• 02 sensor and better gas mileage

    From AK@21:1/5 to All on Sat Mar 27 10:35:12 2021
    I had an oxygen sensor replaced.

    Prior to that I got 20 mpg in the city for my CX7.

    Now I am getting 21.5 mpg.

    Could that increase be due to the replacement of the O2 sensor?

    Thanks.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From AK@21:1/5 to Scott Dorsey on Sat Mar 27 13:00:40 2021
    On Saturday, March 27, 2021 at 2:31:18 PM UTC-5, Scott Dorsey wrote:
    AK <scienti...@gmail.com> wrote:
    I had an oxygen sensor replaced.

    Prior to that I got 20 mpg in the city for my CX7.

    Now I am getting 21.5 mpg.

    Could that increase be due to the replacement of the O2 sensor?
    If your O2 sensor was reading low and causing the computer to run the
    engine too rich, then yes.

    But it all depends on what kind of engine it is and what kind of
    control system came with it and how the sensor failed.
    --scott


    --
    "C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."
    Thanks Scott.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Scott Dorsey@21:1/5 to scientist77017@gmail.com on Sat Mar 27 19:31:15 2021
    AK <scientist77017@gmail.com> wrote:
    I had an oxygen sensor replaced.

    Prior to that I got 20 mpg in the city for my CX7.

    Now I am getting 21.5 mpg.

    Could that increase be due to the replacement of the O2 sensor?

    If your O2 sensor was reading low and causing the computer to run the
    engine too rich, then yes.

    But it all depends on what kind of engine it is and what kind of
    control system came with it and how the sensor failed.
    --scott


    --
    "C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From micky@21:1/5 to Scott Dorsey on Thu Apr 1 20:12:34 2021
    In rec.autos.tech, on 27 Mar 2021 19:31:15 -0000, kludge@panix.com
    (Scott Dorsey) wrote:

    AK <scientist77017@gmail.com> wrote:
    I had an oxygen sensor replaced.

    Prior to that I got 20 mpg in the city for my CX7.

    Now I am getting 21.5 mpg.

    Could that increase be due to the replacement of the O2 sensor?

    If your O2 sensor was reading low and causing the computer to run the
    engine too rich, then yes.

    So if now I get codes P0171 and P0174, which means that both banks are
    running lean, does that mean replacing the sensors will cause the
    opposite of what AK had, richer mixturen and decreased mpg?

    This is a serious question, even though I'm sure I'm wrong for some
    reason.

    2005 Toyota Solara XLE with V6 3.3L engine

    But it all depends on what kind of engine it is and what kind of
    control system came with it and how the sensor failed.
    --scott

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Scott Dorsey@21:1/5 to NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com on Fri Apr 2 13:38:58 2021
    micky <NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com> wrote:
    In rec.autos.tech, on 27 Mar 2021 19:31:15 -0000, kludge@panix.com
    (Scott Dorsey) wrote:

    AK <scientist77017@gmail.com> wrote:
    I had an oxygen sensor replaced.

    Prior to that I got 20 mpg in the city for my CX7.

    Now I am getting 21.5 mpg.

    Could that increase be due to the replacement of the O2 sensor?

    If your O2 sensor was reading low and causing the computer to run the >>engine too rich, then yes.

    So if now I get codes P0171 and P0174, which means that both banks are >running lean, does that mean replacing the sensors will cause the
    opposite of what AK had, richer mixturen and decreased mpg?

    Those codes don't mean that at all. Those codes mean the computer THINKS
    both banks are running lean.

    If the computer thinks the engine is running lean, the computer will
    try to make it richer. It may or may not succeed depending on what
    is broken.

    So all those error codes tell you is that SOMETHING is wrong with the
    mixture, it doesn't tell you anything at all about what it is.

    All the codes are useful for is to tell you something is wrong so you can
    look at the sensor and actuator plots on the scanner.
    --scott

    --
    "C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Steve W.@21:1/5 to Scott Dorsey on Sat Apr 3 02:07:24 2021
    Scott Dorsey wrote:
    micky <NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com> wrote:
    In rec.autos.tech, on 27 Mar 2021 19:31:15 -0000, kludge@panix.com
    (Scott Dorsey) wrote:

    AK <scientist77017@gmail.com> wrote:
    I had an oxygen sensor replaced.

    Prior to that I got 20 mpg in the city for my CX7.

    Now I am getting 21.5 mpg.

    Could that increase be due to the replacement of the O2 sensor?
    If your O2 sensor was reading low and causing the computer to run the
    engine too rich, then yes.
    So if now I get codes P0171 and P0174, which means that both banks are
    running lean, does that mean replacing the sensors will cause the
    opposite of what AK had, richer mixturen and decreased mpg?


    Changing the sensors will do nothing but show the same codes again.
    Those codes you posted mean the sensors are working. They are seeing
    that there is excess oxygen in the exhaust stream compared to what they
    expect based on the incoming airflow numbers.
    The issue is not them but in the engine. As both are full bank lean
    codes I would look at the fuel trims and the O2 live data and check for
    vacuum leaks or an intake leak that is letting in unmetered air.
    As you don't post any P0300 range codes I doubt it's fuel pressure as
    that will commonly set misfire codes as well as the lean codes.


    --
    Steve W.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From micky@21:1/5 to csr684@NOTyahoo.com on Tue Apr 6 22:41:02 2021
    XPost: alt.home.repair

    In rec.autos.tech, on Sat, 03 Apr 2021 02:07:24 -0400, "Steve W." <csr684@NOTyahoo.com> wrote:

    Scott Dorsey wrote:
    micky <NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com> wrote:
    In rec.autos.tech, on 27 Mar 2021 19:31:15 -0000, kludge@panix.com
    (Scott Dorsey) wrote:

    AK <scientist77017@gmail.com> wrote:
    I had an oxygen sensor replaced.

    Prior to that I got 20 mpg in the city for my CX7.

    Now I am getting 21.5 mpg.

    Could that increase be due to the replacement of the O2 sensor?
    If your O2 sensor was reading low and causing the computer to run the
    engine too rich, then yes.
    So if now I get codes P0171 and P0174, which means that both banks are
    running lean, does that mean replacing the sensors will cause the
    opposite of what AK had, richer mixturen and decreased mpg?


    Changing the sensors will do nothing but show the same codes again.
    Those codes you posted mean the sensors are working. They are seeing
    that there is excess oxygen in the exhaust stream compared to what they >expect based on the incoming airflow numbers.
    The issue is not them but in the engine. As both are full bank lean
    codes I would look at the fuel trims and the O2 live data and check for

    I did buy a code reader last year that would read the live data, but
    what I should look for has been mostly a mystery since then, until the
    video below. I found it a few days ago but just had time to watch it.

    Cars are much more complicated than when I was a boy, or even a
    teenager, and I've said for years and told quite a few people that
    anyone smart enough to be a good mechanic these days could succeed in a
    lot of fields.

    vacuum leaks or an intake leak that is letting in unmetered air.
    As you don't post any P0300 range codes I doubt it's fuel pressure as
    that will commonly set misfire codes as well as the lean codes.

    Thanks. I found a long video that went over at least some of the
    things to do with a P0171. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SugtR4KMIDU

    He ended up finding a leaky brake booster and a somewhat bad MAF sensor,
    but more importantly he goes into some detail about what everything
    means.

