Carbon

[Sarge91]

I have alot of Carbon buld up on my CME tips. i clean em all the time. The other day, after i parked.. there was some ''water'' on them it looked like and it was steaming a bit.. and i wiped it, it was all black.. like carbon..

So could i have a carbon build up? To much?

[mark21742]

sounds like you might be running alittle rich....unless your having other issues i wouldnt really worry about it

[Sarge91]

The SES light came on, and im blowing 02 sensors like crazy.

[mark21742]

The SES light came on, and im blowing 02 sensors like crazy.

sounds like you are running way too rich then. did you check the codes? maybe try a topend cleaner too

[0rion]

mods? Any work done recently? Have you replaced the front O2s?

[karpetcm]

With the CME tips im use to seeing the build up, maybe thats just me but most all of them ive seen have some sort some on the tips.

[mark21742]

if you have headers your o2s are moved farther down stream and that can cause you some problems
may Orion can throw out the part number for the corvette rear sensors (they have better heaters in them)

[Sarge91]

Im bone stock. The dealer just replace 2 of them last month, and that is what the SES light was on for they said. Now the SES light is on again. And the car seems to run like crap. So im guessing it is the 02 sensors..

[0rion]

no other codes? Get the new code read to make sure it's the O2's again. I was thinking you possibly had a vacuum leak causing a false lean but you would most likely be seeing a lean code if that was the case. Get this new code read before you make assumptions. If it is in fact the O2's then you can go from there. It could also be a MAF issue but like I said, don't make any assumptions until you know what the code is. Post back up and let us know when you get it read. Pretty much all parts stores will read the code for free.

[fxgs]

Mine are clean:

[Sarge91]

^ I have the SLP CME.. love your car btw


Ok guys i went and got the code..

P0420

Catalyst Efficiency
Below Threshold
(Bank 1)

Thats the sensor on the exhaust?


Thanks

[mark21742]

^ I have the SLP CME.. love your car btw


Ok guys i went and got the code..

P0420

Catalyst Efficiency
Below Threshold
(Bank 1)

Thats the sensor on the exhaust?


Thanks

that code is from the rear o2s. its saying your converters are bad.
do you have cats, hiflow cats or no cats? headers move everything down stream more and can cause this code too.
I just deleted my rear o2s when I got my headers and tune

but if you are running as rich as it sounds you could have clogged and melted your converters, so I'd start at the air filter and move down from there looking for a vacuum leak 1st before throwing a new set of cats on

[Sarge91]

i dont know if i have cats.. lol

Bone stock. SLP crap only.

[Vexzer]

mark21742 is right. Find a local performance shop with a Dyno and get away from the Stealer. They'll want to sell you Dyno time, and Dyno tuning is good but that depends on what you want to spend. IMHO it's not worth the money on a stock car. Lower cost is to stay away from the Dyno and have them just turn off the secondary 02's. For cheap have them pull them out and plug the bungs, save the 02's for a later day. They might be able to perform a few cheap tweaks for you for not too much money if you ask. I don't know what would cause your cats to fail at this stage on such a low mileage car, but the expense for the repair would give you no return -just a waste of money. See if the performance shop will install "test pipes" in place of the cats. Hell, while you're there give them a little business and buy a Hooker Aerochamber or cat-back! You'll be happy you did.

[mark21742]

i dont know if i have cats.. lol

Bone stock. SLP crap only.

yeah I hate to say it then, you have cats. the code is saying the cats aren't working properly. the cats not working are a sysmtom of your car running way too rich.
so you have to fix the rich problem 1st, then probably get new cats

[Sarge91]

How do i get the Rich problem fixed? New Sensors? And Cats.. do i even need em?

How much to replace u think?

[0rion]

let it throw that code again first and take it to the dealership and get your cats replaced under warranty. Read post 13 in THIS thread and it explains the cat extended warranty. Write down the info and take it with you because several dealerships aren't aware of the issue. As far as your tips sooting that usually is a sign of a fueling and/or O2 problem. Are you certain it's not left over from before you replaced the O2's? If you are then start looking for vacuum leaks or exhaust leaks in front of the front O2's. Check the air injection hoses and hoses around the tb for leaks after the MAF sensor.

[Vexzer]

The cats are probably fine. You prolly just got a vacuum leak and that's what confused the sensor [a vacuum leak causes lean -not rich]. Carefully inspect all those little and big] hoses with the motor off and with it running. When running you are listening for a hissing leak, but without experience you won't know what you are listening for anyway. With it off, check the short fat hose that leads to the throttle body from the passenger side [it's about 1/2' ID, and less that 3" long]. It can soften and wear through even though it touches nothing. It could also be EGR or any of a few other very inexpensive things. I'm sorry if it sounds mean, but you are about to get taken to the cleaners by the dealer. Ask around for a local shop you can trust, one with a reputation for diagnostic skills and go see 'em. Or just drop it off at the dealer with a blank check.

[Sarge91]

Orion,

Since that is true.. i would still have to play them to scan it for there knowledge, and how would i know if they would even replace it?

How can i prove it has to be replaced.

[0rion]

you don't have to pay them to scan shit. Stop at a parts store and have it verified that it's 420 the car is throwing and go in and tell them you want it replaced under warranty and if they give you grief have them look that extension up. If they still give you grief go above their heads.