If my check engine light is on because my car is running too rich, is that bad for the car?
I have a 1996 Acura Integra LS. I have DC headers with no O2 censors on them, and my car is running rich. It also burns oil fast and is causing my check engine light to go on. I was wondering, is this bad for anything in the car? Or can I keep driving it like this?
There’s about 100 things that can trigger your check engine light, I would suggest taking it to auto-zone for a free test if your car isn’t too old, other wise you can pay a mechanic about $80 and they can tell you exactly whats wrong with it. Oh and I doubt it’s the fuel mixture causing it, but that’s always a possibility..
the lack of oxygen sensors is likelly why you have the check engine light.
It wont kill it, but its not great for it. Overfuelling will destroy your oil pretty quickly, infact fuel dilution is probably why you are burning so much of it. The only thing it will, and probably has already hurt is the catalytic convertor, if you still have one.
Keep driving it like it is, and it will not die straight away, but long term it will slowly wear it down, cost you a lot in extra fuel/ oil and hurt our environment.
ONLY thing thats damaged is a cat conveter. and your pocketbook.
no o2 sensors?
are you stupid?
a rich fuel mixture can cause carbon build up over time on the exhaust valves, headers etc.
i had a buddy whose camaro was running so rich, it was leaving black spots on the pavement by the tail pipes.
it wont hurt your car for a while, but definitely get it fixed
O2 sensors are design to tell your ECM (computer) how rich/lean your exhaust is. If the ECM doesn’t get a signal it will set the “Check Engine Light” Using too much fuel will cause damage to your engine, causing it to use oil and also cause damage to your Cat Converter (And to your pocket).
You need to get it look at………..
your car should never burn oil for any reason. That’s probly because it’s leaking. running a rich air/fuel ratio is also bad it would be much more economical to get a new o2 sensor and save money.
Don’t know how burning rich affects your hydrocarbons in the exhaust, but seems like it would increase them. Too much residue in the exhaust might overwork your catalytic converter(s) , maybe melting them like it did mine when I went too long without a tuneup…clogs the exhaust, car stops…but maybe not…
Best regards,
Mike
Your computer can’t control the fuel mixture with not oxygen sensor. You have to have that first. Possibly the reason you’re burning excessive engine oil is if the engine has been running rich for along time it can contaminate your oil with gasoline. Check it and see if it’s real thin and smells like gasoline. Change your oil and get your o2 sensors hooked up.