    You and some of the other people here know everything that is in this
    video. I miss the days when there were people here who knew less than I
    do. They woudl benefit more from this post than you or the others here
    will.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Steve W.@21:1/5 to Steve W. on Wed Apr 7 20:24:26 2021
    XPost: alt.home.repair

    Steve W. wrote:
    micky wrote:
    In rec.autos.tech, on Sat, 03 Apr 2021 02:07:24 -0400, "Steve W."
    <csr684@NOTyahoo.com> wrote:

    Scott Dorsey wrote:
    micky <NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com> wrote:
    In rec.autos.tech, on 27 Mar 2021 19:31:15 -0000, kludge@panix.com
    (Scott Dorsey) wrote:

    AK <scientist77017@gmail.com> wrote:
    I had an oxygen sensor replaced.

    Prior to that I got 20 mpg in the city for my CX7.

    Now I am getting 21.5 mpg.

    Could that increase be due to the replacement of the O2 sensor?
    If your O2 sensor was reading low and causing the computer to run the >>>>>> engine too rich, then yes.
    So if now I get codes P0171 and P0174, which means that both banks are >>>>> running lean, does that mean replacing the sensors will cause the
    opposite of what AK had, richer mixturen and decreased mpg?
    Changing the sensors will do nothing but show the same codes again.
    Those codes you posted mean the sensors are working. They are seeing
    that there is excess oxygen in the exhaust stream compared to what they
    expect based on the incoming airflow numbers.
    The issue is not them but in the engine. As both are full bank lean
    codes I would look at the fuel trims and the O2 live data and check for
    I did buy a code reader last year that would read the live data, but
    what I should look for has been mostly a mystery since then, until the
    video below. I found it a few days ago but just had time to watch it.

    Cars are much more complicated than when I was a boy, or even a
    teenager, and I've said for years and told quite a few people that
    anyone smart enough to be a good mechanic these days could succeed in a
    lot of fields.

    vacuum leaks or an intake leak that is letting in unmetered air.
    As you don't post any P0300 range codes I doubt it's fuel pressure as
    that will commonly set misfire codes as well as the lean codes.
    Thanks. I found a long video that went over at least some of the
    things to do with a P0171. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SugtR4KMIDU

    He ended up finding a leaky brake booster and a somewhat bad MAF sensor,
    but more importantly he goes into some detail about what everything
    means.

    You and some of the other people here know everything that is in this
    video. I miss the days when there were people here who knew less than I
    do. They woudl benefit more from this post than you or the others here
    will.

    I don't know everything but I'm pretty good at diagnostic and repair
    work on vehicles.

    How much do you really want to know about modern engine diagnostics?

    Oh where he is checking the hoses, a quick trick is to use carb cleaner
    and spray it around the hoses. If the engine rpm suddenly jumps look in
    the area you were spraying for a leak.

    --
    Steve W.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Steve W.@21:1/5 to micky on Wed Apr 7 20:18:10 2021
    XPost: alt.home.repair

    micky wrote:
    In rec.autos.tech, on Sat, 03 Apr 2021 02:07:24 -0400, "Steve W." <csr684@NOTyahoo.com> wrote:

    Scott Dorsey wrote:
    micky <NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com> wrote:
    In rec.autos.tech, on 27 Mar 2021 19:31:15 -0000, kludge@panix.com
    (Scott Dorsey) wrote:

    AK <scientist77017@gmail.com> wrote:
    I had an oxygen sensor replaced.

    Prior to that I got 20 mpg in the city for my CX7.

    Now I am getting 21.5 mpg.

    Could that increase be due to the replacement of the O2 sensor?
    If your O2 sensor was reading low and causing the computer to run the >>>>> engine too rich, then yes.
    So if now I get codes P0171 and P0174, which means that both banks are >>>> running lean, does that mean replacing the sensors will cause the
    opposite of what AK had, richer mixturen and decreased mpg?

    Changing the sensors will do nothing but show the same codes again.
    Those codes you posted mean the sensors are working. They are seeing
    that there is excess oxygen in the exhaust stream compared to what they
    expect based on the incoming airflow numbers.
    The issue is not them but in the engine. As both are full bank lean
    codes I would look at the fuel trims and the O2 live data and check for

    I did buy a code reader last year that would read the live data, but
    what I should look for has been mostly a mystery since then, until the
    video below. I found it a few days ago but just had time to watch it.

    Cars are much more complicated than when I was a boy, or even a
    teenager, and I've said for years and told quite a few people that
    anyone smart enough to be a good mechanic these days could succeed in a
    lot of fields.

    vacuum leaks or an intake leak that is letting in unmetered air.
    As you don't post any P0300 range codes I doubt it's fuel pressure as
    that will commonly set misfire codes as well as the lean codes.

    Thanks. I found a long video that went over at least some of the
    things to do with a P0171. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SugtR4KMIDU

    He ended up finding a leaky brake booster and a somewhat bad MAF sensor,
    but more importantly he goes into some detail about what everything
    means.

    You and some of the other people here know everything that is in this
    video. I miss the days when there were people here who knew less than I
    do. They woudl benefit more from this post than you or the others here
    will.

    I don't know everything but I'm pretty good at diagnostic and repair
    work on vehicles.

    How much do you really want to know about modern engine diagnostics?

    --
    Steve W.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From micky@21:1/5 to csr684@NOTyahoo.com on Wed Apr 7 21:50:11 2021
    XPost: alt.home.repair

    In alt.home.repair, on Wed, 07 Apr 2021 20:24:26 -0400, "Steve W." <csr684@NOTyahoo.com> wrote:

    Steve W. wrote:
    micky wrote:
    In rec.autos.tech, on Sat, 03 Apr 2021 02:07:24 -0400, "Steve W."
    <csr684@NOTyahoo.com> wrote:

    Scott Dorsey wrote:
    micky <NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com> wrote:
    In rec.autos.tech, on 27 Mar 2021 19:31:15 -0000, kludge@panix.com >>>>>> (Scott Dorsey) wrote:

    AK <scientist77017@gmail.com> wrote:
    I had an oxygen sensor replaced.

    Prior to that I got 20 mpg in the city for my CX7.

    Now I am getting 21.5 mpg.

    Could that increase be due to the replacement of the O2 sensor? >>>>>>> If your O2 sensor was reading low and causing the computer to run the >>>>>>> engine too rich, then yes.
    So if now I get codes P0171 and P0174, which means that both banks are >>>>>> running lean, does that mean replacing the sensors will cause the
    opposite of what AK had, richer mixturen and decreased mpg?

    Changing the sensors will do nothing but show the same codes again.
    Those codes you posted mean the sensors are working. They are seeing
    that there is excess oxygen in the exhaust stream compared to what they >>>> expect based on the incoming airflow numbers.
    The issue is not them but in the engine. As both are full bank lean
    codes I would look at the fuel trims and the O2 live data and check for

    I did buy a code reader last year that would read the live data, but
    what I should look for has been mostly a mystery since then, until the
    video below. I found it a few days ago but just had time to watch it.

    Cars are much more complicated than when I was a boy, or even a
    teenager, and I've said for years and told quite a few people that
    anyone smart enough to be a good mechanic these days could succeed in a
    lot of fields.

    vacuum leaks or an intake leak that is letting in unmetered air.
    As you don't post any P0300 range codes I doubt it's fuel pressure as
    that will commonly set misfire codes as well as the lean codes.

