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Too lean and too frustrating

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  #1  
Old 02-16-2010 | 10:32 AM
Stang Kang's Avatar
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Default Too lean and too frustrating

Title says it all. I have searched the forums for solutions. Ive done injector cleaning, CAI filter clean, replaced my MAF, vacuum leak check, throttle body clean, and fuel filter change. I am trying to stay out of the dealership but im running out of patience. My car is slinging the DTC's that are associated with bank 1 and bank 2 too lean (i know thats not very good english but i forgot the exact codes and i dont want to go outside and rescan my car cause i got class in 5) I have been told that replacing my o2 sensors will alleviate the problem. Is this correct, or is my friend off his rocker? any suggestions will be greatly appreciated. BTW its 2006 GT
 

Last edited by Stang Kang; 02-16-2010 at 10:33 AM. Reason: forgot model
  #2  
Old 02-16-2010 | 11:09 AM
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Does your car have a custom dyno tune or a canned tune from either SCT or Diablo?
 
  #3  
Old 02-16-2010 | 01:05 PM
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I had the same problem and was able to fix it with a Diablo...I think they run about $320
 
  #4  
Old 02-16-2010 | 01:40 PM
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I had the same problem and Justin over at VMPTUNING.COM fixed me up. The tune I had before wasn't the proper tune. The problem you're having could be more than just O2 sensors going bad though.

I took my car to the dealership and they looked at everything that could cause that code to be thrown and they did it all for free.
 
  #5  
Old 02-16-2010 | 02:28 PM
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i have a canned tune from sct/AM i got when i ordered several parts, but it wasnt having any problems until recently and quite randomly. I try my best not to run the car to hard, but it does have about 55,000 miles on it now so it may just need standard maintenance (not including oil and other fluids obviously i change that often) My warranty is void as well so i doubt the dealership will do it free. Im really at a loss on this one.
 
  #6  
Old 02-16-2010 | 02:41 PM
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Originally Posted by Stang Kang
i have a canned tune from sct/AM i got when i ordered several parts, but it wasnt having any problems until recently and quite randomly. I try my best not to run the car to hard, but it does have about 55,000 miles on it now so it may just need standard maintenance (not including oil and other fluids obviously i change that often) My warranty is void as well so i doubt the dealership will do it free. Im really at a loss on this one.
My car has about the same mileage... Goodluck finding out what the problem is....
 
  #7  
Old 02-16-2010 | 03:56 PM
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Originally Posted by Stang Kang
i have a canned tune from sct/AM i got when i ordered several parts, but it wasnt having any problems until recently and quite randomly. I try my best not to run the car to hard, but it does have about 55,000 miles on it now so it may just need standard maintenance (not including oil and other fluids obviously i change that often) My warranty is void as well so i doubt the dealership will do it free. Im really at a loss on this one.
Best bet is to get AM and have them send you another tune. It may be doing it because of the cold, but I'd check the tune first. Then if it doesn't work you can look towards the more expensive mechanical parts.
 
  #8  
Old 02-16-2010 | 04:24 PM
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bad o2's would typically result in shitty gas mileage and a report of a lean condition on the affected bank. For both to be bad is bizarre at the very least. Try replacing them if you like, it's a 50/50 shot at worst and at best will solve the problem. I still think you may have an exhaust leak before the cats or a severe tune issue.

Have you tried disconnecting the battery for 10 mins to clear the adaptives and see what happens over the next couple hundred miles? If not, do that now. Your car will re-learn itself and the codes may never come back.
 
  #9  
Old 02-16-2010 | 04:31 PM
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Could be the tune not letting the o2's warm up...

or like red said exhaust leak before the o2 sensors.
 
  #10  
Old 02-16-2010 | 04:56 PM
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i didnt even think to try to clear it via battery disconnection, good call. But would the computer randomly do this after such a long time? ive had the canned tune since summer and never had any problems? im a child when it comes to the dynamics of car electronics so i really dont know why this would happen if it is indeed not a physical problem but an electrical one
 
  #11  
Old 02-17-2010 | 01:20 PM
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also, i was reviewing my tune info and found that its set to 91 octane. I currently run 93 octane and was wondering if i could reconfigure the tune or if i would have to order a new tune from AM or another dyno/tune service
 
  #12  
Old 02-17-2010 | 03:52 PM
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That is fine running 93 on a 91 tune is fine. All that octane does is let you know its ability to fight detonation. So 87 is not a leaner fuel over 93 or vis versa. So that is not the problem, however you could be running another 1-3* of timing if you have a 91 octane tune and have 93 fuel available to you.

Could be the tune, could be the o2 sensors, could be a intake manifold gasket leak.
 
  #13  
Old 02-17-2010 | 05:40 PM
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I say put the right gas in the car first or get another tune and then see what happens.... Thats the cheapest...
 
  #14  
Old 02-17-2010 | 08:30 PM
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Again, running 93 with a 91 octane tune isn't a problem. Because it has enough octane to keep the detonation away. If it was a 93 tune and he was running 87 that could cause issues with detonation, which is bad.

However it will not affect the a/f ratio. So again that is not the problem.
 
  #15  
Old 02-17-2010 | 08:38 PM
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I see your point Spike but these cars are kind of retarded when it comes to CEL's. My car was throwing them left and right when I first started tinkering with it. Everything had to be perfect damn near for it not to give me a light.

I guess the only other thing I can think of is for you to check for leaks before the O2 sensors which has already been said...

Keep us updated. I would like to know what caused the problem in the end when you get it fixed..
 
  #16  
Old 02-20-2010 | 09:53 AM
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Dealership says they have no idea, and theres no speed/dyno shop around here for 50 miles. ugh this is so frustrating
 
  #17  
Old 02-20-2010 | 10:31 AM
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That probably means its a tune issue.

After they checked all my stuff they said it had to be a problem with the tune I had because everything else was fine.
 
  #18  
Old 02-20-2010 | 12:09 PM
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does anyone know of a good place to get a new one kind of close to where i am? like Houston or Austin?
 
  #19  
Old 02-20-2010 | 03:52 PM
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If I were you I would just contact AM... I'm not sure if its a tune issue but I would get that checked.... I'm sure a e-mail tune from someone would solve the problem.... Or just try to reload the tune onto your car.
 
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