Running too Rich?

itreflop117 · Feb 23, 2012

So today after school I start my car and I never really noticed all the white smoke that comes out as it warms up until my friend told me about it because by the time I'm home it doesn't blow out white smoke it becomes transparent.

So it's about 35-40 degrees outside all day today, and when I started my car I let it warm up so that the engine temperature was between a quarter of the way up before where it should sit at operation.

I revved my engine a little bit so my friend could see what was happening and stuck his hand in my 4inch exhaust a little bit. When I revved it, his hand was dripping with some sort of black liquid and smelled a little like a mixture between gas and oil? It wasn't SOAKING wet, but it was definitely noticeable.

Here's my question:
Am I running way too rich? And how do I resolve his problem? And for the record so you guys know the only engine mods I have are headers (2inch piping), a new catalytic converter, a full catback exhaust (2.5inch piping w/ 4inch tip) and a kiwi style cold air intake but cut halfway so it sits right behind the headlight (2.5inch piping with K&N cone filter).

Any info is greatly appreciated. thanks guys.

Bitter · Feb 24, 2012

sounds normal.

itreflop117 · Feb 24, 2012

alright cool. I'm just concerned with all that black liquid that his hand was dripping with... i guess i'm just a little skeptical with all that white smoke.

Bitter · Feb 24, 2012

Water vapor and carbon from combustion.

aballl18 · Feb 24, 2012

Easy way to verified that you are runing rich is to check the spark plugs if they look black as coal then you are running rich. Rich can be cause by a couple things. Check for leaks before the first 02 sensor if you are leaking at the manifold the sensor is going to think you are running lean and have the pcm bump up the fuel. Also if you just dont know about the spark plugs take a pic and post them on here. Also Check you Pcv valve on top off the valve cover unplug it and place ur hand over the opening on the pcv valve and if is sucks ur thumb to it its good.Also take it off and shake it if it rattles its is good. If this is clogged or stuck this can cause you to burn oil.

Bstylz · Feb 24, 2012

mine blew out white smoke when i installed my catback with exhaust. went away for a few weeks.

itreflop117 · Feb 26, 2012

Alright cool, and just so you guys know it's been about 6 months since all the basic bolt ons have been installed. And just to make sure I'm gonna test to O2 Sensor because I've had a couple people tell me it could be that too. I will also look up on the spark plugs thanks again.

kaitaiya · Mar 1, 2012

stupid question, have you reset your ECU? a friend of mine just did a cat back exhaust on his car and it was running rich. he took out the negative of the battery and let it sit for 5 min then plugged it back in and now it the engine seems to have more power, and the exhaust don't smell like raw fuel coming out. his was a 96 1.6L as well.

also when i swapped in my new blacktop, i had the brilliant idea of cranking the motor to allow the oil to get circulated in the motor. forgetting that the fuel pump would be on and the injectors firing, i unplugged the coil so it wouldn't start. :headbang:

i realized that i probably flooded the engine when i plugged the coil back in and it didn't want to start. when it finally did it blew out wet black soot that was a mix of carbon(probably from my old motor sitting in the header and what not) and gas.

i'd say try resetting the ECU and see if it helps.

Running too Rich?

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