Code 45

[Edmond]

I'm getting a code 45, which my book says is the O2 sensor running rich. I do smell quite a strong gasoline sense from the exhaust.

It didn't pass emissions two years ago and I managed to get a waiver but I have to fix it to pass this year.

In these past two years, I have done:

plugs
wires
PCV
fuel filter
pup cats
main cat
distributor rotor & cap

I'm suspicious of two things:

EGR-which to my knowledge is the original from 1988.

fuel injectors-I occasionally smell a gasoline odor after I've filled the car up. I believe the injectors could be the cause for the rich code.

I have no internal mods that would cause the car to run rich.

 

[jmccloud]

Smell

Smells like (or sounds like) your canister or purging system isn't working. If moisture gets into the canister contents (carbon), it will block its ability to absorb vapors from the tank. So much for the fill up odor.

But for the system to fail emissions test and the exhaust to stink, something more is likely wrong. Have you replaced the 02 sensor itself? They usually go bad in that many miles. If the EGR is leaking, it will cause an extra lean condition which leads to misfire - extra rich. So that is a possibility.

Good Luck

 

[bill5674]

First ,did they tell you why it failed? It could help in the diagnosis of the trouble.I didn`t see air filter mentioned. Erg should not give off gas smell but with high milage won`t hurt to change. Just had a code 44 on mine ,lean condition. Bad injectors,won`t set a code for ijectors , but if you think about it leaking injectors will cause a rich condition. Anybody have any more ? thats my two cents

 

[Edmond]

jmccloud,

I checked that canister and as far as the outside physical appearance, none of the hoses or the unit itself is cracked. How else should I check it?

Bill,

Unfortunately, they can't tell you why you failed because they're not techs. But I was running everything too high. I have a K&N air filter with an open lid; that shouldn't cause any problems because I'm just letting more air in.

 

[Vettefan87]

What kind of gas mileage are you getting? My brother replaced his O2 sensor and is getting very very good gas mileage. Just something to think about.


Justin

 

[Edmond]

What kind of gas mileage are you getting? My brother replaced his O2 sensor and is getting very very good gas mileage. Just something to think about.


Justin

14.9 mpg. The thing about that is that I don't drive far enough distances to let the average get to be accurate. You know, when you unplugged the negative battery, it resets everything to 0. I don't drive the Vette' for long distances for reasons like mileage and comfort. Plus, I've had bad luck driving the car long distances. Drove it to school a few times and only bad things happened on separate occasions:

1. Nail in sidewall, replaced all 4 because it was kind of due anyway.
2. Blown rear sway bar bushing.
3. Fan relay went bad, fan kept staying on before I had to disconnect the negative battery cable. Big props to JonM for helping on that one.

 

[vetteboy86]

I think that sounds about right for really short distances. What are your driving habits, and is the driving rural or urban? I am averaging 18.5. That is a mix of both, some city, some country. However after letting my bro drive it I found that number lower then when I left it. He was probably hammering the **** out of it. I guess thats okay, since I want him to be able to feel what a fast car is like .

Craig

 

[Edmond]

I think that sounds about right for really short distances. What are your driving habits, and is the driving rural or urban? I am averaging 18.5. That is a mix of both, some city, some country. However after letting my bro drive it I found that number lower then when I left it. He was probably hammering the **** out of it. I guess thats okay, since I want him to be able to feel what a fast car is like .

Craig

I'm a suburbanite!:L I rarely drive the car into the city. It's just not convenient. I don't really get on the car that much but most of my driving comes from a 11 mile round trip to and from the train station. There are a few Vette's parked at the train station from commuters. I always see the Z06 guy, another C5 guy and a Shark.

 

[ATL 84]

This maybe way off but I had some tranny work done on mine and found they unplugged my O2 and forgot to replug it. You can always check it, if you have not already. The O2 is located on the drivers side of the front Y-pipe. Its just a thought.