Running Lean, need suggestions

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Jan 21, 2003 | 04:23 PM

Bean

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Running Lean, need suggestions

All stock except a few gauges for my future mods and a CAI. Gauges and CAI were installed around same time. After install, I reset ECU.

Since that time, the air/fuel gauge has been running extremely LEAN. Like I said, all stock. Using mobil one synthetic oil and in New Jersey now where the temps are around 20 degrees F (not sure if outside temps have anything to do with it). Always use 93 Octane gas.

Anyone have suggestions and making it run a bit richer?
Thanks in advance.

Jan 21, 2003 | 06:40 PM

tranjo

Registered User

Joined: Jan 2003

Posts: 66

From: Holden, MA

Car Info: 2002Wrx Blue cobb tuned

its prob the CAI causing lean conditions, but.... what is lean to you? how and where is your gage hooked up? I need some more info like, rpms, boost etc.
As far as richening, you will need to go with a type of fuel management. The factory ECU constantly adapts to conditions etc.

Jan 21, 2003 | 09:34 PM

awns729

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Joined: Dec 2002

Posts: 4,568

From: Rockland County...NY

Car Info: want a WRX

i would say more info would help...how long has it been lean....i thnk temp mite be part of the prob...maybe....how long ago did u reset the ECU?? after u reset it were ur drivin conditions and diff?

Jan 22, 2003 | 04:07 AM

N/A

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I'd have to say its the colder more dense air that we've been having. It would be nice if the ECUs were smart enough to read the air temp, air pressure and density to make constant changes.

Jan 22, 2003 | 07:58 AM

Sea Dragon Rex

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Joined: Dec 2002

Posts: 469

From: Pleasant Hill, CA

Car Info: 02 WRB Wagon (Cobb AccessPort, P7's), 2-73 914 2.0, 74 914-2.0

You may want to check the archives but I seem to recall when I was looking into CAI's that they caused the car to run leaner which improved accelleration. It can be a dangerous condition for your engine and the only way I can think of to alleviate the condition is to have the ECU re-mapped (get a chip). Of course, that will offset the lean condition which is giving you a little better accelleration (which is why I didn't go with a CAI).

Jan 22, 2003 | 01:34 PM

Mr.Blue

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Is running lean still a big deal even when the temp outside is freezing? I would think that cold temps would keep the engine from overheating, of course I'm not as knowledgeable as most of the people in these forums.

Jan 22, 2003 | 01:44 PM

Sea Dragon Rex

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Joined: Dec 2002

Posts: 469

From: Pleasant Hill, CA

Car Info: 02 WRB Wagon (Cobb AccessPort, P7's), 2-73 914 2.0, 74 914-2.0

The problem isn't the temperature. If I'm not mistaken, you could get "lean pop" which is premature detonation in the combustion chamber which is very bad. My cousin's husband ended up with piston meltdown in his 1986 911 Turbo because he had a lean condition due to the mods he made. The fuel system couldn't deliver enough fuel, which caused the detonation and piston meltdown. Not a pretty sight.