Help! '93 Protege emissions problem...

[Soundy]

Helping a friend with his '93 Protege (1.8l, EFI, SOHC, auto) - it blows a bit of blue when cold, then once it warms up it spews a lot of black smoke when he hits the gas. Driving behind him, I don't smell any burning oil, it just smells like it's running REALLY rich. Hydrocarbon reading on emissions test is 'way up, all other readings are well within spec.

I suspect the O2 sensor is bad, possibly clogged with burned oil, and causing it to run extra rich... is anyone familiar with O2 sensor operation on these cars, and thinks this might be likely? Is there any simple way (DMM or something) to test that the O2 sensor is working at all? I was quoted $80+ for a replacement, so it's not something I want to just swap out to "see if that might be problem."

A mechanic suggested a clogged catalytic converter as a culprit in the increased HC reading and figured new plugs might help, but neither explains it running so hideously rich.

I know plugging in a diagnostic computer is the best idea, but that would be another $60-$80 at all the shops he's asked at so far. I'm not even so concerned with getting the thing perfect right now (he's got a tight budget and a baby due in a month), just need to get it past the emissions test (one reading was .9-something, another was .544, pass is .500!)

Any help/info greatly appreciated.

[crispixoo7]

go to wal-mart and buy some "no-smoke" it is really thick and it goes in with your oil.....it works (u need about 3/4 bottles depending on how bad it is)...not a drastic change, but it helps.

[Soundy]

go to wal-mart and buy some "no-smoke" it is really thick and it goes in with your oil.....it works (u need about 3/4 bottles depending on how bad it is)...not a drastic change, but it helps.

He already ran a bottle of no-smoke, plus running 20W-50 oil, and a bottle of "Guaranteed to Pass" along with ethanol-blended gas. The problem is not burning oil, it's the engine running too rich, ie. the computer is dumping WAY too much gas into the mixture. No-Smoke isn't going to help that.

[Salmon_Rob]

go to autozone. order a generic o2 sensor for 25 dollars. replace it. problem solved!
Helping a friend with his '93 Protege (1.8l, EFI, SOHC, auto) - it blows a bit of blue when cold, then once it warms up it spews a lot of black smoke when he hits the gas. Driving behind him, I don't smell any burning oil, it just smells like it's running REALLY rich. Hydrocarbon reading on emissions test is 'way up, all other readings are well within spec.

I suspect the O2 sensor is bad, possibly clogged with burned oil, and causing it to run extra rich... is anyone familiar with O2 sensor operation on these cars, and thinks this might be likely? Is there any simple way (DMM or something) to test that the O2 sensor is working at all? I was quoted $80+ for a replacement, so it's not something I want to just swap out to "see if that might be problem."

A mechanic suggested a clogged catalytic converter as a culprit in the increased HC reading and figured new plugs might help, but neither explains it running so hideously rich.

I know plugging in a diagnostic computer is the best idea, but that would be another $60-$80 at all the shops he's asked at so far. I'm not even so concerned with getting the thing perfect right now (he's got a tight budget and a baby due in a month), just need to get it past the emissions test (one reading was .9-something, another was .544, pass is .500!)

Any help/info greatly appreciated.

[Soundy]

go to autozone. order a generic o2 sensor for 25 dollars. replace it. problem solved!

Thanks... now if I just had an Autozone in Vancouver, BC... :)

I'd love to find a local source for a cheap generic sensor but all the shops I've tried so far only have the Bosch unit at $80+

[Salmon_Rob]

LOL i paid 20 for a bosch, with a 5 dollar transfer fee. lemme see if i can still get it and ill set something up with you

[Salmon_Rob]

BOSCH (http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?UseCase=C001&UserAction=performMoreDetail&Parameters=TRUE%7C%7EO2+SENSOR%7C%7ENONE%7C%7EBOSC H%7C%7EUNIVERSAL+++++++++++%7C%7EFALSE%7C%7EFALSE% 7C%7E4966%7C%7E449%7C%7E11027%7C%7ENONE%7C%7E%2417 .99%7C%7EMAZDA%7C%7EPROTEGE%7C%7E1993%7C%7E3+MO%7C %7ENONE%7C%7ENONE%7C%7EB)
UNIVERSAL (http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?UseCase=C001&UserAction=performMoreDetail&Parameters=TRUE%7C%7EO2+SENSOR%7C%7ENONE%7C%7EBOSC H%7C%7EUNIVERSAL+++++++++++%7C%7EFALSE%7C%7EFALSE% 7C%7E4966%7C%7E449%7C%7E11027%7C%7ENONE%7C%7E%2417 .99%7C%7EMAZDA%7C%7EPROTEGE%7C%7E1993%7C%7E3+MO%7C %7ENONE%7C%7ENONE%7C%7EB) 110273 MO (http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?ForwardPage=az/customer_service/shopping_at_autozone/warranty.jsp) $17.99 http://www.autozone.com/images/icon_store_in.gifhttp://www.autozone.com/images/shopping/button_add_list.gif (http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?UseCase=O001&UserAction=parseShoppinglist&Parameters=O2+SENSOR%3D4966%3D449%24_)http://www.autozone.com/images/icon_web_in.gif http://www.autozone.com/images/shopping/button_buy_online.gif (http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?UseCase=O001&UserAction=parseShoppingCart&Parameters=O2+SENSOR%3D4966%3D6998%24_) http://www.autozone.com/images/grey_line.gif

[Salmon_Rob]

http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?UseCase=C001&UserAction=loadPage

see if that works

[Soundy]

http://www.autozone.com/servlet/UiBroker?UseCase=C001&UserAction=loadPage

see if that works
I finally found a Canadian Tire that lists a $30 unit in addition to the expensive one... works out about the same, after you figure exchange.

[Salmon_Rob]

glad to help!