95 Camaro runs too rich

[CamaroKate]

95 Camaro V6 3.4L engine had top end rebuilt, fuel injection system taken apart & pressure cleaned,
new O2 senser, complete tuneup/dialed in, new catalitic converter/muffler & new ignition switch.
Runs smooth but engine light stays on, gas smell & smoke from tailpipe - getting 15 mpg.
Diag test says = *no historical codes - egr solenoid - antitheft*.
Still Mechanic says he's not sure whats wrong. It has to pass smog this week! ANY IDEAS???

[97cavalier]

try to adjust and check the fuel preshure.

[malletslinger]

What color is the smoke?
Does car burn oil?
Have you replaced the PCV valve?
Have you checked the cap, rotor, and timing?
Have you checked the spark plugs?

[CamaroKate]

Light grey smoke at idle from Cat. Conv. burning excess gas, doesn't burn oil.
Dark smoke when driving.
PCV Valve & Spark Plugs are new. Cap & Rotor checked out OK when tuned up.
I have to ask about timing, Camaro starts easy & idles/runs good.

[malletslinger]

Have you changed the charcoal canister filter(EECS filter)?
Timing could be slightly off.
Double check PCV valve.
Check knock sensor.
Check fuel injector pressure regulator.

[Tuffdrvr88]

Just throwin this out there, are you sure you only have one o2 sensor?

[CamaroKate]

Got it out of the shop today, still not right.
The mechanic couldn't figure it out so he sent it to a smog & repair shop.
They made some adjustments & said the EGR fails sometimes.
It use to smoke constantly, NOW its a few seconds at a time -
3 to 4 times a mile when I followed it today.

I got a 30 day smog ext. today but this need to be fixed before it ruins the new cat. conv.
Can a bad EGR actually make it to leak gas like this or is it something else?

[wrightz28]

Originally Posted by CamaroKate

They made some adjustments & said the EGR fails sometimes.

Can a bad EGR actually make it to leak gas like this or is it something else?

Camarokate, don't take me wrong, it's not against you, just the moron antics of this "shop" are absurd. That said:


Who owns this shop, Mickey Mouse and Dumbo?

Pure and simply, a failure is a failure. A failure of any emissions control compenent is THE REASON THE FREAKING LIGHT IS ON!

Either the EGR is clogged and needs cleaning or replaced, or there is a failure in the control circuit for the EGR. it's right there in plan sight nothing blocking it, what does it hurt to take off and examine?

Any "competant" technican/mechanic who is able to stop dragging his knuckles on the ground should know that what a live data stream cannot find an oscillisope or 5 gas analyzer will.

The engine light comes on when the engine control module (ECM) detects and knows the vehicle is exceeding it's factory emissions standards, that's all it does, it's not there to say "hey there is a squirrel in the engine bay, CHECK ENGINE owner!".

If the ECM is not readily pointing them (which I find hard to believe) in the right direction, the scope (old school, but still the best) or gas anaylizer will.

[CamaroKate]

I hear ya, these guys have given me the run around for way too long. I dont really think they did anything significant to it anyway, yet they said it was fixed.

Oh they're not stupid, they wont do anything they won't get paid for. My car sat there for 6 days this time before they even looked at it & only because I got into a scream fest with the owner! I've had it with them!!! I sure got fast service while they were draining my bank account!

They got $6000 out of me last year and nearly everything still has problems (they try to convince me its all in my mind) & they refuse to look the car over because they'll have to do FREE warranty work. They just say they cant find anything wrong and ignore me. They also never put the warranty in writing so I can't go after them either. So basically I flushed all the $. Besides EGR/gas problem I'll will have to have the motor checked to find the seal thats leaking water since they rebuilt it. I need the whole new front end checked out because it pops & cracks going through dips, has a 50 mph shimmy & skips when backing up if the wheel is turned right - all this since they put it in. Also need the right rear strut looked at because gives out when I pull in a driveway since they put it in. (they put in all 4)

I need to find another mechanic, but cant find a honest one to save my life! It just doesn't pay to be female, I'm at the mercy of the shops!
Only had 1 truly honest mechanic who told me all the stuff a shop here in California said needed repair was a total lie! The CA shop gave me a fix it bill list for $2300.
He said "I messed with a few thangs but dudnt need nuthin, just give me $47 & it should last awhile". I nearly fainted & that car never ran better. That was 5 years ago & its still going. Too bad he's in KY!

[wrightz28]

Does this shop display any ASE credentials? If so you have a case. At any cost contacting your local BBB (better business bureau) is in order.

To find a shop, you need to shop. Also when something is wrong, get several opinions. And ONLY go to shops that display the ASE logo. And before any technician touches your car, you may ask to see his certification(s) card. Every ASE certified technician is required to renew his or her certification in a particular service practice every 5 years. they are tough regulated tests to make sure that A - they know what the hell they are doing, and B have kept up with the recent technological changes. On the flip slide, any dipshit can get a hold of or have a fake patch made, but it's the certifications card that matters.

These other dip-twads need a bill of their own, a legal bill. I'm not of the suing type but that is just an insult to an industry that already has enough issues. Especialy since your in CA, the most emissions strict state in the country.

Nascar.com offers a link to ASE certifed shops. The actual ASE is a little complicated to navigate but if you're up to it, that's the way to go, I think it even gives links to the BBB.

[CamaroKate]

I've never seen any type of certification anywhere in the shop. It doesn't even have a name. The Bureau of Automotive Repair says I can't prove he has to repair without written warranties. I cant prove I've been there trying to resolve the problems because he never gave me service receipts. Even the reciepts for work I paid for belonged to the previous shop owner and he black marked out the old name. But now that you mention it, maybe a license check will get the Bureau to at least look at it. I never thought about it. I just want him to fix what he should have all along instead of taking the $ & leaving me with a car I'm afraid to drive. I'll check out that link, hopefully I can figure it out. Thanks for the info!

[wrightz28]

Well, Caveat Emptor

buyer beware.

[malletslinger]

Maybe you should try going to AAMCO, they do more than just trannys.
They have a advertisement deal with 97.1 ("FREE FM") If you go there and say that you heard about them by listening to 97.1(free fm), they will look at your car and diagnose the problem for free!!!...thats what the commercial says so atleast you will know what the problem is for free...
I looked on their web site and found that there is one at 519 S Brookhurst Street, Anaheim, CA 92804 so they are pretty close to you.
Their number is 714-635-0860
Ive never gone to AAMCO, but I trust Tom Leykis

[CamaroKate]

You just sent shivers of horror down my husbands spine!
He had a really bad experience with AAMCO & wont go there again.
Any ideas are worth looking into, thanks for trying.

[malletslinger]

Sorry about that
But there must be atleast one shop in your area that can be trusted...you only need one good shop...