An Old Timer Needs Some Help
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From: Washington State
An Old Timer Needs Some Help
I haven't driven my car for the last twelve month because I couldn't get it inspected which meant no registration. So it has been in the garage with an occasional slow drive down my driveway to circulate fluids. The last time I did drive it last September (2007) on the way home it developed a problem. The drive started out fine but about 10 miles from home the car started stumbling and wouldn't make any power. Whenever the engine went out of a high vacuum area of operation More than -4 in-HG) it would go extreemley lean (1.7 lambda). I was able to limp home at about 15 mph.
Since this year is an even one, no inspection is required, and the car is registered again. But the problem persists. I've checked everything I can think of related to vacuum; I've changed the MAP, fuel pump and fuel pressure regulator, but all to no avail. The car starts fine, idles fine and revs fine in neutral. But as soon as the engine is loaded, it goes way lean and stumbles. Anyone have any suggestions as to what else to look for?
Since this year is an even one, no inspection is required, and the car is registered again. But the problem persists. I've checked everything I can think of related to vacuum; I've changed the MAP, fuel pump and fuel pressure regulator, but all to no avail. The car starts fine, idles fine and revs fine in neutral. But as soon as the engine is loaded, it goes way lean and stumbles. Anyone have any suggestions as to what else to look for?
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From: Lafayette, LA
So many variables, especially with your totally custom setup, that it's hard to start. 1.7 lambda = 25:1 a/f ratio! Is that right? Do you trust that O2 sensor reading? Is the gasoline in your tank a year old? Did you put fuel stabilizer in it? So much for the easy stuff.
After sitting for a year, I would imagine the mechanical parts might get rusty/sticky from lack of use. Injectors, WG, BOV, FPR, ITB/TPS linkages seem more likely to cause trouble than electrical/electronic stuff. Course I've seen rats eat wires on vehicles that sat up for a while. I once had to replace a fuel pump relay because it was full of ants. I went offshore for a week, parked in a field, and ants LOVE the sweet shellac or varnish coating on the coil wire. Must have been hundreds of them in that relay!
I imagine you will need to log everything in EMS to get a handle on this. Good luck and glad to see you once again posting on the forums. Even if it's for a headache like this. I really am awed by your engine setup, BTW.
After sitting for a year, I would imagine the mechanical parts might get rusty/sticky from lack of use. Injectors, WG, BOV, FPR, ITB/TPS linkages seem more likely to cause trouble than electrical/electronic stuff. Course I've seen rats eat wires on vehicles that sat up for a while. I once had to replace a fuel pump relay because it was full of ants. I went offshore for a week, parked in a field, and ants LOVE the sweet shellac or varnish coating on the coil wire. Must have been hundreds of them in that relay!
I imagine you will need to log everything in EMS to get a handle on this. Good luck and glad to see you once again posting on the forums. Even if it's for a headache like this. I really am awed by your engine setup, BTW.
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From: Washington State
Originally Posted by snakeeater,Oct 7 2008, 06:42 PM
So many variables, especially with your totally custom setup, that it's hard to start. 1.7 lambda = 25:1 a/f ratio! Is that right? Do you trust that O2 sensor reading? Is the gasoline in your tank a year old? Did you put fuel stabilizer in it? So much for the easy stuff.
After sitting for a year, I would imagine the mechanical parts might get rusty/sticky from lack of use. Injectors, WG, BOV, FPR, ITB/TPS linkages seem more likely to cause trouble than electrical/electronic stuff. Course I've seen rats eat wires on vehicles that sat up for a while. I once had to replace a fuel pump relay because it was full of ants. I went offshore for a week, parked in a field, and ants LOVE the sweet shellac or varnish coating on the coil wire. Must have been hundreds of them in that relay!
I imagine you will need to log everything in EMS to get a handle on this. Good luck and glad to see you once again posting on the forums. Even if it's for a headache like this. I really am awed by your engine setup, BTW.
After sitting for a year, I would imagine the mechanical parts might get rusty/sticky from lack of use. Injectors, WG, BOV, FPR, ITB/TPS linkages seem more likely to cause trouble than electrical/electronic stuff. Course I've seen rats eat wires on vehicles that sat up for a while. I once had to replace a fuel pump relay because it was full of ants. I went offshore for a week, parked in a field, and ants LOVE the sweet shellac or varnish coating on the coil wire. Must have been hundreds of them in that relay!
I imagine you will need to log everything in EMS to get a handle on this. Good luck and glad to see you once again posting on the forums. Even if it's for a headache like this. I really am awed by your engine setup, BTW.
