'92 bravada 7 or 8 mpg

I've got a 92 olds bravada with 175000 miles on it 80000 on the motor. when i first bought it 6 months ago it was getting about 14 mpg and idled very smoothly. the idle is now very rough and the pickup and performance have gotten alot worse. it also now runs a code 44 (lean exhaust) when left running at idle for 3-5 minutes. although the code says its running lean the smell of the exhaust says its running rich. does anybody have any ideas as to whats failing????? thanks in advance

also forgot to mention it gives very hard starts occasionally, usually taking anywhere from 2-6 secs to start

come join me in this chat room to discuss this topic. Here is the address.

http://www.chatzy.com/757899427503

You likely have a leaky CPI or the lines inside the intake manifold feeding the CPI are split and spraying gasoline. I fixed both on mine a few years ago. Do you know how to get trouble codes off your Bravada?

yeah i know how to pull trouble codes, i was under the impression that typically with the cpi problems this motor has that it tends to give a code 45 rich exhaust not a code 44

You might try having the fuel pressure tested. The test port is a Schrader Valve with a black cap between the firewall & top rear of the motor/drivers side. Typical spec is 52 to 55 psi.
Vacuum leaks will set that alarm too.