I've been trying to track down a running rich issue for a while now. Started when my collector bolts pretty much came off and the o2 sensor was getting plenty of outside air. Fixed that, replaced the O2 sensor which was heavily fouled with carbon. Better, but still running rich. Exhaust popping, occasional backfire, smell of gas, no power, and my mileage has gone from bad to incredibly bad. I've dialed the FiTech down as lean as I can, still having the symptoms.
Pulled the plugs this morning, and it looks like they are all pretty fouled (I pulled #2, #3, #5, and #7), they all look about the same. So here's my question: Should I replace the plugs before I continue, hoping maybe that is the cause of the issue? If I do, I risk fouling the new ones. But if I leave them in and continue to look for the problem, I may be chasing an issue that doesn't exist. Just for reference, everything was running good prior to the exhaust leak. I only leaned out the fuel on the drive home, didn't touch the timing or any other parameters on the FITech. The learning has all been cleared out since fixing the exhaust. The only thing it can be is an air or fuel problem. I am having trouble keeping the IAC steps where they need to be, my next order of business will be checking for a vacuum leak. Nothing obvious, but I need to check the gaskets and make sure the PCV is working correctly.
So, replace plugs first, and move on from there, or leave the fouled plugs in?
Pulled the plugs this morning, and it looks like they are all pretty fouled (I pulled #2, #3, #5, and #7), they all look about the same. So here's my question: Should I replace the plugs before I continue, hoping maybe that is the cause of the issue? If I do, I risk fouling the new ones. But if I leave them in and continue to look for the problem, I may be chasing an issue that doesn't exist. Just for reference, everything was running good prior to the exhaust leak. I only leaned out the fuel on the drive home, didn't touch the timing or any other parameters on the FITech. The learning has all been cleared out since fixing the exhaust. The only thing it can be is an air or fuel problem. I am having trouble keeping the IAC steps where they need to be, my next order of business will be checking for a vacuum leak. Nothing obvious, but I need to check the gaskets and make sure the PCV is working correctly.
So, replace plugs first, and move on from there, or leave the fouled plugs in?
