how do i adjust my fuel??



my car is running very rich... i can smell the fuel while i'm driving... also, there's some kind of back pressure; i hear popping sounds coming from the exhaust... is there a problem with this? help please.



i have a 86 FC3S non-turbo 5spd

 

if you can smell fuel while driving, you might have a fuel leak. check out your pulsation damper before you start adjusting stuff.

 

The popping in the exhaust is caused by unburned gas in your exhaust, i.e. running too rich. I've seen backfires due to faulty ignition modules blow the ends right off a muffler. Check to make sure all your plugs are getting a good hot spark. You should also check the timing.



How does the car run otherwise? Does it pull strong, or does it cut out?

 

I'm with 1988rdeT2, sounds like bad spark. But like Baldy said also check the pulsation damper. They do leak and will set your engine bay on fire. hot spart=nice and blue. I had this same prob with my 1st gen. Didn't smell the fuel but started back firing and would cut out/buck & higher rpm's Checked the spark and it was crap.

 

ok, thanks...



my car does run great, very strong... no problems with running..



what is the pulsation dampener? how do i check if it's bad?

i already have new plugs and wires ordered for my car - NGK



can i check the timing myself? i don't have a timing light...



thanks for the input.

 

here's how to make a cheap timing light:

link

 

As for the pulsation damper, it is at the end of your primary fuel rail (the end opposite the firewall), which is under your upper intake manifold. For the 2 n/a FC's that I've seen, the PD has a yellowish plastic cap covering it. You can see the PD and reach it without removing your UIM. Look and feel for fuel leaking around it. The shop manual says, to check if it's working, to start your car and let it idle. Feel the PD with your finger/hand to see if you can feel it pulsating. If it's not, it needs to be replaced.

 

thanks.... that's the best help i've received so far... hehe

 

no problem. Also check all around your fuel rails, and injectors for fuel leaks. Once you've determined that there are no fuel leaks, then address the issue of running too rich.

 

do everything Baldy said but don't procrastinate on checking the timing, could be the primary problem.