Hey there!
Sounds like your Ute is giving you some headaches again, but don’t worry—let’s try to get to the bottom of it. Since you mentioned that you swapped the spark plugs recently and it helped, but now it’s running rough and smelling rich, there are a few things that could be happening.
1. Check the Spark Plugs Again
Even though you changed the plugs a few months ago, it’s possible they’ve gotten fouled if the engine is running rich. Here’s what you can do:
- Pull the plugs and inspect them. If they’re black and sooty, that’s a sign your engine is running rich.
- Make sure the gap is correct on the plugs. An incorrect gap can lead to misfiring, which could cause the rough running under load.
2. Look at the Ignition Coils
If the spark plugs look fine, the issue could be with the
ignition coils. Since they work alongside the plugs, failing coils can cause rough running, especially under load. Here's what to do:
- Inspect the coils for any visible damage, like cracks or corrosion.
- If you’ve got a multimeter, you can test the coils to make sure they’re still functioning properly.
3. Check the Fuel System
A rich-running engine could point to a problem in the fuel system. You might want to check:
- Fuel injectors: If one is stuck open, it can dump too much fuel into the engine.
- Oxygen sensors: A faulty O2 sensor can send the wrong signals to your engine’s computer, causing it to run rich.
4. Mass Airflow Sensor (MAF)
The
MAF sensor measures the amount of air entering the engine. If it’s dirty or malfunctioning, it can cause the engine to run rich. Here’s a quick fix:
- Remove the MAF sensor and clean it with MAF cleaner. Just be careful not to damage it!
5. Exhaust Leak
Sometimes an
exhaust leak upstream of the O2 sensor can cause the engine to run rich. If you hear any
hissing or ticking noises from the exhaust, especially near the manifold, it might be worth checking out.
6. Further Resources
If you’re still stuck, it might be worth running a
diagnostic scan with an OBD2 tool. It’ll pull any error codes from the engine, which could point you in the right direction.
