Ok, so i just got an LS swapped 94 Hatch. The problem im getting is this.

At idle and normal driving, the car spits and sputters. It even shakes when it spits like that. It is running very rich. When running it smells like gas at the exhaust and is smoking a little. And no its not oil smoke just to clarify.

When under full throttle, it doesnt seem to spit and sputter. Maybe just a very little bit if any at all.

Now, as far as i know it is a stock setup. B18B1 with dc sports header, short ram intake and a PR4 ECU. The only CEL i get is for the O2 sensor. The PO said he put a new one in and it still didnt help. I even tried a P75 ECU and it did the same thing.

So guys, what could my problem be? Im thinking maybe the distributor, but wouldnt that throw a code?

 

Fix the O2 sensor code. Is the code for the heater element or the sensor itself?

 

If that doesn't work (what Ron said), adjust the timing at the distributor. Check all your spark plugs/wires. Mine did the same thing. I adjusted the timing by the distributor and it helped a lot, but the problem was still there. I pulled one of the wires and it was cracked pretty bad. Replaced all of the wires and the sputtering problem was completely gone.

 

the code for the O2 is 41. But i know its bad cuz the O2 wires are cut. As for the distributor, i have already turned it and it didnt help any. But i do have new plugs to go in it and going to get new wires. Im hoping thats the problem but im not sure.

I do have some other fairly new plug wires im gonna stick on it just to see if it helps at all.

 

Properly repair/solder the O2 sensor wires so that the sensor can work again. When the O2 sensor is disconnected, the ECU runs in open loop mode, which specifies a preprogrammed rich fuel mixture.

 

Ron, I guess that's so the motor doesn't get too much air messing up the AFR and the motor will then be seized. eek

 

so you guys think it could really be just the o2? i really hope so lol. that would be an easy fix

 

I had the exact same problem with the exact same CEL. I replaced the 02 with a brand new one, no difference. It took me two nights in the garage nonstop with a timing light, throwing plugs, cap/rotor etc in it until I finally decided to look at my "new" plug wires and found out one was broken and the spark was grounding out in the plug tube

 

im gonna put some new plugs and wires in it later today and see if that is the problem. i really hope so

 

well, put o2 sensor in and CEL went away, put new plugs and wires on and still have the spitting and sputtering. even put in a new coil. No change. Any ideas on what else it could be? im not getting any CELs at all now

 

well finally got the sputtering fixed. it turned out to be the map sensor vacuum line wasnt in the right location. anly problem now is its still running a little rich and i cant get it to idle down any lower than 1500 rpms

 

nobody have any ideas?