Running rich/unknown dash light - 3000GT/Stealth International Message Center

shaggy_walrus · 04-27-2008, 11:17 AM

First off, a week ago, my 95 SL started smoking (white) when I revved the engine. It smells strongly of gas, and I was wondering what I needed to do to get my air/fuel mixture back to normal. I have lately had to adjust the screw on the throttle body that controls the idle. At one point the car would be up around 3k RPMs when idling so I screwed it all the way in which brought it down to 900 but after a few days the car wouldn't idle at all so I adjusted it again to bring it up to 1k. It slowly (over the course of a couple of days) got higher and higher so I lowered it again and it wouldn't idle again. I don't why this keeps happening, but I was curious as to whether or not me screwing with the idle would cause it to be running rich?

I have a dash light that I guess looks like a colleseum (its in the lower right hand section) that randomly comes on and goes off. Does anyone know what this lights mean?

extC · 04-27-2008, 11:31 AM

The dash light you described means low engine coolant =)

jbavousett · 04-27-2008, 12:20 PM

White smoke is usually coolant in the combustion chamber. That and the coolant light look like a blown head gasket. That would also explain the poor idle. Also, if you have coolant in the chamber, then the fuel smell may be because the mix isn't igniting.

gipper72488 · 04-27-2008, 07:20 PM

yeah you need to pressure test your engine to see

hyperblu · 04-27-2008, 08:33 PM

o2 sensors can also cause drivability issues and irratic air fuel mixture ratios...

ooeygooey · 04-27-2008, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hyperblu

o2 sensors can also cause drivability issues and irratic air fuel mixture ratios...

the o2 sensors wouldnt cause the problems he stated, and if it were so, then 95% it would throw a CEL for an o2 sensor

also... i would get on that pressure test asap because liquid in the cylinder= bad news bears... liquid does not compress....

SOHCStealth · 04-28-2008, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ooeygooey

the o2 sensors wouldnt cause the problems he stated, and if it were so, then 95% it would throw a CEL for an o2 sensor

also... i would get on that pressure test asap because liquid in the cylinder= bad news bears... liquid does not compress....

I'll second the headgasket diagnosis.

Stealthee · 04-28-2008, 04:29 PM

Just because the coolant is low does not mean its a blown headgasket. My coolant is low right now and my engine is fine.

As for the idle issue it sound like the IAC is dirty or faulty.

The smoke is most likely valve seals.

As for the 02 sensors, I've never personally seen a faulty o2 sensor throw a CEL on a 3s yet.

ooeygooey · 04-28-2008, 10:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stealthee

Just because the coolant is low does not mean its a blown headgasket. My coolant is low right now and my engine is fine.

As for the idle issue it sound like the IAC is dirty or faulty.

The smoke is most likely valve seals.

As for the 02 sensors, I've never personally seen a faulty o2 sensor throw a CEL on a 3s yet.

or the piston rings are bad : O

there is nothing on this damn car that throws a CEL unless you actually unplug a damn sensor.... ridoinkulous

Stealthee · 04-29-2008, 04:53 AM

Nah, he'd know if the rings were bad. I would leave smoke screens coming to a stop in my car.

04-27-2008, 11:17 AM	#1 (permalink)
shaggy_walrus New User - Please be kind Join Date: Apr 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Running rich/unknown dash light First off, a week ago, my 95 SL started smoking (white) when I revved the engine. It smells strongly of gas, and I was wondering what I needed to do to get my air/fuel mixture back to normal. I have lately had to adjust the screw on the throttle body that controls the idle. At one point the car would be up around 3k RPMs when idling so I screwed it all the way in which brought it down to 900 but after a few days the car wouldn't idle at all so I adjusted it again to bring it up to 1k. It slowly (over the course of a couple of days) got higher and higher so I lowered it again and it wouldn't idle again. I don't why this keeps happening, but I was curious as to whether or not me screwing with the idle would cause it to be running rich? I have a dash light that I guess looks like a colleseum (its in the lower right hand section) that randomly comes on and goes off. Does anyone know what this lights mean?

04-27-2008, 11:31 AM	#2 (permalink)
extC young gun Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Oklahoma City Drives: smart Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Running rich/unknown dash light The dash light you described means low engine coolant =) __________________ 1992 3KGT Mods: Maximal Test Pipe, more to come.....

04-27-2008, 12:20 PM	#3 (permalink)
jbavousett 1992 Stealth R/T Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Lubbock TX Drives: N/A Beauty Queen Trader Rating: (1)	Re: Running rich/unknown dash light White smoke is usually coolant in the combustion chamber. That and the coolant light look like a blown head gasket. That would also explain the poor idle. Also, if you have coolant in the chamber, then the fuel smell may be because the mix isn't igniting. __________________

04-27-2008, 07:20 PM	#4 (permalink)
gipper72488 Forum Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: G-town NC Drives: dodge stealth Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Running rich/unknown dash light yeah you need to pressure test your engine to see __________________ I <3 booost 93 sohc-sold 90 gsx-purchased 6/5/08 3 inch turbo back exhaust valve job, ported head MBC set at 14psi

04-27-2008, 08:33 PM	#5 (permalink)
hyperblu Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: Running rich/unknown dash light o2 sensors can also cause drivability issues and irratic air fuel mixture ratios...

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04-28-2008, 04:29 PM	#8 (permalink)
Stealthee Damage Control Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: 1 hr south of Pitt Drives: 1994 Stealth Trader Rating: (76)	Re: Running rich/unknown dash light Just because the coolant is low does not mean its a blown headgasket. My coolant is low right now and my engine is fine. As for the idle issue it sound like the IAC is dirty or faulty. The smoke is most likely valve seals. As for the 02 sensors, I've never personally seen a faulty o2 sensor throw a CEL on a 3s yet. __________________ Kbizzle [11:25 P.M.]: my ass is really sore Kbizzle [11:25 P.M.]: this is most displeasing

04-29-2008, 04:53 AM	#10 (permalink)
Stealthee Damage Control Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: 1 hr south of Pitt Drives: 1994 Stealth Trader Rating: (76)	Re: Running rich/unknown dash light Nah, he'd know if the rings were bad. I would leave smoke screens coming to a stop in my car.