Engine runs RICH ( Wish I was)

[stvwood]

I need spacific help asap to get mine to pass the GA emmissions inspection

I have a 1993 SL2 DOHC 5 speed. The orig engine lost the timing chain and I had someone swap out the engine. I do NOT know what year model it is. The guy who did the work has vanished for the earth it would seem.

The engine starts easy, seems to idle fine. If you accelerate kind of hard, there is a LOT of black smoke form the exhaust. There is the strong smell of gas as it idles. When driving, it lacks power and when you reach the "Time to shift gears or crusing range where it is not accelerating or decaccreating" it misses. This can be simulated by reving up the engine and holding it steady. ( this is basicly what they do during the inspection but with it pulling)

I have replaced the Air filter, plugs, the wires, the fuel filter, and the ETCA (engine temp control Asm I think it is called). If left ideling for 5 min or so, the SES light will come on. Shut off the engine and restart and it goes out.

As with most people, I am just a poor guy (and old too! ) I would appreciatte any and all help!

[peppermrj]

What codes are you getting?

[stvwood]

I stopped at AutoZone and Advanced Auto Parts here and was told that their readers would not work on a car as old as mine I will try to get somewhere that can tell me! I think that the code will help and I will post as soon as I find a place that will read it for me. Thanks!

stvwood

[peppermrj]

You can retrieve them yourself with just a paperclip. Follow the instructions included within the first link.

3 very good links.
http://www.differentracing.com/tech_...diag_info.html
http://www.differentracing.com/tech_...dtc_chart.html
http://www.differentracing.com/tech_...ttc_chart.html

[saturnspeed_12]

ECTA, are you talking about electronic coolant temperature sensor? thats where you would find major rich condition is from that thing. on your year model, there would be 2 one for gauge and one for the pcm. one is right on top of the other and i dont remember which is which. pretty much anytime the car runs rich, its because of the ects. but just changing the sensor may not be all thats needed, the connector may need replaced.

[sickcallawayc12]

what plugs did you use? also make sure there's no oil in the spark plug wells (particurally number 1).

[stvwood]

Sorry I too so long to reply. Was u to me eyeballs in gators. I installed AC Platumn. Have checked the plug wells and they are clean. The error code is 26 That covers a large area from what I have been able to read. Still have no idea what to look at or replace..

[saturnspeed_12]

ok heres a link for you to check out. dtc 26 is pretty lengthy, quad driver output fault. so no other codes, this was it? well the link should help you.

http://www.sixthsphere.com/obd1/code26.html

[sickcallawayc12]

Originally Posted by stvwood

Sorry I too so long to reply. Was u to me eyeballs in gators. I installed AC Platumn. Have checked the plug wells and they are clean. The error code is 26 That covers a large area from what I have been able to read. Still have no idea what to look at or replace..

you are NOT supposed to be using platinum plugs in your saturn. Repeat, you are NOT supposed to be using platinum plugs in your saturn. Why? Platinum plugs need to be fired a different way than the saturn ignition system fires (it's opposite). Go to your local parts shop and ask for plugs for your particular car that ARE NOT platinum (NGK is best or REGULAR AC Delcos). See if any of the problems go away after that.

[stvwood]

Ok..I changed them and it still runs just as it did..HOWEVER!!!!! I read the code today after I reset it and now I get a 44. (Lean Mixture) on the oxygen sensor. If the PMC thinks it is lean, would it not increase the amount of gas? Or am I rationalizing to much?

Stvwood

[peppermrj]

Lean Oxygen Sensor Signal
The oxygen sensor (O2S) consists of a zirconia electrolyte between two platinum plates. When
the sensor reaches approximately 318ºC (600ºF) it becomes an electrical source that responds
to the oxygen content in the exhaust. The PCM produces a bias voltage of approximately 450
millivolts on the oxygen sensor circuit. When the sensor is cold its internal resistance is
extremely high, therefore the PCM recognizes the bias as an open circuit. As the sensor warms
up, the internal resistance decreases. When the sensor reaches approximately 318ºC (600ºF),
it starts producing a voltage based on the oxygen content in the exhaust system. This voltage
is used by the PCM to determine a rich or lean oxygen sensor signal and adjusts the fuel
mixture accordingly


Diagnostic Trouble Code parameters:
DTC 44 will set if:

The system is in closed loop mode.
Oxygen sensor is less than 300 mV for more than three minutes.
Diagnostic trouble codes 33 - 34 not present.

I'd say your O2 needs to be replaced. Your assumption is correct. That is the only purpose of the O2. When the system is in closed loop the PCM regulates the air fuel ratio based on the input from the O2. Double check the connection first.

[saturnspeed_12]

oh yeah and about the platinum plugs, there are no issues running platinum plugs. guys say they suck, bad gas mileage and performance, but they are buying junk plugs. ive tested plugs in my saturn, and no platinums have been an issue. ive even ran the very scary splitfire triple platinums with actually some great success. only issue with those plugs was the gap would spread.

platinums are not an issue in a saturn, nore are they an issue with the firing. people just buy junk and assume or blame it on the plugs when its something else.

[sickcallawayc12]

Originally Posted by saturnspeed_12

oh yeah and about the platinum plugs, there are no issues running platinum plugs. guys say they suck, bad gas mileage and performance, but they are buying junk plugs. ive tested plugs in my saturn, and no platinums have been an issue. ive even ran the very scary splitfire triple platinums with actually some great success. only issue with those plugs was the gap would spread.

platinums are not an issue in a saturn, nore are they an issue with the firing. people just buy junk and assume or blame it on the plugs when its something else.

I disagree. Saturns weren't designed (and i hear most GM cars & trucks) to use platinum plugs. yes, they will fire and only a few people (key word few) have said they haven't had problems. I'm happy that platinums are running great (i hear the Denso plugs you haven't tested work good too) for ya but they cause problems in most cases so why bother with the possible trouble?

[saturnspeed_12]

well typically all vehicles from like 94-on, cant remember when they changed, use platinums or iridium plugs. my car runs perfectly fine off of platinums, my moms olds runs fine off of platinums and iridiums, and every other gm car ive dealt with has run fine on platinums. gms dont have issues with platinums.

the problem is buying junk platinum plugs. bosch are the worst of all. ive worked in a garage and have put platinums in several gm cars, either autolite or ac delco, and not one of them has ever had an issue. depends on what you buy and if someone possibly dropped the plug and maybe damaged it.

[sickcallawayc12]

Originally Posted by saturnspeed_12

well typically all vehicles from like 94-on, cant remember when they changed, use platinums or iridium plugs. my car runs perfectly fine off of platinums, my moms olds runs fine off of platinums and iridiums, and every other gm car ive dealt with has run fine on platinums. gms dont have issues with platinums.

the problem is buying junk platinum plugs. bosch are the worst of all. ive worked in a garage and have put platinums in several gm cars, either autolite or ac delco, and not one of them has ever had an issue. depends on what you buy and if someone possibly dropped the plug and maybe damaged it.

Platinum plugs aren't junk, they just weren't meant for our cars. I think there's too many cases that's happened already to say it's bad plugs. it doesn't mean they won't work every single time as you have stated as well as other sucessful stories, but, for the most part, they cause problems for saturns and it's only logical to stay away from the possible heartache and saving a few bucks while you're at it.