sonyman

My car constantly emits a strange smell, and my friend says that the smell is due to my car running too rich. What could be the cause of this? The air filter is brand new (K&N), so that isn't the culprit. It is running 93 Octane. All suggestions are much appreciated.

Scott

SCV8

I'd check for vacum leaks first, opposite to the way a carburetor reacts to this, a loss in vacum signal will put the ecu in acceleration mode.
Maybe a weak ignition too perhaps, or a bad O2 sensor, or...

Dx3

iTrader: (13)

Or else get an S-AFC and get it tuned - that will have you running perfectly.

Jonny

sonyman

For a lot more money .

Scott

Dx3

iTrader: (13)

Well, for $200 for the SAFC and $100 to get it tuned to give you better gas mileage, run better, and give you about 15+ rwhp then I guess that is a personal choice.

For me it doesn't get a better bang for the buck.

Jonny

sonyman

$200 Where? What does it take to install it? More details please.

Scott

/Aerostar\

iTrader: (2)

Uhhh, Im thinkin he should fix whats actually wrong before getting his car modified and dyno tuned. Check all the vacuum lines, clean out your throttle body, run some Chevron Techron cleaner through your gas, and reset your ECU. Also, how old are your spark plugs/wires? It could be alot of things man

Dx3

iTrader: (13)

All SC's seem to run rich ( well at least my 3 did) and there was nothing wrong with them. Lexus are known to run rich. To a new person who is not used to dealing with SC's - a rich smell coming from the car seems like there is a problem, but to people like us who have had the car for years, it is not even something we notice.

As I said, have an S-AFC tuned and I believe it will take care of your problem.

Jonny

/Aerostar\

iTrader: (2)

When I first got my SC3, it used to run rich. I remember smelling it out of the exhaust a few times. But after doing some maintenance including: air filter, spark plugs/wires, d-cap/rotor, fuel cleaner, maybe some other stuff, that smell compltely went away and it longer runs rich AT ALL. She runs like a charm now

VSsc400

iTrader: (1)

the car should not run rich enough where you smell the distinct smell of raw fuel.
If you smell raw fuel emission continuously then you have a problem.
Before you go and run a S-AFC get new plugs and have your wires load tested to make sure there isn't too much resistance.
When was the car smogged? Did it pass?

sonyman

The car was last smogged in August of 2004. Should I get platinum plugs or iridiums? What kind do I need, and where can I find a guide on how to install new plugs, and what are the torque specifications, etc.? I am new to diy car maintenance.

Scott

sonyman

I managed to find an excellent guide on changing the spark plugs for the 1UZFE, but I still have a few unanswered questions. If I am changing the spark plugs, should I change the wires too? What about the distributor?

Scott

sonyman

Bump...any new suggestions? To add to my problem, last night I started the car and looked at the tail pipes, and it looked like there were fuel vapors or something coming from the tailpipe. It was hot out as well. The smell is really bothersome, but it also seems like the car bucks a little bit (lags a tiny bit) when I press on the gas pedal.

Scott

philliptie

iTrader: (1)

im having the same problem on my 92 sc400, the check engine says my mafs....

themisfit

lol my 95 has the same problem my girlfriend though it was me