83Starion-11 Posted May 25, 2012 Report Share Posted May 25, 2012 My 83' starion is running great...expect for the fact that she is running rich at the moment and I cannot figure out why. Any input any one has as to maybe why it is running rich would be great. I am only getting about 15-16 mpg running the car easy and on the highway mostly - even using cruise control sometimes. I have a air/fuel gauge and when I am on it, it is reading rich so It seems no matter how I am driving it is running rich. Any thoughts? -Andrew Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chad Posted May 25, 2012 Report Share Posted May 25, 2012 leaking injector pintle seat will often cause that. Does it take more than a couple cranks to start it when the motor is cold? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
83Starion-11 Posted May 25, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 25, 2012 No, car cranks right over even during the winter...she was having trouble this last winter, but I replced the started when it completly went out and since then I it is almost a instant start...even cold. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hippynerd Posted May 25, 2012 Report Share Posted May 25, 2012 Sounds like coolant temp switch. Its pretty easy to measure/defeat. It should read about 300 ohms @ about 180 degrees. (warmed up) Ive bypassed mine with resisters, and I've driven around with a VOM watching my CTS not work right Sadly, the CTS for the 83 is a difficult to find item, and is fairly expensive. I bought one for my 83, but the car ran like crap, so Im back to the old one, and resisters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
83Starion-11 Posted May 25, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 25, 2012 hmmmm i replaced one of the coolent temp things on my car already, which one is the coolant temp switch? I know I replaced one of them haha...not sure which one. Ill find out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hippynerd Posted May 25, 2012 Report Share Posted May 25, 2012 (edited) Its the one with 2 terminals in a T formation. Its in the intake manifold near the thermostat. The 1 terminal sensors are for AC, and dash gauge. aslo:Its a sensor, not switch (like used in newer radiators w/electric fans). It changes resistance with heat. Edited May 25, 2012 by nerdbouy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hippynerd Posted May 25, 2012 Report Share Posted May 25, 2012 Mine ran so rich you could see gas vapor coming out the tail pipe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
83Starion-11 Posted May 25, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 25, 2012 (edited) ya you can smell the gas good when i come to a idle :/ ill check it out tomorrow and did you say this coolent sensor is very hard to find? I mean I know 83' parts are hard to find haha so I wouldn't be surprised. Edited May 25, 2012 by 83Starion-11 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
83Starion-11 Posted May 25, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 25, 2012 ohh I remember now, I believe I switched out the coolant temp sender one.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hippynerd Posted May 25, 2012 Report Share Posted May 25, 2012 The CTS in most starions is like $17, and can be found at just about any parts store, the 83 used a different sensor. Rock auto had one of their sales, so I got one when it was under $50, Sadly, it seems to be wrong, and rock auto wont refund me since I bolted it onto the car They claim its the right one, and the only one they have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hippynerd Posted May 25, 2012 Report Share Posted May 25, 2012 Have you checked your oil? its probably full of gas mine was so thin it looked like water. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
83Starion-11 Posted May 25, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 25, 2012 ill check that out this morning and see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
83Starion-11 Posted May 25, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 25, 2012 So I unplugged the sensor and the car runs much smoother without it plugged in lol, I am guess that is not a good sign for that sensor... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
83Starion-11 Posted May 25, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 25, 2012 oil seems to be ok... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hippynerd Posted May 26, 2012 Report Share Posted May 26, 2012 You might run a couple wires and a switch to it, put 300 ohm resister in line with the switch, then when its warmed up flip the switch to 300 ohms, and drive. I ran wires to near my shifter, so I could hook up a VOM and monitor my CTS, and hook up the resisters. and start looking for a sensor. I think the way mine failed, it works over 50 degrees, but under 50 degrees and the sensor drops off and thinks its super cold. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
83Starion-11 Posted May 26, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 26, 2012 ya i was checking the ohms, and it seems to be reading ok haha, I am going to find a sensor and try it out i think for now ill just leave it unpluged haha car still runs rich but the engine is not missing a beat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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