newton

iTrader: (4)

For the longest time my power steering pump had a leak, and leaked all over the driver side primary O2 sensor connector. I went through two new O2s before I realized the male side of the O2 connector was dirty. Recently, my PS pump magically stopped leaking, so I used some Q-tips and some electronic cleaner to try and clean the sensor connector, but that only remedied the issue for a while.

The car seems to be running rich because of the dirty O2 sensor connector. Even with stock cats, it smells during idle, and there's soot all over the rear exhaust tips. It's also throwing a SES light and code for that particular O2 (even though it's not the O2 that has a problem).

Question - can I just send the car to a speed shop and get it tuned?

406malibu

if its the rear O2's, yes. if its the front O2's they will still need to be functioning properly, even with a good tune.

newton

iTrader: (4)

So can't have a SES light before going into tune?

406malibu

yea you can, they will be able to tell you whats wrong and how to fix it if its O2's

snake charmer

iTrader: (118)

a good tune can fix a lot . though if the o2 is not going to read right you will still have the same problem .

Scoggin Dickey

iTrader: (34)

I'm confused as to how the power steering pump leaked on something a few feet away from it.

Get a can of brake cleaner and spray it all over/in the connector, the fluid will practically melt right out of it, then the brake cleaner will dry up and leave it very clean.

A tune will not account for a poorly functioning O2.

406malibu

yup, thats what i was trying to say in previous post

12secSS

iTrader: (30)

After cleaning the connector, as Jesse (SDPC) mentioned, unplug the battery for at least 20 minutes to clear any learned fuel trims. It is running rich because of faulty reading from your faulty O2 connector, which the computer misunderstood as a lean condition and tried to add more fuel. Once the issue is resolved, you will be good to go. No tune needed, unless you realy want to.

406malibu

hmm that gets me thinking... i seem to be running rich after i installed my cutout, would this help?

Wesmanw02

iTrader: (4)

Possibly, because the ECU will have to re-learn the long and short term fuel trims. However, you would need to drive for a long time with the cutout open in order to optomize the fuel trims for the cutout.

newton

iTrader: (4)

It leaked down the line to the O2 connector. They're are not a few feet apart (more like inches).

Well, I was driving today and my SES went away. I'll drive around some more.

Scoggin Dickey

iTrader: (34)

Don't you try to fool me with your cunning ways and slanty eyes. I know the power steering is in the front of the engine and the O2s are behind it. I've never seen a V8 that was only a few inches front to back, even when counting in Yen.

newton

iTrader: (4)

I was counting in Amurican.