cabriolet running rich

1989 VOLKSWAGEN CABRIOLET
85,000 MILES • 4 CYL • FWD • MANUAL
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DDIXIEYANKEE
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
hey, i just bought a 89 VW cabriolet & it idles up & down, blows black smoke & seems to be using a lot of gas. im thinking it's a sensor but don't want to buy a bunch of stuff just to trouble shoot & still not find the problem. also, it's a manual transmission & the shifter is sloppy. does it just need new bushings possibly ?
May 17, 2011 at 5:58 PM
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RASMATAZ
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 75,988 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
Jun 14, 2011 at 11:09 PM
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EXOVCDS
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 1,882 POSTS
Broken ground wire on the side of the cylinder head would be the first think I would check for.

The shifter ball on the relay rod is broken.... causing too much play in the shifter.

Thomas
Mar 15, 2012 at 9:07 PM
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