    Thanks. I found a long video that went over at least some of the
    things to do with a P0171. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SugtR4KMIDU

    I made a lot notes based on what he said.

    He ended up finding a leaky brake booster and a somewhat bad MAF sensor, >>> but more importantly he goes into some detail about what everything
    means.

    You and some of the other people here know everything that is in this
    video. I miss the days when there were people here who knew less than I >>> do. They would benefit more from this post than you or the others here
    will.

    I don't know everything but I'm pretty good at diagnostic and repair
    work on vehicles.

    How much do you really want to know about modern engine diagnostics?

    Just enough to fix my car, and maybe a little more. :-)

    I used the scanner today and the short and long term trims tracked the
    results of the guy who made the video, at idle and up to 2500rpm. Also
    the MAF value (in metric) and the ECT, Spark, Load, and IAT seemed on
    track. Mine starts at OL and goes quickly to CL for both banks.

    I forgot to look at the 02BnSn, but I think they're stored in the
    scanner. Yes, I posted them below, if that's what Review refers to.

    The scanner is inside with me, but the notes are in the car. I'll post
    them here later.

    Oh where he is checking the hoses, a quick trick is to use carb cleaner
    and spray it around the hoses. If the engine rpm suddenly jumps look in
    the area you were spraying for a leak.

    He sprayed with water, hoping to hear a hiss, but not with carb clean.

    I was going to spray with brake cleaner, because it says No Residue, but
    maybe carb cleaner is better? (He didn't say why not, not a word about spraying with other things.)

    If that doesn't find it (and I did look everywhere I could think of last
    year, using propane), I'm going to disconnect the purge solenoid and
    plug that hose, and then disconnect the brake booster and plug that one,
    the hoses that go into the throttle body. That's how he found a major
    problem with his brake booster.

    He used a vacuum tester to plug each hose in turn that goes to the
    throttle body, but seems to me I don't need a tester. I can assume
    there is some vacuum if the engine is running and it doesn't matter how
    much, and all I need to do is use a pencil or something bigger to plug
    each hose.

    Last time when I was trying to find a vacuum leak, I didn't know and
    didn't think about the fact that some leaks don't go to the outside,
    like a leak in a hose does. He didn't name anything other than the
    cannister circuit** and the brake booster that could have an internal
    vacuum leak. There are so many hoses, I dont' have much confidence I
    would think of something else even if it exists. Are there other things
    I should disconnect? **The cannister circuit of couree includes a
    long hose almost to the gas tank, which he couldn't feel or spray or
    look at.

    Fixing the brake booster lowered his trim total by 30 points but it was
    still too high. He found that his MAF sensor was off somewhat and after
    he replaced that too, everything was good. (Trim total was between +10
    and -10.) I replaced my MAF sensor about 10,000 miles ago, on the hope
    that would fix things. I only used a mimimal code reader th1en so if it
    made any difference, I don't know, but it didn't get rid of the codes
    and, I doubt if it's the problem now. AND today, I don't want to guess
    what my MAF was at idle, but I know it was 9.5 at 2500RPM. His original
    one started at idle (cold) 0.57 to idle (warm) 1.84, g/sec (and he said
    2 to 3 would be better), but even at 2500 rpm, his value would never go
    over 7 or 8, so I think mine works better. At least I think so.



    I'm not sure what I see when I go to Review / Live Data / Location #1
    (the only one listed). IIUC, the data there is from this afternooon and
    it says

    DTC_CNT is 2. That makes sense, P0171 and P0174.

    02B1S2(v) is 0.680
    B2 is 0.680 also
    O2B1S1 is 3.279
    02B2S1 is 3.250 very similar to bank 1
    He had said that 3.3 is perfect 14.7 to 1, air to fuel ratio. My
    two numbers are pretty close but maybe they'd be closer to 3.3 if ...


    EQ_RATB2S1 is 0.988 but I don't know what that means and he didn't say,
    and I havent' taken the time to look it up yet.
    B1S1 is 1.006, very similar.

    SHRTFTB1S2 is N/A.
    while
    SHRTFTB2S2 is 99.2 Isn't that strange? In the 4 values 8 lines up,
    B1S2 and B2S2 are exactly the same. there something wrong with B1S2?

    02SLOC is B1S12--B2S12-- whatever that means.


    I hope I didn't give too much info.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From micky@21:1/5 to NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com on Wed Apr 7 22:30:04 2021
    XPost: alt.home.repair

    In alt.home.repair, on Wed, 07 Apr 2021 21:50:11 -0400, micky <NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com> wrote:

    In alt.home.repair, on Wed, 07 Apr 2021 20:24:26 -0400, "Steve W." ><csr684@NOTyahoo.com> wrote:

    Steve W. wrote:
    micky wrote:
    In rec.autos.tech, on Sat, 03 Apr 2021 02:07:24 -0400, "Steve W."
    <csr684@NOTyahoo.com> wrote:

    Scott Dorsey wrote:
    micky <NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com> wrote:
    In rec.autos.tech, on 27 Mar 2021 19:31:15 -0000, kludge@panix.com >>>>>>> (Scott Dorsey) wrote:

    AK <scientist77017@gmail.com> wrote:
    I had an oxygen sensor replaced.

    Prior to that I got 20 mpg in the city for my CX7.

    Now I am getting 21.5 mpg.

    Could that increase be due to the replacement of the O2 sensor? >>>>>>>> If your O2 sensor was reading low and causing the computer to run the >>>>>>>> engine too rich, then yes.
    So if now I get codes P0171 and P0174, which means that both banks are >>>>>>> running lean, does that mean replacing the sensors will cause the >>>>>>> opposite of what AK had, richer mixturen and decreased mpg?

    Changing the sensors will do nothing but show the same codes again.
    Those codes you posted mean the sensors are working. They are seeing >>>>> that there is excess oxygen in the exhaust stream compared to what they >>>>> expect based on the incoming airflow numbers.
    The issue is not them but in the engine. As both are full bank lean
    codes I would look at the fuel trims and the O2 live data and check for

    I did buy a code reader last year that would read the live data, but
    what I should look for has been mostly a mystery since then, until the >>>> video below. I found it a few days ago but just had time to watch it. >>>>
    Cars are much more complicated than when I was a boy, or even a
    teenager, and I've said for years and told quite a few people that
    anyone smart enough to be a good mechanic these days could succeed in a >>>> lot of fields.

    vacuum leaks or an intake leak that is letting in unmetered air.
    As you don't post any P0300 range codes I doubt it's fuel pressure as >>>>> that will commonly set misfire codes as well as the lean codes.

    Thanks. I found a long video that went over at least some of the
    things to do with a P0171. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SugtR4KMIDU

    I made a lot notes based on what he said.

    He ended up finding a leaky brake booster and a somewhat bad MAF sensor, >>>> but more importantly he goes into some detail about what everything
    means.

    You and some of the other people here know everything that is in this
    video. I miss the days when there were people here who knew less than I >>>> do. They would benefit more from this post than you or the others here >>>> will.

    I don't know everything but I'm pretty good at diagnostic and repair
    work on vehicles.

    How much do you really want to know about modern engine diagnostics?

    Just enough to fix my car, and maybe a little more. :-)

    I used the scanner today and the short and long term trims tracked the >results of the guy who made the video, at idle and up to 2500rpm. Also

    An important thing I left out was that he said "When we raise RPM to
    2000, does SHRT get better, or worse, or the same? If it gets better,
    lower, usually a vacuum leak."

