Au running very rich - help!

sickxr · 28-06-2009, 10:19 AM

Having a major problem with my falcon, at the moment I am only getting 350-400km's to the tank and can smell a very strong petrol smell coming out the exhaust when the car is running. The car has 160k km on it making it still fairly young and everything is stock. Although the car isn’t puffing black smoke, my new exhaust I got only a couple of weeks ago is very black.

I have done all the normal things mentioned on FF when you get bad fuel consumption, like clean the TB, change spark plugs and leads, change the air filter, replaced the 02 sensor and reset the battery. Have also run a bottle of injector cleaner through the tank. None of these have worked in my case and I fear that it is something really bad.

Before I take it to Ford, to plug into their diagnostics which would be a costly exercise I thought I would ask if anyone one FF has had these issues?

Cheers

ratter · 28-06-2009, 10:22 AM

Whats your fuel pressure at ?

sickxr · 28-06-2009, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ratter

Whats your fuel pressure at ?

Not sure how to check this mate.

Also only at Christmas time I got around 850km to a tank driving from Sydney to the Gold Coast.

ratter · 28-06-2009, 11:34 AM

AU's have problem with the fuel rail flaking and jaming the pressure regulator, it causes the fuel pressure to go very high and basically squirts more fuel into the cylinder than is required.

You need to get a pressure gauge on the fuel lines and check what yours is at, it can get quite costly trying to fix theings by guessing.
If you don't have access to a gauge, your mechanic should be able to test it for you

eXi7w0unD · 28-06-2009, 01:07 PM

u get 350-400k a tank... thats what mine does. but its not bad fuel consumption. vct plays a small part, but thats usual to get 400k to a tank right?

bodes-sh · 28-06-2009, 01:09 PM

depends on the driving he does, but i'd suggest excessive fuel pressure too.

might be easier to just remove and clean it, at least then you know it's been done..

calais · 28-06-2009, 01:33 PM

Good call on the pressure regulator, also might pay to check the MAF sensor.

sickxr · 28-06-2009, 08:43 PM

Thanks for the pointers from everyone, where abouts does the pressure reg sit? Would like to have a look at removing and cleaning, what do you normally clean it with, just normal parts cleaner?

I looked at checking the MAF, but read that you need to drop the coolant out.

Also mine is the non VCT xr6 model.

mik · 28-06-2009, 09:03 PM

if i`m not mistaken it sits on the fuel injector rail down the firewall end with a vacuum hose running into it.

Juzman · 28-06-2009, 11:40 PM

350-400 k's per tank is pretty average for an AU, not sure what you're complaining about?

sickxr · 29-06-2009, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Juzman

350-400 k's per tank is pretty average for an AU, not sure what you're complaining about?

My normal run per tank was 550-600km week in week out only 4 weeks ago. Since then I have got this strong petrol smell.

Thanks for all the advice from everyone.

bodes-sh · 29-06-2009, 08:49 PM

ford 6's don't have mafs. that's only the v8's. they do have a map sensor, which could also be the problem i guess, but more than likely fuel reg. if you look at the fuel rail (passenger's side of the motor with the injectors coming off it) it's right up the back near the firewall. there should be a couple of bolts to undo and remove it, although i'm not sure how to get it apart or if it would be easier to flush it backwards. if you do if after the car has been sitting overnight there should be very little fuel pressure to worry about when removing it

james22 · 30-06-2009, 08:45 AM

^^^ Actually there will be a decent amount of pressure. On average the pressure is only meant to drop by a Maximum of 10%. So it is still under quite alot. ALWAYS depressurise your fuel system before trying to do work like this.

Remove the fuel pump relay(under the bonnet, near the battery) (diagram under the relay lid will tell you which relay) , and crank the car. That will depressurise the system. Allowing you to pull it apart safely.

Unless you want to get fuel everywhere, and possibly injure yourself, then listen to him ^^ lol

bodes-sh · 30-06-2009, 08:49 AM

hmmm...when i did my fuel filter the car had sat overnight and it only dripped out. but meh, i was going to say to pull the relay and start her up, but didn't see much point...

sickxr · 30-06-2009, 08:46 PM

Will give it a go on the weekend, bit of a crazy week this week. I will post and let everyone know how it went!

How much would just a new reg cost? Is it a sub $100 part?

Cheers

SIKSIX · 01-07-2009, 06:08 PM

fuel lines shouldnt have pressure in them, with out the pump running.
thats why the pump primes before starting. just pull it out, i did on my bros car and no flames or high pressure leaks just a trickle so put a container under it if you wish.

FORDavid · 02-07-2009, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sickxr

My normal run per tank was 550-600km week in week out only 4 weeks ago. Since then I have got this strong petrol smell.

Thanks for all the advice from everyone.

We all know that highway driving massively changes your km/L. So has it been inner city driving for the 350-400kms. My wifes AU does about 450km per tank on average. Thats local driving with 1 or 2 highway trips.