Running rich - HELP PLEASE!!!

leggy · 21-02-15, 12:29 PM

Okay guys, I'm looking for help in diagnosing/fixing yet another problem with my Audi 80 2.0E 8C/B4 ABK. The problem being that no matter whether my journey is short or long, my car (engine) stinks and it also seems to be kicking out a lot of fumes/smoke; both being more noticeable when turning the engine off or reversing.

I've been using the same semi-synthetic brand of oil myself for years (albeit it's now 10-40W as opposed to 5-30W, I think, but either way, they're the recommended oil grades for my car), I check my oil level regularly so that it's between min/max on dip stick, I've had the oil and oil filter changed in the past year (unknown brand but fully synthetic oil used, oil filter type/brand unknown), and I generally stick with the same fuel supplier, so no change there.

For those familiar with my tales about 'The Unreliables', they've said that the smell/fumes is normal for old cars (and TBH, it wouldn't surprise me if they've done something to my car when they changed the oil/oil filter!). A fellow work colleague however agreed that the smell is quite strong (not normal) and having asked me if its using a lot of oil, which it's not, then suggested that the fuel mix isn't right and that I should take it to be re-tuned.

Either way, and with the MOT due in April, my concern is that it may not pass the emissions test, so getting it sorted is high on my list atm.

Suggestions please???

John. · 21-02-15, 12:39 PM

Filthy air filter.

Coolant temp sensor.

Air flow meter/MAF sensor......call it whatever!

Lambda sensor.

Does it run ok..........worth whipping a spark plug out to confirm the running rich.

leggy · 21-02-15, 12:55 PM

Hi John

Air filter changed in past year (same time as oil/oil filter); old one wasn't even that dirty!

Not 100%, but coolant temp sensor changed by Audi some time ago (would need to check paperwork).

Ummmm, dunno what/where that is?

Argh, lambda sensor, that's on Cat!, haha, something I do know, and heck, don't have the tools to be fiddling with that, and in any case, I'm a bit wary about messing with it.

Runs fine, albeit the tick-over seems a bit high when sitting at lights, etc....spark plugs fairly new but please explain how whipping one out will confirm running rich, and is this just a temporary (with engine running, car parked) whip out?

Hanuman · 21-02-15, 12:57 PM

Worth checking the air flow meter. Item11 here.

My Audi100 was running too rich, without a filter! The sensor was grubby, but easily cleaned with a quick spray of carb cleaner.
Made a big difference to fuel consumption and general running.

leggy · 21-02-15, 01:08 PM

Hi The Real MSH!...

looks to me like that's the air filter/housing components, but with just the "sent from ipad..." bit underneath the diagram, I'm confused, so whatcha saying please?

[EDIT] argh, you edited at the same time that I was typing, rewind!

John. · 21-02-15, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leggy

Runs fine, albeit the tick-over seems a bit high when sitting at lights, etc....spark plugs fairly new but please explain how whipping one out will confirm running rich, and is this just a temporary (with engine running, car parked) whip out?

see Marks post above ref air flow meter.
High tick-over suggests something amiss regards air/fueling?
Engine OFF, take a plug out......if it's as black as the hell of hells then it's running rich or you're burning something you shouldn't be.

John. · 21-02-15, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by leggy

Hi The Real MSH!...

looks to me like that's the air filter/housing components, but with just the "sent from ipad..." bit underneath the diagram, I'm confused, so whatcha saying please?

Assuming your's is the same then it's the box of electrics on top of the air filter box.

sinbin5t · 21-02-15, 01:19 PM

My oh my Leggy, will your problems ever end ? you seem to be about as lucky as me

John. · 21-02-15, 01:26 PM

The lamda sensor is checkable with a voltmeter, there'll be a you-tube vid somewhere.

leggy · 21-02-15, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sinbin5t

My oh my Leggy, will your problems ever end ? you seem to be about as lucky as me

kind of expected with the age of my car sinbin5t, but reassuring to have you guys at hand to help 'me' to try and fix it myself.

21-02-15, 12:55 PM	#3
leggy Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 1,650	Hi John Air filter changed in past year (same time as oil/oil filter); old one wasn't even that dirty! Not 100%, but coolant temp sensor changed by Audi some time ago (would need to check paperwork). Ummmm, dunno what/where that is? Argh, lambda sensor, that's on Cat!, haha, something I do know, and heck, don't have the tools to be fiddling with that, and in any case, I'm a bit wary about messing with it. Runs fine, albeit the tick-over seems a bit high when sitting at lights, etc....spark plugs fairly new but please explain how whipping one out will confirm running rich, and is this just a temporary (with engine running, car parked) whip out? Last edited by leggy; 21-02-15 at 01:02 PM.

21-02-15, 12:57 PM	#4
Hanuman Trickster Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Heckling from the cheap seats, Phnom Penh, KoW Posts: 7,026	Worth checking the air flow meter. Item11 here. My Audi100 was running too rich, without a filter! The sensor was grubby, but easily cleaned with a quick spray of carb cleaner. Made a big difference to fuel consumption and general running. __________________ I wish they would keep the damned Chinese away now that I can go home, so that I can enjoy Fish amok and a draught Angkor Last edited by Hanuman; 21-02-15 at 01:00 PM.

21-02-15, 12:39 PM	#2
John. 4 ring whore! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Scottish Borders. Posts: 7,540	Filthy air filter. Coolant temp sensor. Air flow meter/MAF sensor......call it whatever! Lambda sensor. Does it run ok..........worth whipping a spark plug out to confirm the running rich.

21-02-15, 01:08 PM	#5
leggy Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 1,650	Hi The Real MSH!... looks to me like that's the air filter/housing components, but with just the "sent from ipad..." bit underneath the diagram, I'm confused, so whatcha saying please? [EDIT] argh, you edited at the same time that I was typing, rewind!

21-02-15, 01:19 PM	#8
sinbin5t 4 ring whore! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Where a spike points skywards Posts: 12,960	My oh my Leggy, will your problems ever end ? you seem to be about as lucky as me

21-02-15, 01:26 PM	#9
John. 4 ring whore! Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Scottish Borders. Posts: 7,540	The lamda sensor is checkable with a voltmeter, there'll be a you-tube vid somewhere.