Running dangerously rich.. need help diagnosing

[SirThomas8]

I went to the dyno shop again today. I'm running even richer now with my OBX Headers and Jim's Fuel Mod than I was before!!! I'm also throwing a CEL P1410 since the header install.

P1410 = Valve position sensor fault (malfunction)

You'll see with the dyno from today posted below that there is a huge variance between runs, and my AFR drops as low as 9.8:1 AFR!!! Something is making my computer freak out and dump fuel into my engine. You'll also notice that the Closed Loop is running fine at 14.6:1 AFR

CURRENT Dyno 2 Date: 3/11/10 (w/ OBX headers and Jim's fuel mod)


PAST Dyno 1 Date: 3/5/10 (stock manifold and exhaust w/ Injen intake)


Here are some possible causes that people have mentioned (though no one seems confident about any of these being the problem)
1. Dirty MAF
2. Injen intake causing problems (doubt it!)
3. O2 Sensors dirty/faulty
4. Injectors stuck open
4. Broken EGR (EGR is snapped which might be causing the CEL but probably not the richness, from what I understand. Probably not the cause because I was already running rich before it snapped i think)
5. Disconnected vacuum line.
6. Leaking manifold/exhaust (This was a problem before, but entire exhaust and gaskets has been replaced with OBX and JP, should be fixed)

Today I'm going to do three things. I'm going to clean my MAF sensor, check for disconnected vac lines, and SeaFoam to look for exhaust leaks.

If anyone has any experience, suggestions, or ideas on which of those listed you think it may be or something not listed, please let me know. Any input is greatly appreciated. I know if anyone has the answer... it's the awesome SolaraGuy community.

[1gSE]

Stock injectors? What are you using to tune? How's the idle?

::edit:: A while ago my car ran like crap and it ended up being the EGR valve stuck open. Cruised fine, but gettin on it or sitting still, it ran rich as f*ck

[ASG14]

Josh, I'll call you back later. I got busy.

He;s running a stock fuel system EXCEPT for Jims fuel mod.

I am thinking the MAF may need a cleaning.

[SirThomas8]

I just cleaned the MAF. I can't personally tell if it made any difference. Especially since I swear I feel a nice power boost with my new exhaust, but according to the dyno i'm just full of crap lol.

Gabe is sending me some 02 sensors and a EGR he has lying around so I can put those in and see if that fixes it. The EGR should fix the CEL.

I found that a nut is missing from one of the three bolts attaching the front header to the collector. I SeaFoamed and saw a small amount of exhaust leakage there, but not much. So I doubt that is the problem. NOTHING like when I had this bad leak: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fT9JrvXdn6c

Stock injectors? What are you using to tune? How's the idle?

::edit:: A while ago my car ran like crap and it ended up being the EGR valve stuck open. Cruised fine, but gettin on it or sitting still, it ran rich as f*ck

yes I have stock injectors, stock sparks, stock pump, everything but jim's fuel mod.

The idle feels fine (but what do i know, it all feels fine to me), and you can see on the dyno that my Closed Loop levels look fine (around 14.6).

Josh, I'll call you back later. I got busy.

He;s running a stock fuel system EXCEPT for Jims fuel mod.

I am thinking the MAF may need a cleaning.

no problem dude and i appreciate your help. ive been running around myself anyhow.

[SirThomas8]

No one else has any ideas and input on what might be causing this?

Stock injectors? What are you using to tune? How's the idle?

::edit:: A while ago my car ran like crap and it ended up being the EGR valve stuck open. Cruised fine, but gettin on it or sitting still, it ran rich as f*ck

Oh, and I haven't gotten a tune yet. I'm still n/a right now. Not gonna put on the S/C 'til I can get this problem fixed first. I do have an SAFC2 that I'll probably be installing this week. I think I'm gonna invest in a good AFR Gauge and use that to help me fix this issue. That way I can independently verify any improvements without having to go back and forth to the dyno.

[ToyoSolV6]

yeah dude im having the same problem. my idle feels real rough though. its weird it only does it when i turn the steering wheel. the idle drops and feels like the car is about to turn off. I dont know if i have a leak somewhere. I know i need a tune and havnt done that yet and i havent clean my maf so maybe that could be the cause.

let me know what you try to do and if that fixes your issue. Good luck.

[99BlackSandv6]

OP Maybe just some sort of Long-term fuel trim problem.
You said it's fine in closed loop, but in open it's super rich.
That means that the sensors are fine, but the computer is
going to a rich mix as a default. In open-loop the computer
ignores the O2 readings.

Fernando, I think you have a restricted power steering line.
If the problem is only when you turn the steering wheel,
that tells me it's steering pump related, get the system
flushed and filled with fresh fluid.

Just my take on situation(s).
I hope it helps.

-Ben

[ToyoSolV6]

Yeah Ben I was actually thinking the same thing, idle drops dramatically when i turn the wheel. Ill do that this week. Thanks