is it normal for crx's to run a tad rich? Prior to re-installing the factory cat the exhaust fumes where always smelling a bit rich. I have replaced the factory cat back in the car and now it doesn't seem to smell rich. However, I have read that running even slightly rich over the long term can damage a cat.

I am using the stock 02 sensor and my autometer a/f ratio gauge tells me at idle that I'm running rich/full green area. Only when I start driving does it appear to run at stoich.

Last but not least I was going to replace the o2 sensor with a new NGK one just to be safe but my buddy said that its pointless unless the sensor was bad.

I know on my 98 teg type r the a/f ratio is not full rich at idle like my crx is but then again my teg type r is OBD II.

My car is kept in good tune with regular fluid and plug changes.

Thanks

 

Better to replace a cat that has clogged over years of running rich than to have to crack open an engine that has run a few weeks on lean. I wouldn't worry to much about running a tid bit on the rich side. I wouldn't put too much trust in the led light air/fuel gauge, too inaccurate.

 

Its probly more rich then the newer cars. newer cars are in better tune then our old cars.

DX is probly the one that is the richest of them all IMO.

 

well i managed to get a hold of a friend that had a bosch o2 sensor that was new in the box that he sold to me. I installed it tonight and the autometer a/f ratio meter does in fact say that the new o2 sensor is now leaning out more and the response from the a/f ratio meter is also quicker now too. At idle the car doesn't seem to smell as strong although there are still traces of combusion. Probably quite typical of all obd0 cars.

Throttle response is a bit better but more noticeable is the low end torque. It seems to be better and even the idle although quite smooth before is now extremely smooth.

Before when I was driving at 50km/h and let off the gas completely the car would lean out to the last red LED. When going 120km/h and I let off the gas only then would the led turn off completely.

Now with the new bosch o2 sensor the led goes out completely when i let off the throttle at low speeds too.

So.... was the change a good thing? Not 100% sure yet. The gas mileage improvement will tell me ultimately if it helped.

Cheers