P0171 Code, Not 02 Sensor

[Blue Bowtie]

This is not necessarily relevant to the lean problem, but just a general comment based upon your last statement. You mentioned that you have "a full tank of quality gas, with a $12 techron, and some Heet added."

Chevron Techron is among the better in-tank injector cleaners you will find, so that was a good choice.

However, using "HEET" in your fuel might not be helping, and actually might be doing damage. DeMert's HEET used to be nothing but methyl alcohol (methanol). Like most alcohols, it has an affinity for water, and will help keep it from freezing. However, methanol also creates a mildly corrosive acid when mixed with water, and that can be very hard on fuel pumps, pressure regulators, and injectors. Ethanol and isopropyl alcohols do not exhibit the same tendencies, or certainly not to the same degree as methanol. DeMert may have reformulated their product now that most vehicles have EFI systems, or maybe not. You might want to read the bottle to be certain.

What is worse is that you might be wasting your money by adding any alcohol to prevent freezing. Most areas of the country are now using 10% ethanol blended fuels. That means that the full 16 gallon tank of fuel you have already includes over 1½ gallons of alcohol, which is WAY more than the 6-8 ounces you are adding with a bottle of HEET. You'd have to dump in 24 bottles of HEET to equal what is already in the fuel, which would not only get expensive, but would be a complete waste of time. Save your money, and use $3/gallon ethanol blend rather than $16/gallon for HEET.

[Mickey#1]

I wanted you to check for spark because it's no longer starting, not because of the lean code.
You can check for fuel injector pulse with a #194 light bulb. Just straighten the wires from the base of the bulb & slip it into one of the fuel injector wires. Watch for the bulb to pulse while someone cranks over the engine.

[happydog500]

Thank you for all the replys.

I put the Heet in because when it was sputtering a macanic told me it might be water in the gas (and could be freezing). It got down to single digits for a while.

Someone else told me about the alcohol added to the gas. I checked at one station and they did not have it added. It may be at another I go to but haven't checked since I don't have a running car.

It was something I did just to eliminate water being in the gas, and to be able to ask him more when it didn't work.

I will keep searching for someone with a gage and post back. If anyone else has ideas, keep replys coming.
Thank you,
Chris.

[happydog500]

After walking for a couple weeks, I went out to try and start the car. After a few trys, it started. I drove it to a friends house. When I left, it took a few trys but started. I made it home fine.

Someone told me, usually, a fuel pump works or it doesn't. They don't work intermittently.

Anyone have experience with this?