[Shotimes] Help with lean condition

[James White]

I passed my '93mtx a few years ago by adding a bunch of ethanol. 
Had to add 3 gallons of pure ethanol from Menards, but it passed.
Now they have E85 for less money.  I added about 5 gallons to a 
half of a tank of regular gas.  2 years later, it wouldn't pass with 
the above magic, so I had to buy a new y-pipe.

Wonder if methanol might work better?

regards, Jim White - greensho@crown.net


At Sunday, 10 September 2006, "Mark Helpinstill" <mhelpinstill@patmedia.
net> wrote:

>Kris and George,
>
>Thanks for the suggestions.
>
>Definitely cleared the codes each time.
>
>Checked Bosch part #s online and at the store - seems to be correct.
>
>Not willing to spend $500 on new cats.
>
>Looked for vacuum leaks again today and found nothing.
>
>Looks like I will be pulling the spout connector and hoping for 
the best.
>
>Thanks
>Mark
>----- Original Message ----- 
>From: "K. Angermeier" <kickinsho@charter.net>
>To: "Mark Helpinstill" <mhelpinstill@patmedia.net>
>Sent: Saturday, September 09, 2006 7:58 PM
>Subject: Re: [Shotimes] Help with lean condition
>
>> Hey Mark,
>>
>> I may be off on my suggestions, but they are just that, suggestions.
>>
>> Did you make sure to clear the codes after each time?
>>
>> Do you know if your catalytic converters are okay?
>>
>> My first suggestion was merely because it was something I didn't 
realize.
>>
>> My second suggestion is because that is exactly what we had to 
do with my 
>> '93 ATX to get it to pass emissions.  We brought it to a local 
exhaust 
>> shop who cut the bad ones out and welded new ones on.
>>
>> Don't know if it helps or not, just my experience.
>>
>> Good Luck
>>
>> Kris Angermeier
>> Sheboygan, WI
>>
>> '91 Plus Wht/Blk
>> '91 Plus Wht/Blk (crushed)
>> '93 Ultra Red ATX
>>
>> "Women Who Behave Never Make History"
>> ----- Original Message ----- 
>> From: "Mark Helpinstill" <mhelpinstill@patmedia.net>
>> To: <shotimes@autox.team.net>
>> Sent: Saturday, September 09, 2006 6:04 PM
>> Subject: [Shotimes] Help with lean condition
>>
>>
>>>I am extremely frustrated today - driven to shop for new cars.
>>>
>>> Having trouble with my 94 MTX.  I failed emissions for high NOX 
(by only 
>>> 10%),
>>> so I replaced my original o2 sensors (175K mi) with the Bosch 13942.
>>> Restarted and after going 10 miles got a check engine light. 
Pulled 
>>> codes and
>>> got the 172 and 176 O2 sensor codes.  Pulled new o2 sensors and 
bench 
>>> tested
>>> using the shotimes procedure - both failed to show decent voltage 
change. 
>>> I
>>> returned them to autozone and got replacements today.  Just installed 

>>> them and
>>> no longer getting the CEL, but with the code scanner still getting 
the 
>>> same
>>> codes, plus engine running getting code 16 (does not exist apparently).

>>> Code
>>> scanner is a high quality autoxray unit.
>>>
>>> Checked for vacuum leaks and cleaned MAF.  Still getting the 
same codes. 
>>> Any
>>> suggestions before dropping the car at a shop?  I reinstalled the 
>>> original
>>> ford O2 sensors and get no codes.  It will likely cost $200+ 
just to get
>>> someone to look at it, and likely tell me nothing.
>>>
>>> Bottom line - I replace a good part with known good parts and 
now I have
>>> codes.  It seems likely that I have had a lean condition and 
the new O2
>>> sensors are more accurately reflecting that with a code.
>>>
>>> If no one has any ideas - what about suggestions for a cost effective 

>>> shop in
>>> central NJ?
>>>
>>> Thanks
>>> Mark
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Shotimes mailing list
>>> Shotimes@autox.team.net
>>> http://www.team.net/mailman/listinfo/shotimes
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