Just got done with my 355 build and have started and let run for short periods of time on the order or 10 times. When i first turned the key after the initial start up, it fired right up like a brand new car. I was very pleased. Then i noticed that it was running way rich but since i was running open headers and didnt tell PCMFORLESS that i would be running open headers, i just figured the O2's were dumping fuel in the cylinders. So i call PCMFORLESS and tell Bryan that i want to get it to run a little better so i can get it to the exhaust shop for custom exhaust and he tells me to unplug the O2's to set into open loop. So i do just that and i notice that it leaned it out quite a bit. So again i was happy. Then i took it around the block for the first time and seemed to be running OK. The next day i took it for another ride (no more than .5 miles combined for the two rides) and i noticed that it seemed to be running 'fat' like it was getting too much something. So this time before i got it back to the garage it cut out on me. I started it up and drove it back and it seemed hard to keep running. So a few days later i install a new fuel pump (facetronix FLT1 Kit because i was going to upgrade the pump anyway) and after the pump install the car would not start. So i drain the oil to see if any metal is in the oil and it seemed to be very thin. So i took off the drivers valve cover and there was this light brown/cream residue covering all of my drive train parts. Dont know if this is from the cam lube and stuff or what but i go to smell the oil i drained out and it smelled just like fuel. There was quite a significant amount of fuel in the oil. I would say about a quart or a little more than that?

What do you guys think is the cause for this? Do you think it has been like this since the initial startup of the engine or just since i unplugged the O2's? Do you think any damage has been done? Do you think the chip PCMFORLESS burnt me is wrong for my setup? What should i do to fix this?

If you need to know what my setup is i will tell you.

Brandon

 

bad rings? leaky injectors?

 

Dont think it had anything to do with the rings.

Brandon

 

well rings are the only way fuel can get in oil

 

He's right about that, but the rings don't have to be "bad" for that to happen. You run rich enough you'll literally wash down the cylinder walls, rings don't seal worth a damn and oil smells like fuel. If that's the case you don't want to do it for long because you can basically ruin a perfectly good set of rings and cylinder hone job.

Hard to believe that you could be that rich with the O2's disconnected unless something is wrong with your injectors/computer where the injectors were basically continuously dumping fuel into the cylinder.

 

You may have a leaky injector. I just read an article that may help. It would be helpfull to eliminate the possibility.

http://shbox.com/1/4th_gen_tech2.htm...essure_testing

 

If the diaphragm in the fuel pressure regulator is damaged you could get fuel in the oil. Much of a tear at all and you could see quite a bit.

 

Just make sure its not coolant. I dont imagine it takes a lot of fuel to make the oil smell but it would take quite a bit to turn it colors. If you used head studs as opposed to head bolts, you might be having some coolant leaking out thru the block.

 

I have a Tech II Scan tool like GM techs use. Can i use this to help with my problem? If so, what do i need to do to help locate the problem? The injectors are new, but still could be fulty. Remember, it was running way rich but still running fine, then it was still rich but running way rough, and then finally it died on me and would not start after that? This may help. ANY suggestions are welcome.

Brandon

 

I used the factory head bolts. The guy i bought the head bolts from bought the wrong size so i just reused the stock ones. I am thinking the discoloration was from the cam lube and such from the fresh build. I will try to get pics and let you guys decide for me.

Brandon

 

Oh man I hate to tell you this but thats a big NO-NO! The factory GM head bolts are torque to yield and can only be used 1 time because the bolts apparently stretch.

 

Yea i know, i am going to buy new ones but i dont think they have anything to do with my problem.

Brandon

 

I pulled most of the plugs that were easy to get too and they are all black as hell. I dont know if this will tell me anything since i was running open headers with the O2s still in the loop which i would imagine would make the car run pretty rich in the first place. But i am leaning more towards my PCM program. For some reason i just think something isnt right in the program and the PCM is telling the injectors to dump too much fuel in. PLEASE help me as soon as you can.

Brandon

 

Make sure all your plugs are firing, because if one isn't then the gas will run right down past the rings on that one.

 

The "cream" is water not fuel. If you have a plug that is cleaner than the rest that is the hole the water is coming from. Water could be coming from a bunch of places but since you have to replace the head bolts you will have a chance to check it. The over fueling is probably a different injector than it was tuned for or the tune is off. Don't run it long with the overfueling it will ruin your rings.