    It got lower for him. And for me, it went up a little at first but then
    went down somewhere between quite a bit and a lot. Numbers, if any, are
    in the car.

    More than one value I saw go in two different directions, and in other
    aspects of my life, a little bit in one direction at first and much more
    in the other direction soon after. I think he mentioned that too.

    So so far it's looking like a vacuum leak.

    Maybe no need to replace either 02 sensor, especially the one behind
    the engine. OTOH, I've read that they fail with age or miles. 70,000,
    100,000 were mentioned and I have 140,000.




    the MAF value (in metric) and the ECT, Spark, Load, and IAT seemed on
    track. Mine starts at OL and goes quickly to CL for both banks.

    I forgot to look at the 02BnSn, but I think they're stored in the
    scanner. Yes, I posted them below, if that's what Review refers to.

    The scanner is inside with me, but the notes are in the car. I'll post
    them here later.

    Oh where he is checking the hoses, a quick trick is to use carb cleaner
    and spray it around the hoses. If the engine rpm suddenly jumps look in
    the area you were spraying for a leak.

    He sprayed with water, hoping to hear a hiss, but not with carb clean.

    I was going to spray with brake cleaner, because it says No Residue, but >maybe carb cleaner is better? (He didn't say why not, not a word about >spraying with other things.)

    If that doesn't find it (and I did look everywhere I could think of last >year, using propane), I'm going to disconnect the purge solenoid and
    plug that hose, and then disconnect the brake booster and plug that one,
    the hoses that go into the throttle body. That's how he found a major >problem with his brake booster.

    He used a vacuum tester to plug each hose in turn that goes to the
    throttle body, but seems to me I don't need a tester. I can assume
    there is some vacuum if the engine is running and it doesn't matter how
    much, and all I need to do is use a pencil or something bigger to plug
    each hose.

    Last time when I was trying to find a vacuum leak, I didn't know and
    didn't think about the fact that some leaks don't go to the outside,
    like a leak in a hose does. He didn't name anything other than the
    cannister circuit** and the brake booster that could have an internal
    vacuum leak. There are so many hoses, I dont' have much confidence I
    would think of something else even if it exists. Are there other things
    I should disconnect? **The cannister circuit of couree includes a
    long hose almost to the gas tank, which he couldn't feel or spray or
    look at.

    Fixing the brake booster lowered his trim total by 30 points but it was
    still too high. He found that his MAF sensor was off somewhat and after
    he replaced that too, everything was good. (Trim total was between +10
    and -10.) I replaced my MAF sensor about 10,000 miles ago, on the hope
    that would fix things. I only used a mimimal code reader th1en so if it
    made any difference, I don't know, but it didn't get rid of the codes
    and, I doubt if it's the problem now. AND today, I don't want to guess
    what my MAF was at idle, but I know it was 9.5 at 2500RPM. His original
    one started at idle (cold) 0.57 to idle (warm) 1.84, g/sec (and he said
    2 to 3 would be better), but even at 2500 rpm, his value would never go
    over 7 or 8, so I think mine works better. At least I think so.



    I'm not sure what I see when I go to Review / Live Data / Location #1
    (the only one listed). IIUC, the data there is from this afternooon and
    it says

    DTC_CNT is 2. That makes sense, P0171 and P0174.

    02B1S2(v) is 0.680
    B2 is 0.680 also
    O2B1S1 is 3.279
    02B2S1 is 3.250 very similar to bank 1
    He had said that 3.3 is perfect 14.7 to 1, air to fuel ratio. My
    two numbers are pretty close but maybe they'd be closer to 3.3 if ...


    EQ_RATB2S1 is 0.988 but I don't know what that means and he didn't say,
    and I havent' taken the time to look it up yet.
    B1S1 is 1.006, very similar.

    SHRTFTB1S2 is N/A.
    while
    SHRTFTB2S2 is 99.2 Isn't that strange? In the 4 values 8 lines up,
    B1S2 and B2S2 are exactly the same. there something wrong with B1S2?

    02SLOC is B1S12--B2S12-- whatever that means.


    I hope I didn't give too much info.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From micky@21:1/5 to NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com on Wed Apr 7 23:43:36 2021
    XPost: alt.home.repair

    In alt.home.repair, on Wed, 07 Apr 2021 22:30:04 -0400, micky <NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com> wrote:


    I used the scanner today and the short and long term trims tracked the >>results of the guy who made the video, at idle and up to 2500rpm. Also

    An important thing I left out was that he said "When we raise RPM to
    2000, does SHRT [short term trim] get better, or worse, or the same? If it gets better,
    lower, usually a vacuum leak."

    And he said in the video, "If it's worse or the same, it's probably a
    fuel delivery or Mass Air flow problem."



    It got lower for him. And for me, it went up a little at first but then
    went down somewhere between quite a bit and a lot. Numbers, if any, are
    in the car.

    More than one value I saw go in two different directions, and in other >aspects of my life, a little bit in one direction at first and much more
    in the other direction soon after. I think he mentioned that too.

    So so far it's looking like a vacuum leak.

    Maybe no need to replace either 02 sensor, especially the one behind
    the engine. OTOH, I've read that they fail with age or miles. 70,000, >100,000 were mentioned and I have 140,000.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Steve W.@21:1/5 to Steve W. on Thu Apr 8 02:05:14 2021
    XPost: alt.home.repair

    Steve W. wrote:
    Steve W. wrote:
    micky wrote:
    In rec.autos.tech, on Sat, 03 Apr 2021 02:07:24 -0400, "Steve W."
    <csr684@NOTyahoo.com> wrote:

    Scott Dorsey wrote:
    micky <NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com> wrote:
    In rec.autos.tech, on 27 Mar 2021 19:31:15 -0000, kludge@panix.com >>>>>> (Scott Dorsey) wrote:

    AK <scientist77017@gmail.com> wrote:
    I had an oxygen sensor replaced.

    Prior to that I got 20 mpg in the city for my CX7.

    Now I am getting 21.5 mpg.

    Could that increase be due to the replacement of the O2 sensor? >>>>>>> If your O2 sensor was reading low and causing the computer to run the >>>>>>> engine too rich, then yes.
    So if now I get codes P0171 and P0174, which means that both banks are >>>>>> running lean, does that mean replacing the sensors will cause the
    opposite of what AK had, richer mixturen and decreased mpg?
    Changing the sensors will do nothing but show the same codes again.
    Those codes you posted mean the sensors are working. They are seeing
    that there is excess oxygen in the exhaust stream compared to what they >>>> expect based on the incoming airflow numbers.
    The issue is not them but in the engine. As both are full bank lean
    codes I would look at the fuel trims and the O2 live data and check for >>> I did buy a code reader last year that would read the live data, but
    what I should look for has been mostly a mystery since then, until the
    video below. I found it a few days ago but just had time to watch it.

    Cars are much more complicated than when I was a boy, or even a
    teenager, and I've said for years and told quite a few people that
    anyone smart enough to be a good mechanic these days could succeed in a
    lot of fields.

    vacuum leaks or an intake leak that is letting in unmetered air.
    As you don't post any P0300 range codes I doubt it's fuel pressure as
    that will commonly set misfire codes as well as the lean codes.
    Thanks. I found a long video that went over at least some of the
    things to do with a P0171. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SugtR4KMIDU >>>
    He ended up finding a leaky brake booster and a somewhat bad MAF sensor, >>> but more importantly he goes into some detail about what everything
    means.

