Check engine/running rich

[NcTurnL]

Hey guys

First I want to get out of the way that I have searched long and hard for a couple of days but I cant find what Im exactly looking for.

This is my problem, a while ago I had code 1222 show off and on very often ( lambda control 1) then somehow the check engine stopped coming up as much. This weekend I disconnected the battery to check some wires for my stereo, When I reconnected my battery I turned the car back on and let it idle to remap itself for 10 min. I shut it off then turned it on again and I thought it was fine, I go for a drive my and now every time im at idle for more than 1 min my check engine comes on, when I press the throttle, it comes off, when im cruising at 1/4 throttle it comes on, if I let it off completely or floor it it comes off and I go through this process all day....
FYI!!! It only comes on when it at running temp on cold start it does not come on!

o2 sensor?-It would through a different code for this wouldn't it? code 1221.
I am not getting that code.

Vacuum leak?- I dont know where else there could be a damn vacuum leak
maybe the intake boot? ( but I cant find a tear)

Stuck open or leaking injector? - maybe it could be this? But how could you tell?

[dark89e30]

Do you have any mods, if so, what are they?

[lordofthewaters]

Could be any of these. Incorrect Fuel Pressure, Injector valve defective or coked, Engine Temperature Sensor defective, Fuel evaporation control system defective, Air Flow Meter defective and/or the combustion is being disturbed by mechanical failure.

[jlevie]

That behavior of the CEL could be as a result of a bad O2 sensor, intake leak, or bad AFM. If the O2 sensor has over 80k on it you need to replace it. An aged O2 sensor will result in a richer than normal mixture.

[dark89e30]

An aged O2 sensor will result in a richer than normal mixture.

Not true, it may, plus if it is bad, how would it know if it is actually running rich or not? We still don't know if this guy has a M30 AFM, or anything alse bolted on. Hello? Whatcha got?

[NcTurnL]

The car is all stock except for a supersprint exhaust.

The o2 sensor has no been replaced yet, I have it in my back seat, but the old one needs to be cut out with a new bung welded into the header, DAMN RUST!
But if the 02 was bad, wouldn't that throw a whole different code?
Also, if the car is running , I can disconnect the o2 sensor and the car will KINDA settle it self out, but after I turn it off(the car), it will not turn back on if its still disconnected.

I have also been kinda thinking of just hand cleaning my injectors out...Should I do these, or should I just upgrade to #19 injectors?

[jlevie]

Not true, it may, plus if it is bad, how would it know if it is actually running rich or not?

In most cases as an O2 sensor ages it indicates a leaner condition than actually exists. Based on that the DME richens the mixture. Well before the sensor ages enough for the data to exceed what the DME is prepared to accept (at which time you get a CEL) it is far enough out of spec to seriously affect engine operation. On later production vehicles one will typically see faults for fuel trim limits before one sees a fault for the O2 sensor.

[NcTurnL]

ohh
wow

awesome info!

so I have a good guess that I should go with the whole entire process of changing the O2 sensor out?

[NcTurnL]

Do our cars naturally run rich on a cold start up for a couple of minutes?

[86espowa]

I believe avery car does.

Your car runs at a precise temperature to ensure that it burns fuel the best it possibly can. when it is cold it isnt running as well as it can.

[Farbin Kaiber]

if it has a cold start valve it does, or if it runs fuel injection via a ecm or pcm or ecu...etc connected to a coolant temp sensor...

[NcTurnL]

ok thats good

But it feels like the idle is way to rich, i can smell the fuel inside the car.

maybe adjust the idle air/fuel mixture?