I figured out my problem, now how to fix it (Runnig Rich)

[Synned]

I'm running rich. When I let my friend drive my car today I noticed some puffs of black smoke coming out of the tailpipes. This was also when the car hesitates bad. Is it possible to run rich at times and not others? This problem is not all the time, it doesn't seem like. The car will hesitate badly and this is while its running rich. What causes the car to run rich? I have backfire too. Is it one of the sensors? Does it need a tune, the car is stock though. Please help guys.

 

[Synned]

Does the IAT sensor make sense? This problem only seems to happen when the car is hot. Or maybe its just more noticable, i dont know. But so far I have:
Cleaned MAF twice
New plugs, wires, cap, rotor, o2's, ect.

Im about to take it to a mechanic :-.
The car also takes a long time to start, and sometimes when it does it wants to die right after. But this is sporradic.

 

[CManT1914]

Have you tried pulling the codes? What about checking for vacuum? A vacuum leak will cause it to run rich.

 

[Synned]

No codes...and I am going to check for a vaccuum leak. Where should I spray the carb cleaner just around the intake?

 

[Synned]

Could the IAT sensor be the source of this problem? When its hot it tells the engine to run rich?

 

[CManT1914]

Spray the carb cleaner around the intake, throttle body, injectors, vacuum lines etc.

I supposed the IAT could cause some problems. I've never heard of them going out though. It could also be your ECT. If you don't have a Hayne's manual, pick one up. It outlines some tests you can do with a digital multimeter to see if the sensors are still good.

 

[Synned]

I dunno what to do now guys. I replaced the IAT and ECT sensor. It runs rich when it gets hot. GRR It hesitates and backfires.

 

[Pokageek]

Did you ever figure this out??