NVRLATE

My car hasn't ran right since I installed a cam. I was told that my opti was probably the reason why. Well I replaced the opti and it made it a little better but it still misses very bad. The car idles fine but it doesn't respond to the throttle very well. I pulled the plugs tonight and they are black. Would a bad opti foul up the plugs? Would bad plugs cause a car to run really bad under throttle but still idle ok? I also smell a lot of gas in the exhaust. Is this another indication of bad plugs? I'm obviously going to replace the plugs, I have all but one of them out. I'm just looking for confirmation that bad plugs can cause the symptons I'm experiencing.

blackztpi

well, your MAF sensor could be bad. when those go bad, you usually always run really rich. you are definately running rich. if the opti was bad, i wouldn't think you'd be running rich like that. a bad maf can cause miss, but usually not that bad. i'd try a new or good used MAF, and check your tps voltage with a DMM (digi multi meter). a haynes manual should provide you with the correct tps settings. i doubt it's your opti this time. when i had a bad MAF, it wasted tons of gas though the exhaust. it was pretty nasty.

slopokrodrigez

Smell the dipstick for gas in the oil.

NVRLATE

I also forgot to mention that my SES light is not coming on. I would think that if it was running as bad as it is that I would at least have a light.

Alvin@pcmforless.com

You ought to try to get it on a datalogger so you can seee whats going on.. it may be the O2's also.

SoloExceptional

Did you get the computer reprogrammed after the cam install? Not sure what kinda cam, but I know they typically tell people to reprogram them. That might have something to do with it running rich, or like everyone said the MAF sensor could do it.

tfs95z28

Since you did a cam, you are gonna be runnin rich no matter what, no way around it. Even with a tune, you are still gonna smell gas a lot more now than before.

I would say that once you replace the plugs you should be good to go.

NVRLATE

I did have my computer reprogrammed by Bryan at PCMforless after the cam install. Thanks for all the tips. I plan on replacing my plugs when I get home from work tonight. If that doesn't work I guess I need to get some scanning software so I can see exactly what's going on. Not that I'll understand it all but that's why I'm a member here so I can get the opinions of people that do.

NVRLATE

It had the smell of gas. I also replaced the plugs and it didn't help. Now I need to find a good/prefferably free data logging software.

slopokrodrigez

See if you have a dead cylinder.