Will running slightly lean hurt the engine?
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Indiana
Will running slightly lean hurt the engine?
I have a diablo tuner for a 99 4.6L F150, and I was wondering if running the engine lean was bad for it. I tried it for 1 tank and got 1.5 mpgs better, with getting 13-14 regularly this is a pretty big improvement. So anyone have any suggestions? Thanks.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Calgary, Canada
Running an engine too lean will make it run hotter, it can also cause hot spots and burn holes in valves and pistons. Whether or not those tuners will even allow you to run an engine 'too' lean in terms of being fool proof; I can't really say, but if the tuner allows full control of fuel rates, I'd be careful.
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Hi Danger-Ranger-Dude,
Yes, running an engine too lean WILL damage the engine - no 2 ways about it - as well as reduce power, damage the exhaust system, etc.
However, you will not know if you are actually running lean or rich without doing proper datalogging, to include both no-load datalogging as well as under load with a proper wide-band A/F recorder that can compensate for different types of fuels.
You cannot ever determine that a vehicle is lean or rich just by seat of the pants, MPG, smell, sound, etc. - that can be done only by proper datalogging.
Yes, running an engine too lean WILL damage the engine - no 2 ways about it - as well as reduce power, damage the exhaust system, etc.
However, you will not know if you are actually running lean or rich without doing proper datalogging, to include both no-load datalogging as well as under load with a proper wide-band A/F recorder that can compensate for different types of fuels.
You cannot ever determine that a vehicle is lean or rich just by seat of the pants, MPG, smell, sound, etc. - that can be done only by proper datalogging.
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Outlawwv
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