Recommendations for a Diagnostic Scanner for an 82?

[82ColEd]

Hey all..

Still not 100% happy with how my car is running, so i thought i'd go at the official angle, sorta, get a Diagnostic Scanner and post the findings, rather then to throw stuff at it. It's been better, but i think it is running rich. I still get some gas smell when it's warm, and my brain is telling me the new pluugs are starting to rumble again, like before.. :eyerole Havent pulled them yet (not time), but i have the suspicion that #3 & #5 fouled like the last time. Once i have some time, i will confirm. Maybe it's just that i am now driving in the city only, getting crappy fuel mileage and running rich.

So, back to the original question: Anyone got a good Diag Scanner tool they can reckommend?

Thanks.

-Stefan

 

[82X-FireVette]

I use an Auto X-Ray 6000. It will give you all kinds of data.

If you have modified your engine or removed the smog equipment or have a malfunction with the smog equipment, it may cause a rich condition. Check the O2 sensor as that is one of the main components that affect the mixture. The Auto X-Ray 6000 can test and monitor it. If the air pump is constantly dumping air into the exhaust manifolds and not switching to the cat converter line, it will cause a rich condition. The diluted exhaust/air mixture will fool the O2 sensor into thinking the engine is running lean so the computer enriches the mixture. The fuel injectors may be bad and not spraying properly and or the fuel pressure may be too high.

 

[Hib Halverson]

I'd agree with "82X-firevette" that an Autoxray is a good choice.

That said, I'm a little curious about the gasoline smell when the car is warmed-up. If you smell unburned, liquid fuel, the problem may not be the engine running rich but a fuel or fuel vapor leak somewhere.

 

[82ColEd]

Thanks for the advise, guys..

I did a quick check.. Online the AutoXray Ez-Scan 6000 in the US is around $300 shipped.. Then i checked here, i found 1 (one!) seller online, who wants 515 Euro for it (thats $730!).. Whooo.. I will call my regular US tools store in Frankfurt and see if they have one, and if not, can get one for me and have it shipped.. :ugh

82X: I didnt remove anything off the car (I cant, EU laws), but i was thinking maybe the O2 sensor.. Then again, i replaced the CTS on the first round and while necessary (the old one crumbled), it bettered the idle just slightly.

But as i said, i want to confirm things now before i go at it.

Hib: Yep, definitly strange. It's not exhaust smell, but fuel. Maybe a little info helps: I had to get the car repaired in a garage i dont trust (and paid a LOT of money for) to try and get the oil spillages cleaned up, as else i wouldnt have gotten it titled. The local state inspectors are VERY picky when it comes to that.

I had them do (then):

Kurbelwellensimmerring und OelWannen Dichtung
(Crank Shaft oil ring(?) and oil pan gasket)

Oelwannen Dichtung des Automatikgetriebes
(Oil pan gasket of the automatic transmission)

Differential eingang abdichten
(Seal differential entry)


Then a seal in the tranny blew and they dropped the tranny and took it apart and replaced the seal. She is still sligthly dripping, a drop here or there, but i supported the economy at least and got the title. :eyerole

Also, and i have to look up the bill, i believe they did the header gaskets. Is it possible that i am having some blow by from there?

I am guessing into the blue, hence my thought of hooking up a scanner to see what the data says. My thoughts at this point are:
- checking the headers/covers to make sure they are solid
- O2 sensor
- Maybe the cat is blocked (cat hasnt been replaced in 15 years that i know the car)
- Fuel filter blocked
- fuel pump, though that should be an easy one, i am wary the 85 pump would force too much fuel, still need to get my head around that one.

Also, the smell only happens when i stomp on it. Driving around, just getting up to operating temp, it doesnt smell. Normally, i get OT just when i park the car (either at home or at the office), normally no smell. But, when i get a little spirited driving in, ie. someone get's on my nerves and i stomped on the fun pedal and i launch her a few times, she get's hotter and then, when i park her, she smells like liqued fuel. And it seems to emanate it from the front end.

While issue chasing (old thread: LINK), i replaced the EGR Valve, the CTS, all spark plugs (2 of which were black, sooty!), and the IAC motors (and handmade gaskets, ha!). Things looked up a bit from before but it's still not right. My seat of the pants feeling is: Thats not what she ran like..



Thanks for the tip with the scanner, i shall look into that one.

 

[TimAT]

You might also check Ebay for a Snap-On MT2500 Scanner- just make sure it's got a cartridge for your model year. No idea of price, but since Snap-on has updated the scanner line they sell you might be able to pick up an old one cheap.