Quick question

[Carney Woods]

I went to see a 90 hatch for a friend of mine. Overall the car was in good shape and looked well taken care of. I would like some opinions of the problems I saw and see if it's worth the trouble.

1st the check engine light is on: the dude said it was because of the o/r h-pipe and it's been on since then. When I put mine on my light never came on but I have an SD car is there a difference? I didn't think so. He said he never tried resetting the computer could this be the prob? Or worse?

2nd after a quick spin I pulled the dipstick to check the oil color and it was fine but there was some smoke coming out of the dipstick hole. What could that be? The car has sat for a while could it be condensation? My fear is the rings are gone/going but there was absolutly NO smoke out of the pipes (and I had the guy rev it while I stood out back) and the car wasn't running hot but the dipstick was pretty warm.

Any feedback would be appreciated

Thanks

 

[Carney Woods]

Anyone?

 

[1991vert]

fox bodies dont care about offroad pipes unless the o2 sensor isnt plugged into the harness. i forgot to plug mine in on one side before and the thing went off.

and about the dipstick, i've never heard of that. maybe just dirty old oil? the dipstick just goes into a tube which goes straight into the oil pan... was the car low on oil?

 

[1991vert]

if you cant determine the source of the check engine light, either borrow or go buy a thing at pepboys or auatozone that pulls the codes from the OBCD (computer harness in engine bay). then check the codes and see if it's anything major. it comes wiht a book so you should be able to tell on the spot.

 

[Carney Woods]

It was full of oil but maybe it is s*it oil? and the guy said he changed the O2 sensors but maybe he screwed the wiring I don't know any other ideas?

 

[TheUser]

yeah i'd pull codes...search for jrichker and he has several posts on how to pull codes w/ just a paperclip.

the smoke out of the dipstick tube is prob just oil burning off of the hot tube...I pulled mine the other day and it did the same thing...kinda wondered why myself, but after thinking about it, prob. just oil burning.

my o/r h pipe does not produce a code by the way, like someone said, maybe if the an o2 isn't hooked up or is bad or something.

 

[Carney Woods]

Yeah the oil thing doesn't concern me all that much I just havn't seen it too often. I will pull the codes before I give my approval on the car thanks guys!

C

 

[jrichker]

As requested...

Dump the codes and see what the computer says is wrong…

Here's the link to dump the computer codes with only a jumper wire or paper clip and the check engine light, or test light or voltmeter. I’ve used it for years, and it works great.

See http://www.troublecodes.net/Ford/
OR
See http://www.dalidesign.com/hbook/eectest.html for more descriptive help
OR
See http://www.mustangworks.com/articles/electronics/eec-iv_codes.html

 

[cjman15]

just change the oil and check on the o2 sensors... you'll be fine

 

[Carney Woods]

kool thanks guys