pig-rich.

Oct 5, 2004 | 11:14 AM

KP Texan

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From: Portland TX

I just checked on the pricees for replacement O2 sensors and they appear to be about $55 a piece. I understand that my Corvette has 4 of them: 1 before each cat and one after each cat. Can these be replaced one at a time or only in pairs? Assuming I was running rich in bank one, which side of the engine would that be?

Thanks for the replies,

Wes

Oct 5, 2004 | 11:27 AM

Lone Ranger

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You can get by with replacing just two-- there is one in front of each catalytic converter and one behind each catalytic converter. The ones behind the cats are there to monitor the cats and are not used in the air/fuel ratio decision by the computer. So replacing the one in front of each cat should get you by.