    You and some of the other people here know everything that is in this
    video. I miss the days when there were people here who knew less than I >>> do. They woudl benefit more from this post than you or the others here
    will.
    I don't know everything but I'm pretty good at diagnostic and repair
    work on vehicles.

    How much do you really want to know about modern engine diagnostics?

    Oh where he is checking the hoses, a quick trick is to use carb cleaner
    and spray it around the hoses. If the engine rpm suddenly jumps look in
    the area you were spraying for a leak.


    From what you posted you have a vacuum leak/pirate air issue as the
    primary problem. You can use brake clean or carb cleaner, they are both
    more or less paint thinners that burn ok. I use carb cleaner because the
    older version of brake cleaner is chlorinated and generates toxic gas
    when burned.
    The thing to remember though is that in the video he is working on a car different than yours, some things apply, others don't. For instance MAF
    flow, as engine sizes go up, MAF numbers increase even at idle to feed
    the larger engine.
    Try this https://support.alldata.com/sites/main/files/file-attachments/maf_sensor_testing_110918.pdf

    Looking at the fuel trims that go up, then start coming down means that
    it's a medium sized leak. As the throttle opens it goes past the point
    where the pirate air is the main component and the mixture improves. If
    it started improving immediately it would be a small leak.

    For the sensor data you want to look at it live, and watch what it
    actually reads, if the front sensors are changing voltages rapidly as
    the engine runs and the rear sensors stay at a somewhat constant number
    and don't vary like the fronts, the sensors are working and although
    they may be worn, they are doing their job and the converters are working.
    You may be surprised at where a vacuum leak can be, brake booster, PCV
    system, intake manifold gaskets, a damaged port on the manifold, in the
    EVAP system and a host of others, some external others internal.
    OH the wuse of water for leaks is somewhat common, it's because you can
    use it on a hot or cold engine or one where you have ignition sources
    like open plug wires or bad coils. The amount of cleaner you will use
    won't be an issue though, just be sure to start on a cold engine.
    Usually something like an intake leak will get better as the engine
    warms up so you want to catch it when it's cold.


    --
    Steve W.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From micky@21:1/5 to trader4@optonline.net on Thu Apr 8 22:46:39 2021
    XPost: alt.home.repair

    In alt.home.repair, on Thu, 8 Apr 2021 06:37:51 -0700 (PDT), trader_4 <trader4@optonline.net> wrote:

    On Thursday, April 8, 2021 at 2:05:17 AM UTC-4, Steve W. wrote:
    Steve W. wrote:
    Steve W. wrote:
    micky wrote:
    In rec.autos.tech, on Sat, 03 Apr 2021 02:07:24 -0400, "Steve W."
    <csr...@NOTyahoo.com> wrote:

    Scott Dorsey wrote:
    micky <NONONO...@fmguy.com> wrote:
    In rec.autos.tech, on 27 Mar 2021 19:31:15 -0000, klu...@panix.com
    (Scott Dorsey) wrote:

    AK <scienti...@gmail.com> wrote:
    I had an oxygen sensor replaced.

    Prior to that I got 20 mpg in the city for my CX7.

    Now I am getting 21.5 mpg.

    Could that increase be due to the replacement of the O2 sensor?
    If your O2 sensor was reading low and causing the computer to run the
    engine too rich, then yes.
    So if now I get codes P0171 and P0174, which means that both banks are
    running lean, does that mean replacing the sensors will cause the
    opposite of what AK had, richer mixturen and decreased mpg?
    Changing the sensors will do nothing but show the same codes again.
    Those codes you posted mean the sensors are working. They are seeing
    that there is excess oxygen in the exhaust stream compared to what they >> >>>> expect based on the incoming airflow numbers.
    The issue is not them but in the engine. As both are full bank lean
    codes I would look at the fuel trims and the O2 live data and check for >> >>> I did buy a code reader last year that would read the live data, but
    what I should look for has been mostly a mystery since then, until the >> >>> video below. I found it a few days ago but just had time to watch it.

    Cars are much more complicated than when I was a boy, or even a
    teenager, and I've said for years and told quite a few people that
    anyone smart enough to be a good mechanic these days could succeed in a >> >>> lot of fields.

    vacuum leaks or an intake leak that is letting in unmetered air.
    As you don't post any P0300 range codes I doubt it's fuel pressure as >> >>>> that will commonly set misfire codes as well as the lean codes.
    Thanks. I found a long video that went over at least some of the
    things to do with a P0171. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SugtR4KMIDU >> >>>
    He ended up finding a leaky brake booster and a somewhat bad MAF sensor, >> >>> but more importantly he goes into some detail about what everything
    means.

    You and some of the other people here know everything that is in this
    video. I miss the days when there were people here who knew less than I >> >>> do. They woudl benefit more from this post than you or the others here >> >>> will.
    I don't know everything but I'm pretty good at diagnostic and repair
    work on vehicles.

    How much do you really want to know about modern engine diagnostics?

    Oh where he is checking the hoses, a quick trick is to use carb cleaner
    and spray it around the hoses. If the engine rpm suddenly jumps look in
    the area you were spraying for a leak.

    From what you posted you have a vacuum leak/pirate air issue as the
    primary problem. You can use brake clean or carb cleaner, they are both
    more or less paint thinners that burn ok. I use carb cleaner because the
    older version of brake cleaner is chlorinated and generates toxic gas
    when burned.
    The thing to remember though is that in the video he is working on a car
    different than yours, some things apply, others don't. For instance MAF
    flow, as engine sizes go up, MAF numbers increase even at idle to feed
    the larger engine.
    Try this
    https://support.alldata.com/sites/main/files/file-attachments/maf_sensor_testing_110918.pdf

    Looking at the fuel trims that go up, then start coming down means that
    it's a medium sized leak. As the throttle opens it goes past the point
    where the pirate air is the main component and the mixture improves. If
    it started improving immediately it would be a small leak.

    For the sensor data you want to look at it live, and watch what it
    actually reads, if the front sensors are changing voltages rapidly > the engine runs and the rear sensors stay at a somewhat constant number
    and don't vary like the fronts, the sensors are working and although
    they may be worn, they are doing their job and the converters are working. >> You may be surprised at where a vacuum leak can be, brake booster, PCV
    system, intake manifold gaskets, a damaged port on the manifold, in the
    EVAP system and a host of others, some external others internal.
    OH the wuse of water for leaks is somewhat common, it's because you can
    use it on a hot or cold engine or one where you have ignition sources
    like open plug wires or bad coils. The amount of cleaner you will use
    won't be an issue though, just be sure to start on a cold engine.
    Usually something like an intake leak will get better as the engine
    warms up so you want to catch it when it's cold.


    --
    Steve W.

    Since he's fiddled around looking for a vacuum leak for awhile already and can't
    find an obvious one, I'd suggest getting a schematic that shows all the vacuum lines.

    Under the hood is a partial schematic, of thoze hoses related to air
    pollution. It doesn't include the brake booster, for example, becauae
    I guess that has no effect on air pollution (except when the diaphragm
    is broken and they don't count that! Because they only cover what the
    law makes them cover.)

    It also shows 4 vacuum switching valves, and so far I've only found 3 of
    them. But this morning I disconnected the one connected to EVAP,
    plugged the tube on the throttle body and it made no change at all in
    the fuel trim. I also then disconnected the power brake booster,
    plugged the tube, and it made no change in the fuel trim.


