I just rebuilt my motor and I started it today. The car sounds like it studders, but I think that's b/c my exhaust isn't tight. The car sounds kinda like a lawn mower. It's like there's an exhaust leak from under the car. I was told to get a gasket but i'll do that later, and hopefully it'll fix that problem.

My other poblem is, my cuzin said i'm running super rich. You can smell the gas from outside and I have a good amount of black smoke out the exhaust. Is it really bad to run super rich?? How can I lean it out a little bit??

I have some more questions but i'm a lil tired and can't think of any.
Can ya'll help me with this?? thanks

 

Drive your car around the block then pull your plugs. That's the only way other then having a wideband to tell how rich/lean you are running. I do not recommend driving it hard since the motor has just been rebuilt.

The only way you can lean it out is through an EMS or v-afc. Is the motor NA or turbo?

 

my car sounds like that too, but my stock header is on and isnt connected properly at the joint. needless to say im not driving it, but yes, that lawnmower sound is a nasty *** exhaust leak!

 

Yea, I need to run it and check the spark plugs. I forgot about that. But I found out what made the lawn mower sound. My exhaust had a leak. I made an exhaust gasket and retighten the exhaust bolts and it sounds better. But, now it sounds a lil funnie still. Kinda like i'm miss firing. But not sure so i'll check it again later. ( I was doin this at night so, i'm a lil tired. hehe)

I have another question. Sometimes, when i start the car. It sounds like there's not enough gas. But when it does start, It looks like it's running rich. I just had my battery recharged so could that be the problem?? Do I need a fresh new battery to work good?? Thanks

 

Your car shouldn't be running rich just from a motor rebuild. Did you change the fuel pressure regulator or the injectors?

 

nah uh, i'm using my old fuel pressure regulator and injectors..

 

Are you throwing any codes? Check your O2 sensor.

 

The last time i check my codes, it said o2 sensor malfunction. I change out my o2 sensor and the code is still there. It's been like this for long time. That might be the reason why i'm running rich right?? Running rich is better than running lean, i'm guessing.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SHhh__VTEC &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">The last time i check my codes, it said o2 sensor malfunction. I change out my o2 sensor and the code is still there. It's been like this for long time. That might be the reason why i'm running rich right?? Running rich is better than running lean, i'm guessing. </TD></TR></TABLE>

So you've had a check engine light on for a long time now? There are two O2 sensors, one on the cat the other on the secondary runner of the header. You sure you changed the right one?

 

yea, i'm pretty sure I change the right one. I had honda check it for me. I need to check the engine light again to see if i'm running any other codes. I'll do it when I have time.

I have another question. I rebuilt my motor and i'm using oversized type s pistons. Since it's higher compression than stock, I will need more fuel right??

 

having a little bit more compression shouldn't cause a drastic need or any increased fuel, but maybe better gas, but with a .5 compression jump i wouldn't worry about it.

 

i always run with the highest octane gas, so i'm good.

i'm a lil worried about the engine. It sounds weird when i drive it. I can't keep the idle steady. It either idles high or when it goes low, it cuts off. I tried messing with the throttle cable but i can't seem to get it perfect.

 

How do I fix the idle to stay steady?? do I have to keep messing with the throttle cable?? Or is there something else that helps it adjust? When the idle gets too low, it feels like there's not enough air, or fuel, or too much fuel that it's bogging out.

Can anybody help me??

 

pull those CEL codes

running rich is bad, it'll damage your cat and O2 sensors

 

well, i'm running a test pipe, and one of my o2 sensor isn't working..

 

damn, it seems that so many ludes have an idling problem, it's posted almost once a week now. Check for vacuum leaks, adjust ur idle screw, clean out ur TB with some TB spray, that would probably clear it up.

 

Good idea. I gotta try the tb stray stuff. I tried messing with the idle a lot but can't get it right. if it goes under 1500 it starts to bog and die. If the car warms up for a while, the idle stays ok but a lil high. i need to check my vacuum lines. I have some lines T'd off to other vacuum lines. Can that be a problem??

 

Ur idle problem can be anything, if u even stare at a heavily modded or rebuilt car the wrong way they can start acting pissy. All i know is from my experience, diagnosing is the biggest PIA about cars, because all it takes is one small thing to make a lot of other things go bbaaaad. Good luck, cuz i sure as hell dont have any

 

yeah, I have some vacuum lines connected by Y-connectors

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by SHhh__VTEC &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">well, i'm running a test pipe, and one of my o2 sensor isn't working..</TD></TR></TABLE>

I think you should fix the running rich before you replace the O2 sensor so you don't damage it again.