soot on tailpipe....

[mazdamp3_18]

i noticed that our cars have a pretty high soot deposits on our tail pipes a cuple days after i clean it off... ever since i removed my resonator ive noticed it getting worse... if the only way to fix this is to get an S-AFC??? does this mean our cars run lean or rich????

 

[gonzoATX]

our car runs rich and the only solution for this is to clean it every week. i clean mine inside and out with some good old fashion oven cleaner let it sit there for a while then rinse it off with a powerful stream of water IE car wash and wipe out the gunk with a towel

 

[NC_MP3]

Getting an AFC would fix the running rich problem, but good luck hooking it up hehe.

 

[Sir Nuke]

make sure if you WASH it off...and water enters your exhaust system.....ENSURE you get it dried out....start the car...let it run till its all warmed out and evaporates the water out.....other wise it can stand and rot your system from the inside out...that is if its made of carbon steel and not stainless.

 

[mazdamp3_18]

someone on protegeclub.com has the wiring diagram for the protege... also i can get it from mazda usa when i buy a repair manual... i think their $20... but im not sure

 

[LinuxRacr]

I just got off of the phone with Mazda USA, and I have the part number for the 2001 Protege Shop Manual (Hardcopy):

9999-95-017B-01

Just talking to the dealership, it will over $125.

That shop manual I found out does not have the wiring diagrams. That one is separate, and cost me $50 bucks yesterday. I am gonna hold off on the Mechanical Shop Manual.

 

[APEXistud]

Running rich is better than running lean. The question is "How rich are we running"?

 

[LT1 Power]

Most cars run rich and it is because of safety. Really the carbon buildup will always be there if it is dark black then it is too rich if it is gray then that is perfect and if it is white that is too lean. You dont want to run on that borderline tho because you could damage somethig.

This was a great way to see if your tuning worked on older cars.

 

[APEXistud]

Another way to see if you're running too rich or too lean is by pulling the Spark Plugs out and examining them. If the plugs are very dark nearing black on the white porcelain of the plug just below the electrode, then you are indeed running too rich. If the tip of the plug has some metal specs sticking on it then there is severe detination and you are running to lean. Or......you can just skip all the guess work and install an Air/Fuel guage.hehe That is probably the best thing to do.