Exhaust odor

CAR TOM

MEMBER
1985 PONTIAC TRANS AM
V8
2WD
AUTOMATIC
184 MILES

My 88 Chevy Beretta with only 114.000 miles on its 2.0 motor emits a stong smell that I could only describe as rich-like no matter if the engine is cold or warm. The spark plugs and cables have about 10.000 miles on them and the car was never abused. What can I check so as to remedy this problem, since this car is TBI my understanding is that no adjustments are possible as in the old carb models.
Thank you
Tom

4 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,747 POSTS

Tom,
There are no adjustments. The fuel mixture is controled by several sensors and the computer. Also, if the fuel pressure regulator is not working properly, it could cause a problem as well as the injector itself. There is also a temp switch that tells the computer the ambient temp and coolant temp so it knows how rich or lean to make the mixture.

Now, which is the problem. Has the check engine light come on?

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Sunday, November 14th, 2010 AT 7:11 AM

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

Probable causes of an engine running rich are as follows:

1. Excessive fuel pressure can be cause by restricted fuel return line
2. Defective Oxygen Sensors.
3. Leaking injectors and fuel pressure regulator.
4. Coolant temperature sensor out of calibration.
5. Restricted air intake system.

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Sunday, November 14th, 2010 AT 7:11 AM

KHLOW2008

MECHANIC
41,814 POSTS

Have you tried to retrieve for trouble codes?

Such symptoms usually indicates the catalytic converter is failing.

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Sunday, November 14th, 2010 AT 7:13 AM

CAR TOM

MEMBER
45 POSTS

Thank to all;
no trouble codes, I drive the car about a 1000 miles a year(summer car)hardly go over 60 mph, burns a little oil, but its not an oil burning smell, just strong rich-like stink which is embarassing

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Sunday, November 14th, 2010 AT 7:23 AM