getafewlives

I just finished up installing my O/R H pipe but now it is running kind of weird. The car hesitates, has a wandering idle that sometimes drops low enough to stall. It also feels like it has a pretty big power loss.

Any common things I should check first before I really dig into finding the problem?

For MIL elims I made my own, and for the front O2 sensors I cut the harness and added in 6" of length. That's the only thing I can really think of that could be the issue.

Should also mention that the car has been parked since December. When I parked it I put in a full tank of gas, didnt add any additives though. I started the car up at least once a week and let it idle for a bit. I can't see gas going bad that quick though and it didn't have the issues before I swapped the pipe.

smitty2919

i would run a scanner on it....maybe it will pull some codes. i would go back to the 02 sensors, i was not a fan of making my own MIL's nor extnding the wires.

maybe look into a IAC valve or any leaking vac lines.

MU71L4710N

double check your work on the front 02 sensors. the rear 02 sensors don't do **** except trigger a CEL for non working cats (which you can drive around on for...2 years now and have no adverse affect to your car), however the front 02 sensors the car will adjust your air/fuel ratio based on what the front sensors read. and you doing your own slicing and dicing i don't know...and you shouldnt have needed to extend the front 02 sensors.

DreamerGT

yeah check those sensors. And also a sidenote no need to start your car and let it idle.

getafewlives

Alrighty I will check the front sensors and see if I ****ed anything up. The rear MILs appear to be working correctly because the CEL did go away when I put them in.

Is there anyway to test the o2 sensors with a digital multi meter?

Also, the O2 sensors on the H pipe are on the bottom, vs. being on the top on the stock pipe. Which is why I needed to extend the length. I just used butt connectors, perhaps I should have soldered... I would have soldered but my soldering iron was being a bitch and this new non lead solder pisses me off.

vanquish

I'd look into that butt connectors work alright i guess but i wouldn't want them outside under a car.

MU71L4710N

with engine vibration, heat, and hitting bumps i wouldnt trust those either, those will come undone pretty easily in the future.

cliffyk

Butt connectors are great, actually better than solder--IF filled with dielectric grease AND crimped with a staking type, or better yet full compression type, tool.

Without the grease and crimped with on of the cheap "squashing" type tools the suck big time...





The full compression crimpers shown are from Harbour Freight, they are $14.99 and often on sale for $10.

Also, narrow band O2 sensors can be tested--here's how...

getafewlives

I did not use any dielectric grease but I snagged a pair of the compression crimpers from work and used those. I also pulled pretty hard on each wire after crimping to ensure a good crimp.

cliffyk

Did you tape them up too? If so you should be OK...