running LEEEAAAN

[german g]

OK, my E30 is running really lean for some reason. I'm not gonna tune it yet, becasue im waiting for my mark D chip (should arrive next week).
Is it very bad for the engine to run lean? I mean should I not drive it at all, I ask this because someone told me it could fuck up my engine. True or false, and how? Its a dumb question, but thanks.

[JasonC]

Could burn a valve.

[God]

Running lean is certainly not good, besides the power loss, the temperatures inside the combustion chamber are higher. You can burn a valve or even worse.

It could be your injectors requiring cleaning or your AFM acting up. Or it could be a mod you did. You should install that chip and check again afterwards though.

The question is, how do you know?

[BeirBrennerE30]

how do you know its running lean?? wideband? dyno? engine detonating?

and how lean is lean with 3 e's and 3 a's?

[PУCCKAЯ_e30ka]

and how lean is lean with 3 e's and 3 a's?

very lean;)

[kellie]

Aside from burning a valve, detonation could cause you to crack a piston. Running lean is bad-bad-bad. But like everyone else asked, how do you know?

Fix what's broken before you install your chip. You want to make sure your engine is running well before you go trying to increase horsepower and cause more problems. If that chip advances your timing, and the DME can't correct for an excessively lean condition, you could be in big trouble.

[AndrewBird]

I would guess a vacuum leak. Check the rubber boot connecting the intake.

[german g]

I took the car to a freinds shop and he told me that he did some tests and it was running lean, I dont know the exact #s, but he said it was around 1/2 of what it should be, fuel pressure I guess. The car doesnt run any hotter, but could this cause burnt valves? and should I not drive it at all.

He said that we should not tune it until I get my chip, becasue we will have to just tune it again...makes sence, but he said nothing about me not driving it, maybe he just assumed I wouldnt...
The reason I want to drive it is because there is a big euro car show this weekend, but I'm not gonnna drive it there if I'm gonna fuck up my engine.

Thanks for the replies guys...

and for some reason I'm not getting email confimations on my posts on R3v now??

[german g]

very lean;)

lol

[BeirBrennerE30]

well if your fuel pressure is low and thats what is causing your lean condition check: the vac line leading to the fpr, the fpr itself, your fuel lines (you may have a leak but you would probably smell it), then if all else fails try a new fuel pump.

also adding a lil fuel system cleaner wouldnt hurt anything.

Ask your friend that found the problem how bad he thought it was. As said before if its not your fuel pressure the most common cause of a lean condition is a vac leak.

[kellie]

He said that we should not tune it until I get my chip, becasue we will have to just tune it again...makes sence, but he said nothing about me not driving it, maybe he just assumed I wouldnt...

Don't try to tune it to mask the symptoms of whatever is causing you to run lean in the first place. Get the car running right, then tune from there.

[DuMa]

try some seafoam