    This one is very similar to the schematic for my car: https://www.camryforums.com/forum/attachments/general-tech-8/4857d1527956843-vacuum-hose-routing-vachose3.jpg
    You can click when the cursor ends in + and enlarge the photo.

    Can anyone tell me what the rectangle with two hoses ocming out of it
    is? It's above the MZ in 1MZ-FE at the bottom left of the picture. And
    above the Vacuum Switching Valve that is above that. This part of my car
    looks just like this. That is, there is a second VSV, what they label
    the PWM Vacuum Switching Valve to the right of that white rectangle (and
    if that were bad, they sell a replacement, from Toyota even.)

    But the black-outlined white rectangle is just a silver box with two
    hoses attached. And two screws holding it to the bracket above the fuel
    rail. What does it do?

    Then it will be easier to figure out where they tap off from, how to separate that
    section and plug it.

    There are two more hoses connected to the throttle body, neither as easy
    to get off. Neither shown to in the diagram they provide. ONe just
    goes to the forward valve cover, and iiuc it coudln't be the problem.
    The other comes from a 90^ bent tube and I can't tell where it goes. Too
    many things in the way.

    I'll try to find more stuff about the 3.3L engine. I have the shop
    manual for the 3.0L engine from 2000, but those 0.3 liters etc. make a
    big difference.

    Or try the smoke tester.

    I think we talked about this last year, but I was not despairing yet.
    They have one for sale for 100, another for 120, and one for 900. WRT
    rental, autozone and advance don't have it, but there was a PepBoys
    page, so I called the local Pepboys and he knew almost nothing about it.
    I called maybe a bigger Pepboys and he didnt' either but he asked
    someone and indded they have such a machine. He didn't even know how
    much it costs, but the web page said $30. Well worth it if it works. I
    hope they have someone there who stills knows how to use it. And they
    want two hours. Maybe more. I guess I can just go and keep busy.


    I've never used one, but have read of
    other people using them and sounds like in principle it would work.

    Yes, it does.





    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From micky@21:1/5 to csr684@NOTyahoo.com on Thu Apr 8 23:13:05 2021
    XPost: alt.home.repair

    In rec.autos.tech, on Thu, 08 Apr 2021 02:05:14 -0400, "Steve W." <csr684@NOTyahoo.com> wrote:

    Steve W. wrote:
    Steve W. wrote:
    micky wrote:
    In rec.autos.tech, on Sat, 03 Apr 2021 02:07:24 -0400, "Steve W."
    <csr684@NOTyahoo.com> wrote:

    Scott Dorsey wrote:
    micky <NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com> wrote:
    In rec.autos.tech, on 27 Mar 2021 19:31:15 -0000, kludge@panix.com >>>>>>> (Scott Dorsey) wrote:

    AK <scientist77017@gmail.com> wrote:
    I had an oxygen sensor replaced.

    Prior to that I got 20 mpg in the city for my CX7.

    Now I am getting 21.5 mpg.

    Could that increase be due to the replacement of the O2 sensor? >>>>>>>> If your O2 sensor was reading low and causing the computer to run the >>>>>>>> engine too rich, then yes.
    So if now I get codes P0171 and P0174, which means that both banks are >>>>>>> running lean, does that mean replacing the sensors will cause the >>>>>>> opposite of what AK had, richer mixturen and decreased mpg?
    Changing the sensors will do nothing but show the same codes again.
    Those codes you posted mean the sensors are working. They are seeing >>>>> that there is excess oxygen in the exhaust stream compared to what they >>>>> expect based on the incoming airflow numbers.
    The issue is not them but in the engine. As both are full bank lean
    codes I would look at the fuel trims and the O2 live data and check for >>>> I did buy a code reader last year that would read the live data, but
    what I should look for has been mostly a mystery since then, until the >>>> video below. I found it a few days ago but just had time to watch it. >>>>
    Cars are much more complicated than when I was a boy, or even a
    teenager, and I've said for years and told quite a few people that
    anyone smart enough to be a good mechanic these days could succeed in a >>>> lot of fields.

    vacuum leaks or an intake leak that is letting in unmetered air.
    As you don't post any P0300 range codes I doubt it's fuel pressure as >>>>> that will commonly set misfire codes as well as the lean codes.
    Thanks. I found a long video that went over at least some of the
    things to do with a P0171. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SugtR4KMIDU >>>>
    He ended up finding a leaky brake booster and a somewhat bad MAF sensor, >>>> but more importantly he goes into some detail about what everything
    means.

    You and some of the other people here know everything that is in this
    video. I miss the days when there were people here who knew less than I >>>> do. They woudl benefit more from this post than you or the others here >>>> will.
    I don't know everything but I'm pretty good at diagnostic and repair
    work on vehicles.

    How much do you really want to know about modern engine diagnostics?

    Oh where he is checking the hoses, a quick trick is to use carb cleaner
    and spray it around the hoses. If the engine rpm suddenly jumps look in
    the area you were spraying for a leak.


    From what you posted you have a vacuum leak/pirate air issue as the
    primary problem. You can use brake clean or carb cleaner, they are both
    more or less paint thinners that burn ok. I use carb cleaner because the >older version of brake cleaner is chlorinated and generates toxic gas
    when burned.

    Oops, I don't want that. I ordered it online and haven't gotten it yet,
    but it also says the original version is not flammable (unlike the other
    three versions in green cans, without chlorine),

    So how could it work at all if it's not flammable?

    There's a chart about a fifth of the way down, comparing 5 different
    version of Brakleen. Only in the red can is there chlorine but only that
    one is Not Flammable! https://www.amazon.com/CRC-05089-BRAKLEEN-Brake-Cleaner/dp/B000LDR9HI/ref=psdc_15718981_t1_B000BXKZUQ

    But in videos I watched, they're using Brakleen in that red can! Life
    is so complicated.

    The thing to remember though is that in the video he is working on a car >different than yours, some things apply, others don't. For instance MAF
    flow, as engine sizes go up, MAF numbers increase even at idle to feed
    the larger engine.

    Yes, I see. The engine he's working on is only 4 cylinders. Mine is 6.
    Try this >https://support.alldata.com/sites/main/files/file-attachments/maf_sensor_testing_110918.pdf

    I'll print this and do as he says tomorrow.

    Looking at the fuel trims that go up, then start coming down means that
    it's a medium sized leak. As the throttle opens it goes past the point
    where the pirate air is the main component and the mixture improves. If
    it started improving immediately it would be a small leak.

    Yes, I see.

    For the sensor data you want to look at it live, and watch what it
    actually reads, if the front sensors are changing voltages rapidly as
    the engine runs and the rear sensors stay at a somewhat constant number
    and don't vary like the fronts, the sensors are working and although
    they may be worn, they are doing their job and the converters are working. >You may be surprised at where a vacuum leak can be, brake booster, PCV >system, intake manifold gaskets, a damaged port on the manifold, in the
    EVAP system and a host of others, some external others internal.

    I'll keep looking and look again at places I've looked.

    OH the wuse of water for leaks is somewhat common, it's because you can
    use it on a hot or cold engine or one where you have ignition sources
    like open plug wires or bad coils. The amount of cleaner you will use
    won't be an issue though, just be sure to start on a cold engine.
    Usually something like an intake leak will get better as the engine
    warms up so you want to catch it when it's cold.

