PCM Diagnostics & Tuning HP Tuners | Holley | Diablo

Running Lean, only after startup

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 26, 2009 | 08:24 AM
  #1  
Kevin Doe's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: Fairfield, OH
Default Running Lean, only after startup

I have noticed over the years that when I start my car, it runs very lean compared to commanded for a short while. Then it seems to fall into a BEN of ~0.98-1.00. I command 14.65 AFR in my idle cells. I have tuned the start such that I get a perfect start with minimal rpm flare. It starts very quickly, hot or cold w/o touching the gas pedal.

Now, for some reason it starts and runs in the 16-17 AFR range for like 2-3 minutes after I start it, if I just let it idle to warm up. Once its warm up, my AFRs are perfect. It doesn't have to do with the IAT, as I'm on COS3 and I've tuned the A0014 table pretty extensively and it seems to do a pretty good job.

Does this point to a deficiency in the IAT/ECT temperature blending for my engine? I do not have the coolant lines routed through my throttle body like normal, and my intake system differs significantly from stock (its a dual ramhorn looking 3.5" intake system going to two seperate cone filters behind big openings in the bumper cover.

Seems like its not a problem with the commanded AFR, but the actual resultant AFR. What tables/curves/settings effect acutal AFR, but not commanded after startup?

Anyone care to point me into the right direction?
Reply
Old May 26, 2009 | 09:27 AM
  #2  
moehorsepower's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 2,334
Likes: 17
From: Texas
Default

Originally Posted by Kevin Doe
I have noticed over the years that when I start my car, it runs very lean compared to commanded for a short while. Then it seems to fall into a BEN of ~0.98-1.00. I command 14.65 AFR in my idle cells. I have tuned the start such that I get a perfect start with minimal rpm flare. It starts very quickly, hot or cold w/o touching the gas pedal.

Now, for some reason it starts and runs in the 16-17 AFR range for like 2-3 minutes after I start it, if I just let it idle to warm up. Once its warm up, my AFRs are perfect. It doesn't have to do with the IAT, as I'm on COS3 and I've tuned the A0014 table pretty extensively and it seems to do a pretty good job.

Does this point to a deficiency in the IAT/ECT temperature blending for my engine? I do not have the coolant lines routed through my throttle body like normal, and my intake system differs significantly from stock (its a dual ramhorn looking 3.5" intake system going to two seperate cone filters behind big openings in the bumper cover.

Seems like its not a problem with the commanded AFR, but the actual resultant AFR. What tables/curves/settings effect acutal AFR, but not commanded after startup?

Anyone care to point me into the right direction?
If it starts up and idles fine then a 15-16 AFR is fine, even at cruise this is ok since there is no load on the engine. Usually you need a richer mixture at startup but if your starts ok then leave it. A lot of people worry about cruising with ARR's in the 15 and 16's, this makes for better fuel economy but of course you do not want this at wot...
Reply
Old May 26, 2009 | 11:28 AM
  #3  
Kevin Doe's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: Fairfield, OH
Default

Originally Posted by moehorsepower
If it starts up and idles fine then a 15-16 AFR is fine, even at cruise this is ok since there is no load on the engine. Usually you need a richer mixture at startup but if your starts ok then leave it. A lot of people worry about cruising with ARR's in the 15 and 16's, this makes for better fuel economy but of course you do not want this at wot...
Its not an issue of where its idling at as far as AFR, its an issue that the actual is so far off of the command only during warmup. Once its up to temp, the actual and command are within 1%.
Reply
Old May 26, 2009 | 12:25 PM
  #4  
RedHardSupra's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,904
Likes: 2
From: Laurel, MD
Default

is that a real lean or a fake lean?
Reply
Old May 26, 2009 | 02:49 PM
  #5  
Kevin Doe's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: Fairfield, OH
Default

Not sure to be honest. I have a large cam, so I'm not sure that at idle my WB02 is accurate, however it should be precise. Since it reads normal once the engine is warm I'm thinking its actually lean during warmup. I've even let the senor warmup fully to make sure its not a sensor warmup effect or something like that.
Reply
Old May 26, 2009 | 06:28 PM
  #6  
RedHardSupra's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,904
Likes: 2
From: Laurel, MD
Default

is this something that comes and goes or does it happen every time?
Reply
Old May 27, 2009 | 07:48 AM
  #7  
Kevin Doe's Avatar
Thread Starter
On The Tree
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 141
Likes: 0
From: Fairfield, OH
Default

Every time.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:28 AM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE