Fox T-Bird/Cougar Forums

Technical => Engine Tech => Topic started by: turbo88 on September 14, 2006, 12:19:34 AM

Title: 2.3TC running rich. . .
Post by: turbo88 on September 14, 2006, 12:19:34 AM
I have run into a few problems with my car lately, it has been running extremely rich and getting very poor gas milledge. . . So i figured it was an oxygen sensor, well i replaced that earlier today start it up and it seems like im down a cylinder and it knocks and shacks and it runs even worse, Not to mention it wont idle worth a shiznit, i replaced the idle controller but i dont have the proper equipment to adjust it accordingly. . . anywho I rev it up a bit play around with the idle sensor for 5 min turn it off go look at the back and theres two 3 foot strips of carbon and fuel that blew out the exhaust all over the driveway, im taking off the plugs and there black and im giving them a clean as i speak, there brand new top of the line plugs. . . anyone have any other suggestions as to what my problem may be? i know a lot of you guys have TC's on here or know plenty about them like Garrett, Shawn and Chuck so im hoping for some answers. . .

UPDATE: took plugs out they were all black, it seems when it idles it builds up carbon, than when u rev it to 3-4 grand in idle it blows it out and runs clean for a bit. . . i really should get that idle postion sensor working correctly i guess huh?
Title: 2.3TC running rich. . .
Post by: ipsd on September 14, 2006, 01:22:26 AM
Idle position sensor? Idle air controller. eazy to setup bolt it on and your ready to go. Then pull the plug and set your base idle to about 750 RPM. double check the fuel pressure regulator hose and see if there is any fuel in it or smells like fuel real bad. That would mean that the fpr has a hole in it. Also might be the temp sensor in the lower intake between 2-3 runners.
Title: 2.3TC running rich. . .
Post by: turbo88 on September 14, 2006, 01:38:24 AM
Quote from: ipsd;103881
Idle position sensor? Idle air controller. eazy to setup bolt it on and your ready to go. Then pull the plug and set your base idle to about 750 RPM. double check the fuel pressure regulator hose and see if there is any fuel in it or smells like fuel real bad. That would mean that the fpr has a hole in it. Also might be the temp sensor in the lower intake between 2-3 runners.


I was under the assumption that you had to use some sort of gadget like a voltage regulator to set it up or something, you are aware that my TC is VAM and not mass air correct?
Title: 2.3TC running rich. . .
Post by: ipsd on September 14, 2006, 01:52:56 AM
You use a multi meter to setup you throttle position sensor. make sure you set the TPS after you set the base idle. also maybe you threw a cam follower. It has happend to me. Lots of black smoke and ran like shiznit.
Title: 2.3TC running rich. . .
Post by: turbo88 on September 14, 2006, 01:55:44 AM
Quote from: ipsd;103885
You use a multi meter to setup you throttle position sensor. make sure you set the TPS after you set the base idle. also maybe you threw a cam follower. It has happend to me. Lots of black smoke and ran like shiznit.


The idle snesor is off a 87 TC and spent 1 year in it, could that make a difference? im just throwing it out there, and about that cam follower, the car runs fine i just took it for a blast up and down the freeway, it just idles like complete , and smells like fuel. . .
Title: 2.3TC running rich. . .
Post by: stuntmannick on September 14, 2006, 02:41:41 AM
Definitley check the fuel pressure.  You could also check for codes.
Title: 2.3TC running rich. . .
Post by: 88turbo on September 14, 2006, 05:18:48 AM
get a multi-meter and dial in your tps,  set it at about .97 volts this was the problem that I was having with my TC
Title: 2.3TC running rich. . .
Post by: ipsd on September 14, 2006, 09:49:29 AM
The IAC off just about any ford car would work.
Title: 2.3TC running rich. . .
Post by: daboss351 on September 14, 2006, 03:03:03 PM
deff check the fpr my dads old blacxk 88 t/c that im parting out now is doing the same thing runs bad, and WAY to rich the plugs were all black as hell so id start there.
Title: 2.3TC running rich. . .
Post by: Tbird232ci on September 14, 2006, 06:22:41 PM
Pull the vacume line off of the fuel pressure regulator, and see if there is the smell of gas in it, if not, start it with the line off, and see what happens.
Title: 2.3TC running rich. . .
Post by: turbo88 on September 14, 2006, 07:27:03 PM
Quote from: Tbird232ci;103977
Pull the vacume line off of the fuel pressure regulator, and see if there is the smell of gas in it, if not, start it with the line off, and see what happens.
tried it, still runs like complete , no smell of gas was in it and i tried starting it with the line off. I also tried replacing the IAC ( Idle Air Control) and it still sputters, coughs and runs rich.
Title: 2.3TC running rich. . .
Post by: 88turbo on September 14, 2006, 09:43:15 PM
check your distributor cap make sure the connections are clean and not corroded
Title: 2.3TC running rich. . .
Post by: turbo88 on September 19, 2006, 11:52:23 PM
Found the problem, it was the VAM sensor, cleaned it up and bought a 6" K&N cone for it, and i noticed a big!!! differeance in low gear compared to the restrictive system it had before, Does the K&N cone actually add a little more power compared to the stock setup?