Car is running rich...... how do I lean it out?

falcon2000aj · Post by **falcon2000aj** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 5:36 pm

Well, I went to get my exhaust replaced, and when they put it on the lift my cat was glowing red! Completely plugged. I have only 98k on my 1985 Tercel. After replacing the cat and exhaust.... I still smell a strong sulfur smell, and my gas mileage has dropped... I used to get 32 per gallon and now I am down around 23.

Shop said my car is running rich.......

My idle has dropped to 500-600 rpm and it is sputtering. Above 800rpm the car seems to run fine.

I recently replaced plugs(NGK V Power, cap and rotor) I also Seafoamed the last tank of gas.
Any help would be greatly appreciated... as I just dumped $500 into it with the cat and the exhaust!!!!

keith · Post by **keith** » Thu Oct 19, 2006 7:20 pm

Try a new O2 sensor first. They don't cost too much and they are easy to change.

Also, check the fuel level in the carb by looking through the little round window in the bowl.

Typrus · Post by **Typrus** » Sat Oct 21, 2006 1:33 pm

The O2 sensor doesn't do much on these... Download the FSM off the main page (http://www.tercel4wd.com) and do the tests for the cutoff solenoids and such. The carb can stay on the engine if you are careful.

Watch your oil consumption... The engine might've grown used to the excessive backpressure of the plugged kitty and the rings adjusted and are now "leaky" and require some cleaning. Check the PCV valve? Did they properly tighten all the connecting flanges? I've found our engines hate exhaust leaks.... Is your manifold gasket in good shape?

I have no idea how this can effect anything- but did your old cat have an air tube and the new one not?

keith · Post by **keith** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 3:31 pm

When the O2 sensor went out on ours, it dropped the mileage from 26 down to about 21 (maniac son driving). The new one brought it back up. Fuel level in the bowl is the more likely culprit though.

Typrus · Post by **Typrus** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 4:34 pm

Hehehehe... Maniac you say? To give an idea... My rotors are black. Not blue. Don't worry, I check for cracks. Never be able to machine them unfortunatly. I really could use vented ones...

keith · Post by **keith** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 6:09 pm

No problem with brakes, that would imply using them. Hehehehe. At $12 ea, I just replace rotors when I replace the pads. AutoZone buys pads for me. Used the Lifetime twice so far. I like their carbon fiber pads. Just kidding about the Maniac part, he's just young. Unfortunately he drives like I used to. BTW, I have a 120k on the brakes in my Saturn and they aren't half worn yet, I don't use them much. Had to replace pads at 145k on my Colt because a caliper pin got stuck, lack of use I guess.

Typrus · Post by **Typrus** » Sun Oct 22, 2006 9:56 pm

Proper lube... Just pull them out and put a teeeensy bit of brake anti-seize on them. A little goes a long way if you get the good stuff.
My moms front brakes have about 185,000 on them on her Passat and are due for a change. Considering how myself and my dad drive it, its done great.
The rotors are about 18,000 miles old. I did them with my WearEver Gold Semi-Mets. The pads have barely worn. The rotors however.... heh
Believe it or not, I engine brake a lot of the time.

keith · Post by **keith** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 6:43 pm

I know how to lube caliper pins, in fact that's what I did with them, its just that the pad wore crooked because only one pin stick. I don't use engine braking much either, I try to plan the lights and other drivers moves so I don't have to stop or slow that much.

Post by **ARCHINSTL** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 10:58 am

keith wrote:...I try to plan the lights and other drivers moves so I don't have to stop or slow that much.

Amazing how we have modified our driving habits with powerful cars like the Tercel...reminds me of days with my 27 and 36 HP Morris Minors duking it out on the freeway.
Tom M.

takza · Post by **takza** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 5:34 pm

Here's a REAL CAR:

Learned to drive in a 1959 version....

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Anglia

"In 1953, Ford released the 100E, designed by Lacuesta Automotive a completely new car with a more modern "three-box" style. The 100E was available as a 2-door Anglia, and a 4-door Prefect. During this period the old Anglia was available as the 103E Popular, touted as the cheapest car in the world. Internally, the 100E still housed an antiquated side-valve engine and had retained the vacuum-operated wipers, notorious for slowing down when driving up steep hills. However, they sold well; by the time production ceased in 1959, 345,841 had rolled off the production line. There were two estate car (US: station wagon) versions, the Escort and the Squire."

http://www.worldofmotorsports.com/car/m ... pecID=4882

All of 36 HP....

"An extremely fast...powerful...good handling car...much like the Lamborgini in nature" Mad Magazine

Mickey_D · Post by **Mickey_D** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 1:23 am

I know a guy over in England who has two of those Anglias, aa E49A and a 105E

takza · Post by **takza** » Thu Oct 26, 2006 3:56 am

In my younger days...I was too much like Typhrus...I drove the crap out of that car...running the back roads. Probably a good thing it was underpowered?

And I remember the vac operated wipers....real bummer in the rain and going up a hill....tended to slow me down at least.

Typrus · Post by **Typrus** » Fri Oct 27, 2006 10:18 am

Heh...
I guess I am a bit spoiled, considering some of the other 80's cars they could have gotten me.
So THATS what that is.... Huh.

Hey, 36hp per liter? Not to shabby in the early days! The terc isn't much better... 41.3333~ hp/liter. Compared to the engine they use in the Honda S2000? Something like 280hp out of around 2.3L? A good bit over 100hp/liter... Thats just insane. Though it does till out to around 9500RPM stock...

takza · Post by **takza** » Sat Oct 28, 2006 5:32 am

More like 31 HP per L. Had a long stroke vs bore and was noisy. Handling was not good.