Hey guy's suddenly my 95 LT1 is starting to get a really bad fuel smell in the cabin and the smell sticks to you so bad you can taste it, so obviously its running pretty rich. I know LT1's run rich as it is from the factory but this is rediculous. I am assuming it has an exhaust leak as it has a vortex exhaust (I have never heard of this exhaust before other than dynamax vortex cone inserts if thats what he meant, but the guy swore that it was a vortex catback and even has a sticker in the back windshield that say's "vortex muffler systems")from the previous owner and I guess it wasn't installed properly or whatever is the case because there is definatly an exhaust leak as I can hear the ticking and think the overwhelming fumes are mostly from that on top of the rich conditions. The rear bumper exhaust insert areas are turning black after about a week without washing. Now also I figure this has a bit to do with it as well, I think the opti is going out, the car doesn't want to start and when it finally does it kinda spits and sputters for a few then it starts running fine after a few seconds. Just wondering if some of the more experienced could pitch in and help me out here and see if the opti could be the culprit to all these symptoms???

 

Pull the vacuum line to the fuel pressure regulator and see if its wet, or smells like fuel. If you're not sure, cycle the key on with it off to cherck for a leak. If it does leak clean up the fuel and replace the regulator.

 

ok I'll look into that right now, anyone else have any opinions for a few more options to troubleshoot with?

 

I suggest you check the oil for fuel smell. Then next, see if you have a dead cylinder.

 

nah we just changed the oil over to mobil one syntec yesterday and it was fine, and the car can't be on 7 cylinders because the thing is healthy as can be, because the car runs very strong and feels and sounds healthy, and besides that I pulled about 1.5-2 cars on a 96 Z28 with catback and about 3-4 cars on a LX mustang 5.0 with full bolt ons just the other day from a 55 mph roll with just the 3.73 gear and CAi. So if its on 7 cylinders then wow, but I highly doubt that. Thanks for the advice though, I appreciate it. Its just when I start it, it cranks and cranks, I have to let off the key then try again beforre it fires and then it idles a little high sometimes at 1200, then it doesn't, kinda fluctuates. I doesn't seem to hinder performance, just start up and a lil rough idle here and there.

 

well im starting to get the thought that it might be a bad check valve, but I just went out to test a couple things, I started it with wide open throttle, and it started up easier that way, then I cycled the key on and off a few times with a couple seconds in between each time and it didn't really change anything?? So I can't really think of what else it could be, and it seems im not alone.

 

use a scanner, possiblly a bad CTS

 

ok I think I've narrowed it down to the FPR, all that happens now after a few day's of running 94 octane is its just a lil hard to start, I turn it over once for a couple seconds let off and turn it over again and it usually starts up but kinda sputters just a tiny bit then it idles when I slow down a little rough at around 1200 Rpm for a couple seconds then goes to normal, the performance isn't troubled at all, there isn't any stumbling or sputtering at any Rpm in any gear. The only problems are the hard starts and rough idle when slowing down. Anyone know of any specific brand of OEM FPR I should look into replacing the stock one with??

 

nevermind, pulled the vacuum line and its not wet or leaking, so im still trouble shooting, I don't have a scanner and all of the dumb ****s at the auto stores think I have an OBDII because of the plug, so im kinda screwed at the moment, and I don't want to replace a fuel pump if I don't know 100% thats what could be causing it since its probably not the regulator. CTS? what is that btw?

 

CTS = Coolant Temp Sensor

 

You really need to get a fuel pressure gauge and check to see if it holds pressure after key up. Sounds like the pump check valve is bad or possibly the injectors are leaking. I experienced the rough idle to even engine dying on attemps of stopping at a light. Had injectors cleaned and solved the problem for me. I hope this help some!

 

well guys I just did an oil change 3 day's ago with mobil 1 syntec and sure enough a buddy and myself checked it and compared it to his, and mine definatly has a fuel smell to it, pretty strong I might add. So a bad fuel injector??

 

possibly, way you can check for a leak without a gauge is to pry the fuel rail up, (be careful to not let any dirt, or o-rings fall into the intake holes) and turn on the key, and see if any fuel comes out of the injectors. Be very careful when getting the fuel rail up, somtimes it can be a challenge, just dont get rough, you only have to take the four bolts out of the top of the manifold