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Obd1 code troubleshooting

Old Jul 16, 2025 | 10:55 AM
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Obd1 code troubleshooting

I have two codes that appear at medium to heavy load. They are 172 and 181 and i usually get spark knock while im under medium to heavy load. i run 93 octane so im fairly certain its not octane rating. im mechanical stupid so assume i don’t know much. thanks!
 
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Old Jul 16, 2025 | 11:18 AM
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What engine?

Those codes could be from the following:
- exhaust leak
- vacuum leak

What condition is your exhaust? Does it have full exhaust?

 
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Old Jul 16, 2025 | 11:31 AM
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Add low fuel pressure into a cause of those codes and pinging symptom.
 
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Old Jul 16, 2025 | 12:26 PM
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It’s got a 5.0 just had the muffler removed and new pipes added in its place. but it was doing this before that and is still doing it after.
 
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Old Jul 16, 2025 | 12:27 PM
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Originally Posted by rla2005
Add low fuel pressure into a cause of those codes and pinging symptom.
so maybe a fuel regulator?
 
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Old Jul 16, 2025 | 12:41 PM
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Measure the flow and running fuel pressure.. Dont be guessing..
 
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Old Jul 16, 2025 | 12:41 PM
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Could be regulator, pump or a clogged filter. Process of elimination by testing.
 
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Old Jul 16, 2025 | 01:18 PM
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Originally Posted by BluWhale1957
I have two codes that appear at medium to heavy load. They are 172 and 181 and i usually get spark knock while im under medium to heavy load. i run 93 octane so im fairly certain its not octane rating. im mechanical stupid so assume i don’t know much. thanks!
also idle is close to 1000 in park. just remembered that also
 
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Old Jul 16, 2025 | 01:22 PM
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Originally Posted by BluWhale1957
also idle is close to 1000 in park. just remembered that also
* points again to possible vacuum leak
Unplug IAC, does the idle change?
 
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Old Jul 16, 2025 | 01:53 PM
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Originally Posted by wwhite
* points again to possible vacuum leak
Unplug IAC, does the idle change?
dies immediately after i crank it
 
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Old Jul 16, 2025 | 02:00 PM
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Originally Posted by BluWhale1957
dies immediately after i crank it
then the IAC is working, and probably not a vacuum leak.
 
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Old Jul 17, 2025 | 04:52 AM
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Agree, check the fuel pressure and do a volume test
But
The upper intake gasket used to crack and come out on those early EFI 5.0's
Sometimes you can see the cracked gasket sticking out back behind the distributor
I'd sprat down the intake gaskets with some carb foam or brakleen and double check it for a vacuum leak
 
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