Fuel Injector code P0172 'Too Rich'

29847 Views 11 Replies 6 Participants Last post by Aaron Cake, Jun 2, 2005

geoffreyhawk

Discussion Starter · May 31, 2005

Our VIN #148 (2000) has had four O2 sensors replaced under warranty.
In 2004 we footed the bill for yet another O2 sensor out of warranty.

Now this month we have a similar idle surging issue (200 - 2500 RPM with stalling, battery drained, engine light on), and took it to the shop. Shop says code # is P0172, which means 'fuel mixture too rich'. They want to replace the fuel injectors (three of them I presume) for $850.

We purchased this car to a) save the environment and b) save money. If we have $1,000 repair bills every year we cannot meet objective #2.

Service man says the fuel injectors need to be replaced -- so I ask this forum:

Why so many bad O2 sensors, and why now the fuel injectors?

Cannot the fuel injectors be flushed or somehow cleaned, rather than replaced?

Thanks.

Geoffrey Smith
#148
Red
Stick
Cal Lic 'CLEANER'
858.442.1425

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Rick

· #3 · May 31, 2005

Wow sorry to hear that. Have you had the ECM recall done? Part of this "emissions recall" also fixed a known bug that caused O2 sensor codes to be set (at least I think). That's a very very early vin number.

Fuel injectors can be cleaned, but it's not necessarily the best fix. You should have shops near you that specialize in injector cleaning. Also, it is best if you do have all the injectors done at once because imbalance between injectors can cause problems down the road. Also, if it really is running too rich that will foul your 02 sensors fairly rapidly.

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Rick

· #7 · Jun 1, 2005

Another thought, after you have some stuff done like Aaron suggested, I'd take it to a shop that specializes in emission repairs and have them run it on their gas analyzer. This could tell you if it is still running rich or not after having it fixed. Like Aaron said, you don't want to foul your catylitic converters, they're almost two grand to have replaced.

Oxygen sensors do wear out over time, but 4 in that period of time is way too many.

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