Engine/Transmission/Performance Adders Chat about your engine, transmission, nitrous, superchargers, turbos, and tuning.

6th Gen ('00-'05): 3.8 fuel trim maxed *Need Help*

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 06-03-2018, 03:52 PM
Justin Bottoms's Avatar
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 5
Default 3.8 fuel trim maxed *Need Help*

I have an 02 Monte Dale Earnhardt edition an one morning the engine came on for system too lean bank 1.
-replaced air filter an MAF sensor, engine light went off after i cleared the codes
-found vacuum leak from Manifold valve to brake booster an replaced the hose an valve

I still feel like im flying through fuel an my fuel trim was maxed out for a period of time where the computer was making up for the extra air an dumping so much fuel into my trim.
Could it be an 02 sensor without throwing a check engine light? Or could it be my lower intake manifold gasket ?
Its got almost 200xxx miles an i recently did a spark plug change.
It does fight sometimes when it starts but i know it's a common problem with these, wasnt sure if my fuel pump would be related to the consumption of my fuel
 
  #2  
Old 06-03-2018, 07:22 PM
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Coal City,Il
Posts: 3,975
Default

How does the car seem to shift?? Any abnormalities when driving normally?
 
  #3  
Old 06-03-2018, 07:48 PM
Justin Bottoms's Avatar
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 5
Default

Originally Posted by wht02monte
How does the car seem to shift?? Any abnormalities when driving normally?
I definatly need to replace or do work to the transmission eventually because when the fluid gets warm it shifts pretty hard, but i wouldnt think that would do much to the fuel consumption as i started to notice i was flying through gas when the check engine light came on. It sounds like it runs fine and doesnt misfire but i have noticed in the past 2 months of me owning the car i almost went through a whole bottle of coolant
 
  #4  
Old 06-03-2018, 07:50 PM
Justin Bottoms's Avatar
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 5
Default

Originally Posted by Justin Bottoms
I definatly need to replace or do work to the transmission eventually because when the fluid gets warm it shifts pretty hard, but i wouldnt think that would do much to the fuel consumption as i started to notice i was flying through gas when the check engine light came on. It sounds like it runs fine and doesnt misfire but i have noticed in the past 2 months of me owning the car i almost went through a whole bottle of coolant
Like a full gallon of antifreezeso thats why i assumed it could be lower intake manifoldgasket but i wasnt sure
 
  #5  
Old 06-04-2018, 08:19 AM
ChibiBlackSheep's Avatar

Monte Of The Month -- August 2014
15 Year Member
10 Year Member5 Year Member3 Year Member1 Year Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Southeast PA
Posts: 25,136
Default

Pull the line from the FPR and see if it's wet with fuel or smells like fuel. Your FPR could have gone bad.
 
  #6  
Old 06-04-2018, 11:28 AM
Justin Bottoms's Avatar
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 5
Default

Originally Posted by ChibiBlackSheep
Pull the line from the FPR and see if it's wet with fuel or smells like fuel. Your FPR could have gone bad.
i pulled the line off an it wasnt wet at all after driving for 10 minutes also, i started it an plugged the line an didnt sound like any leaks either
 
  #7  
Old 06-04-2018, 05:12 PM
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Coal City,Il
Posts: 3,975
Default

Originally Posted by Justin Bottoms
I definatly need to replace or do work to the transmission eventually because when the fluid gets warm it shifts pretty hard, but i wouldnt think that would do much to the fuel consumption as i started to notice i was flying through gas when the check engine light came on. It sounds like it runs fine and doesnt misfire but i have noticed in the past 2 months of me owning the car i almost went through a whole bottle of coolant
No, I wasnt suggesting anything rather trying to gather info for myself as I have an ongoing problem I cannot figure out..

It could be the lower intake gasket or the upper.. Or the throttle body.. Or a leak anywhere in the system.. Could be the rad cap went bad and is letting coolant evaporate..

I would assume the two issues are unrelated tho.. My T-stat housing was leaking at one time and never saw any puddles or anything..

Do you monitor anything that isnt displayed on the dash??

EDIT:

Also, the FPR deal.. I dont think you need to actually drive it but rather watch it VERY closely as it idling.. It could take more than ten minutes before it starts spitting gas out.. Thats something you really want to make sure about tho because if it is leaking and you dont catch it, it would give you a nasty backfire that blows the intake manifold up..


 

Last edited by wht02monte; 06-04-2018 at 05:18 PM.
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
wht02monte
Monte Carlo Repair Help
4
10-15-2019 07:21 AM
josephandn@gmail.com
Engine/Transmission/Performance Adders
3
11-30-2017 04:13 PM
04 SS/SC
Monte Carlo Repair Help
3
05-03-2015 09:03 PM
Storman1
Monte Carlo Repair Help
7
02-10-2014 04:58 PM
joesumrall
Monte Carlo Repair Help
9
04-01-2007 11:59 PM



Quick Reply: 6th Gen ('00-'05): 3.8 fuel trim maxed *Need Help*



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:03 AM.