    Okay.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From micky@21:1/5 to NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com on Thu Apr 8 23:17:16 2021
    XPost: alt.home.repair

    In alt.home.repair, on Thu, 08 Apr 2021 22:46:39 -0400, micky <NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com> wrote:


    Or try the smoke tester.

    I think we talked about this last year, but I was not despairing yet.
    They have one for sale for 100, another for 120, and one for 900. WRT >rental, autozone and advance don't have it, but there was a PepBoys
    page, so I called the local Pepboys and he knew almost nothing about it.
    I called maybe a bigger Pepboys and he didnt' either but he asked
    someone and indded they have such a machine. He didn't even know how
    much it costs, but the web page said $30. Well worth it if it works. I
    hope they have someone there who stills knows how to use it. And they
    want two hours. Maybe more. I guess I can just go and keep busy.


    I've never used one, but have read of
    other people using them and sounds like in principle it would work.

    Yes, it does.

    There certainly are a lot of videos about car repair. I haven't watched
    it yet but this one is about how to make your own smoke machine! "Easy
    and fun to build" What could be better than that.

    I'm sure it's satisfying to make a good video and have people watch it,
    but do they also make money somehow?

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Rod Speed@21:1/5 to micky on Fri Apr 9 13:43:26 2021
    XPost: alt.home.repair

    "micky" <NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com> wrote in message news:ijhv6g9s4ltgekqgbgkoq9kb9dqumqamk5@4ax.com...
    In alt.home.repair, on Thu, 08 Apr 2021 22:46:39 -0400, micky <NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com> wrote:


    Or try the smoke tester.

    I think we talked about this last year, but I was not despairing yet.
    They have one for sale for 100, another for 120, and one for 900. WRT >>rental, autozone and advance don't have it, but there was a PepBoys
    page, so I called the local Pepboys and he knew almost nothing about it.
    I called maybe a bigger Pepboys and he didnt' either but he asked
    someone and indded they have such a machine. He didn't even know how
    much it costs, but the web page said $30. Well worth it if it works. I >>hope they have someone there who stills knows how to use it. And they >>want two hours. Maybe more. I guess I can just go and keep busy.


    I've never used one, but have read of
    other people using them and sounds like in principle it would work.

    Yes, it does.

    There certainly are a lot of videos about car repair. I haven't watched
    it yet but this one is about how to make your own smoke machine! "Easy
    and fun to build" What could be better than that.

    I'm sure it's satisfying to make a good video and have
    people watch it, but do they also make money somehow?

    The ones that do a lot of it do.

    It also is striking how bad most of them are production
    quality wise than what the pros produce.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Steve W.@21:1/5 to micky on Fri Apr 9 01:57:23 2021
    XPost: alt.home.repair

    micky wrote:
    In alt.home.repair, on Thu, 08 Apr 2021 22:46:39 -0400, micky <NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com> wrote:

    Or try the smoke tester.
    I think we talked about this last year, but I was not despairing yet.
    They have one for sale for 100, another for 120, and one for 900. WRT
    rental, autozone and advance don't have it, but there was a PepBoys
    page, so I called the local Pepboys and he knew almost nothing about it.
    I called maybe a bigger Pepboys and he didnt' either but he asked
    someone and indded they have such a machine. He didn't even know how
    much it costs, but the web page said $30. Well worth it if it works. I
    hope they have someone there who stills knows how to use it. And they
    want two hours. Maybe more. I guess I can just go and keep busy.


    I've never used one, but have read of
    other people using them and sounds like in principle it would work.
    Yes, it does.

    There certainly are a lot of videos about car repair. I haven't watched
    it yet but this one is about how to make your own smoke machine! "Easy
    and fun to build" What could be better than that.

    I'm sure it's satisfying to make a good video and have people watch it,
    but do they also make money somehow?


    A smoke machine is handy but you can do the same testing on a running
    car with a can of carb cleaner. The idea with the smoke is that it will pressurize everything and the smoke leaks out, It won't show internal
    leaks though.

    I built a paint can style a long time ago, it works. For a cheap smoker
    you don't need much really, just a can to hold a smoldering fuel source
    a hose to connect to the vehicle and a small air source to push the
    smoke. Even a cheap aquarium pump will do that. You want between 1/2 and
    1 psi of pressure as higher pressures can damage EVAP parts. A cheap way
    to get that is a BBQ regulator. Fuel wise I've seen people use the same materials that beekeepers put in their smokers, and even seen people rig
    those up to work as well.

    --
    Steve W.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Steve W.@21:1/5 to micky on Fri Apr 9 02:01:50 2021
    XPost: alt.home.repair

    micky wrote:
    In rec.autos.tech, on Thu, 08 Apr 2021 02:05:14 -0400, "Steve W." <csr684@NOTyahoo.com> wrote:

    Steve W. wrote:
    Steve W. wrote:
    micky wrote:
    In rec.autos.tech, on Sat, 03 Apr 2021 02:07:24 -0400, "Steve W."
    <csr684@NOTyahoo.com> wrote:

    Scott Dorsey wrote:
    micky <NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com> wrote:
    In rec.autos.tech, on 27 Mar 2021 19:31:15 -0000, kludge@panix.com >>>>>>>> (Scott Dorsey) wrote:

    AK <scientist77017@gmail.com> wrote:
    I had an oxygen sensor replaced.

    Prior to that I got 20 mpg in the city for my CX7.

    Now I am getting 21.5 mpg.

    Could that increase be due to the replacement of the O2 sensor? >>>>>>>>> If your O2 sensor was reading low and causing the computer to run the >>>>>>>>> engine too rich, then yes.
    So if now I get codes P0171 and P0174, which means that both banks are >>>>>>>> running lean, does that mean replacing the sensors will cause the >>>>>>>> opposite of what AK had, richer mixturen and decreased mpg?
    Changing the sensors will do nothing but show the same codes again. >>>>>> Those codes you posted mean the sensors are working. They are seeing >>>>>> that there is excess oxygen in the exhaust stream compared to what they >>>>>> expect based on the incoming airflow numbers.
    The issue is not them but in the engine. As both are full bank lean >>>>>> codes I would look at the fuel trims and the O2 live data and check for >>>>> I did buy a code reader last year that would read the live data, but >>>>> what I should look for has been mostly a mystery since then, until the >>>>> video below. I found it a few days ago but just had time to watch it. >>>>>
    Cars are much more complicated than when I was a boy, or even a
    teenager, and I've said for years and told quite a few people that
    anyone smart enough to be a good mechanic these days could succeed in a >>>>> lot of fields.

    vacuum leaks or an intake leak that is letting in unmetered air.
    As you don't post any P0300 range codes I doubt it's fuel pressure as >>>>>> that will commonly set misfire codes as well as the lean codes.
    Thanks. I found a long video that went over at least some of the
    things to do with a P0171. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SugtR4KMIDU >>>>>
    He ended up finding a leaky brake booster and a somewhat bad MAF sensor, >>>>> but more importantly he goes into some detail about what everything
    means.

    You and some of the other people here know everything that is in this >>>>> video. I miss the days when there were people here who knew less than I >>>>> do. They woudl benefit more from this post than you or the others here >>>>> will.
    I don't know everything but I'm pretty good at diagnostic and repair
    work on vehicles.

    How much do you really want to know about modern engine diagnostics?

