Running Rich
#1
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Running Rich
In the past year or so, my car has been running really poorly. I have taken it in to the dealer and some local import specialists however they all say the same thing, "no code, so we can't really troubleshoot what we don't have a diagnosis on". Gone are the days of mechanics that can troubleshoot a motor free from computer software etc.
Long and short is this:
'04 S4, 4.2 liter etc. etc.
Mods to engine include: cold air intake and AWE cat backs and DP's
So, I suspected that the car was running rich for some time now and kept wondering why and noticed that the exhaust note changed over the prior several months. Just sounded "rougher", certainly the engine seems to struggle more and runs pretty rough all around. Again, the mechanics say no missing etc. as nothing showing up on computer.
After replacing plugs, coil packs, 02 sensors I went to what I felt was the last place, the catalytic converters. I actually ordered bran new AWE dp's with cats in them from AWE direct. Initially, the exhaust note changed and teh car seemed to run better. GEt this, upon visual inspection of the cats, the packing in the cats is fried adn the cats were burned up. So, I'm guessing my suspecion is currect of a car running rich as the excess fuel appears to be burning up in the cats hence the fried packing.
Now, I'm back to a car running roughly and I suspect another set of cats are on their way out.
I love this car but want to get her running smoothly again. Any help is GREATLY appreciated!
Long and short is this:
'04 S4, 4.2 liter etc. etc.
Mods to engine include: cold air intake and AWE cat backs and DP's
So, I suspected that the car was running rich for some time now and kept wondering why and noticed that the exhaust note changed over the prior several months. Just sounded "rougher", certainly the engine seems to struggle more and runs pretty rough all around. Again, the mechanics say no missing etc. as nothing showing up on computer.
After replacing plugs, coil packs, 02 sensors I went to what I felt was the last place, the catalytic converters. I actually ordered bran new AWE dp's with cats in them from AWE direct. Initially, the exhaust note changed and teh car seemed to run better. GEt this, upon visual inspection of the cats, the packing in the cats is fried adn the cats were burned up. So, I'm guessing my suspecion is currect of a car running rich as the excess fuel appears to be burning up in the cats hence the fried packing.
Now, I'm back to a car running roughly and I suspect another set of cats are on their way out.
I love this car but want to get her running smoothly again. Any help is GREATLY appreciated!
#2
Jim VP
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Colorado Springs CO
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Don't know the milage but I'd check the MAF, especially since you have an cold air intake. Heard that some oil can get to the MAF and cause problems when using a cone filter. Take it apart and clean and put the stock filter on and see what happens.
#3
running rich
In the past year or so, my car has been running really poorly. I have taken it in to the dealer and some local import specialists however they all say the same thing, "no code, so we can't really troubleshoot what we don't have a diagnosis on". Gone are the days of mechanics that can troubleshoot a motor free from computer software etc.
Long and short is this:
'04 S4, 4.2 liter etc. etc.
Mods to engine include: cold air intake and AWE cat backs and DP's
So, I suspected that the car was running rich for some time now and kept wondering why and noticed that the exhaust note changed over the prior several months. Just sounded "rougher", certainly the engine seems to struggle more and runs pretty rough all around. Again, the mechanics say no missing etc. as nothing showing up on computer.
After replacing plugs, coil packs, 02 sensors I went to what I felt was the last place, the catalytic converters. I actually ordered bran new AWE dp's with cats in them from AWE direct. Initially, the exhaust note changed and teh car seemed to run better. GEt this, upon visual inspection of the cats, the packing in the cats is fried adn the cats were burned up. So, I'm guessing my suspecion is currect of a car running rich as the excess fuel appears to be burning up in the cats hence the fried packing.
Now, I'm back to a car running roughly and I suspect another set of cats are on their way out.
I love this car but want to get her running smoothly again. Any help is GREATLY appreciated!
Long and short is this:
'04 S4, 4.2 liter etc. etc.
Mods to engine include: cold air intake and AWE cat backs and DP's
So, I suspected that the car was running rich for some time now and kept wondering why and noticed that the exhaust note changed over the prior several months. Just sounded "rougher", certainly the engine seems to struggle more and runs pretty rough all around. Again, the mechanics say no missing etc. as nothing showing up on computer.
After replacing plugs, coil packs, 02 sensors I went to what I felt was the last place, the catalytic converters. I actually ordered bran new AWE dp's with cats in them from AWE direct. Initially, the exhaust note changed and teh car seemed to run better. GEt this, upon visual inspection of the cats, the packing in the cats is fried adn the cats were burned up. So, I'm guessing my suspecion is currect of a car running rich as the excess fuel appears to be burning up in the cats hence the fried packing.
Now, I'm back to a car running roughly and I suspect another set of cats are on their way out.
I love this car but want to get her running smoothly again. Any help is GREATLY appreciated!
However tell your mechanics to get a reading on channel 32 for idle and part throttle and you will see where the mixture is
the ecm has the ability to record the long term running condition of the engine
definitely remove the intake thing, they usually damage the air flow meter
if you have more than 50k miles replace the maf
don't forget the cats are cover by emissions warranty
hope this helps
#4
One more thing... I have a 4.2 that was running bad with no fault codes also. Turned out that the shafts for the variable intake manifold were stuck. Mechanics unjammed it all and its been awesome since.
#5
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I wil check that out, thanks for the insight on this. I've also checked out/replaced the MAS and no change. So, on to the next step, I hit the dealer this Wednesday and asked that they put the best tech they have on the car, we shall see.
#6
What did the tech say about your car?
TIA
#7
definitely do not oil the intake (i.e. very very little oil). oil will will seep through and gum up the heater, wires, etc. which will in turn cause an improper signal to be sent to the ECU.
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