    Oh where he is checking the hoses, a quick trick is to use carb cleaner
    and spray it around the hoses. If the engine rpm suddenly jumps look in
    the area you were spraying for a leak.

    From what you posted you have a vacuum leak/pirate air issue as the
    primary problem. You can use brake clean or carb cleaner, they are both
    more or less paint thinners that burn ok. I use carb cleaner because the
    older version of brake cleaner is chlorinated and generates toxic gas
    when burned.

    Oops, I don't want that. I ordered it online and haven't gotten it yet,
    but it also says the original version is not flammable (unlike the other three versions in green cans, without chlorine),

    So how could it work at all if it's not flammable?

    There's a chart about a fifth of the way down, comparing 5 different
    version of Brakleen. Only in the red can is there chlorine but only that
    one is Not Flammable! https://www.amazon.com/CRC-05089-BRAKLEEN-Brake-Cleaner/dp/B000LDR9HI/ref=psdc_15718981_t1_B000BXKZUQ

    But in videos I watched, they're using Brakleen in that red can! Life
    is so complicated.

    The thing to remember though is that in the video he is working on a car
    different than yours, some things apply, others don't. For instance MAF
    flow, as engine sizes go up, MAF numbers increase even at idle to feed
    the larger engine.

    Yes, I see. The engine he's working on is only 4 cylinders. Mine is 6.
    Try this
    https://support.alldata.com/sites/main/files/file-attachments/maf_sensor_testing_110918.pdf

    I'll print this and do as he says tomorrow.
    Looking at the fuel trims that go up, then start coming down means that
    it's a medium sized leak. As the throttle opens it goes past the point
    where the pirate air is the main component and the mixture improves. If
    it started improving immediately it would be a small leak.

    Yes, I see.

    For the sensor data you want to look at it live, and watch what it
    actually reads, if the front sensors are changing voltages rapidly as
    the engine runs and the rear sensors stay at a somewhat constant number
    and don't vary like the fronts, the sensors are working and although
    they may be worn, they are doing their job and the converters are working. >> You may be surprised at where a vacuum leak can be, brake booster, PCV
    system, intake manifold gaskets, a damaged port on the manifold, in the
    EVAP system and a host of others, some external others internal.

    I'll keep looking and look again at places I've looked.

    OH the wuse of water for leaks is somewhat common, it's because you can
    use it on a hot or cold engine or one where you have ignition sources
    like open plug wires or bad coils. The amount of cleaner you will use
    won't be an issue though, just be sure to start on a cold engine.
    Usually something like an intake leak will get better as the engine
    warms up so you want to catch it when it's cold.

    Okay.

    If you like visit 2carpros.com Put in as much info about your issue as
    you can and one of the crew can look up the line routing and parts on
    that car and give you much more info including pictures and other tests.

    --
    Steve W.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Tekkie⌐@21:1/5 to All on Fri Apr 9 15:59:53 2021
    XPost: alt.home.repair

    On Fri, 09 Apr 2021 01:57:23 -0400, Steve W. posted for all of us to digest...


    micky wrote:
    In alt.home.repair, on Thu, 08 Apr 2021 22:46:39 -0400, micky <NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com> wrote:

    Or try the smoke tester.
    I think we talked about this last year, but I was not despairing yet.
    They have one for sale for 100, another for 120, and one for 900. WRT
    rental, autozone and advance don't have it, but there was a PepBoys
    page, so I called the local Pepboys and he knew almost nothing about it. >> I called maybe a bigger Pepboys and he didnt' either but he asked
    someone and indded they have such a machine. He didn't even know how
    much it costs, but the web page said $30. Well worth it if it works. I >> hope they have someone there who stills knows how to use it. And they
    want two hours. Maybe more. I guess I can just go and keep busy.


    I've never used one, but have read of
    other people using them and sounds like in principle it would work.
    Yes, it does.

    There certainly are a lot of videos about car repair. I haven't watched
    it yet but this one is about how to make your own smoke machine! "Easy
    and fun to build" What could be better than that.

    I'm sure it's satisfying to make a good video and have people watch it,
    but do they also make money somehow?


    A smoke machine is handy but you can do the same testing on a running
    car with a can of carb cleaner. The idea with the smoke is that it will pressurize everything and the smoke leaks out, It won't show internal
    leaks though.

    I built a paint can style a long time ago, it works. For a cheap smoker
    you don't need much really, just a can to hold a smoldering fuel source
    a hose to connect to the vehicle and a small air source to push the
    smoke. Even a cheap aquarium pump will do that. You want between 1/2 and
    1 psi of pressure as higher pressures can damage EVAP parts. A cheap way
    to get that is a BBQ regulator. Fuel wise I've seen people use the same materials that beekeepers put in their smokers, and even seen people rig those up to work as well.

    You don't want smoke that will ruin sensors and cause more problems & $$$$

    --
    Tekkie

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)
  • From Steve W.@21:1/5 to All on Fri Apr 9 16:08:37 2021
    XPost: alt.home.repair

    Tekkie wrote:
    On Fri, 09 Apr 2021 01:57:23 -0400, Steve W. posted for all of us to digest...

    micky wrote:
    In alt.home.repair, on Thu, 08 Apr 2021 22:46:39 -0400, micky
    <NONONOmisc07@fmguy.com> wrote:

    Or try the smoke tester.
    I think we talked about this last year, but I was not despairing yet.
    They have one for sale for 100, another for 120, and one for 900. WRT >>>> rental, autozone and advance don't have it, but there was a PepBoys
    page, so I called the local Pepboys and he knew almost nothing about it. >>>> I called maybe a bigger Pepboys and he didnt' either but he asked
    someone and indded they have such a machine. He didn't even know how
    much it costs, but the web page said $30. Well worth it if it works. I >>>> hope they have someone there who stills knows how to use it. And they >>>> want two hours. Maybe more. I guess I can just go and keep busy.


    I've never used one, but have read of
    other people using them and sounds like in principle it would work.
    Yes, it does.
    There certainly are a lot of videos about car repair. I haven't watched
    it yet but this one is about how to make your own smoke machine! "Easy
    and fun to build" What could be better than that.

    I'm sure it's satisfying to make a good video and have people watch it,
    but do they also make money somehow?

    A smoke machine is handy but you can do the same testing on a running
    car with a can of carb cleaner. The idea with the smoke is that it will
    pressurize everything and the smoke leaks out, It won't show internal
    leaks though.

    I built a paint can style a long time ago, it works. For a cheap smoker
    you don't need much really, just a can to hold a smoldering fuel source
    a hose to connect to the vehicle and a small air source to push the
    smoke. Even a cheap aquarium pump will do that. You want between 1/2 and
    1 psi of pressure as higher pressures can damage EVAP parts. A cheap way
    to get that is a BBQ regulator. Fuel wise I've seen people use the same
    materials that beekeepers put in their smokers, and even seen people rig
    those up to work as well.

    You don't want smoke that will ruin sensors and cause more problems & $$$$


    True, but most dry smoke isn't going to be an issue for that as it's not
    going to stick to components. I've tried to contaminate MAF and )2
    sensors just to see what it really takes to get them to skew and it's surprising what really hurts them. The biggest thing is oil, either oil
    mist from the PCV or from someone going all K&N on them. Things that go
    by but leave no residue were fine.


    --
    Steve W.

    --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05
    * Origin: fsxNet Usenet Gateway (21:1/5)