ok so i read the codes on my 95 f150 with 300 6 and m5OD...i gather from the codes that the truck is running lean (right side) which i kinda figured just by sniffing exhaust fumes anyways i researched it a bit and i came up with either a vacuum leak or the O2 sensor i just replaced the O2 sensor last night which cost damn near a third of my last paycheck and now i can see the exhaust fumes as well as smell em...still smells rich but i can hardly see my breath i shouldnt be seeing exhaust fumes up to 40km/h i need some help guys anything else possibly causing this it burns fuel wayyy more than it should and the way gas is im gonna go broke

any suggestions would be appreciated thanks

 

What were the codes you pulled from the computer?

If it is useing too much gas it would not be running lean.

What codes does it show now after clearing them and driving it some?

 

you say it smells rich and is smoking black, but the codes say its running lean??? that might be why the computer is dumping extra fuel into the engine.

did you unplug the battery after changing the 02 sensor?

what do you mean "right side"?

this reminds me of when i had an exhaust leak before the 02 sensor on my mustang. the exhaust gasses rushing by the leak sucked outside air in and made my 02 sensors read leaner than it really was. the ecu then dumped wicked amounts of fuel into the engine and it still wasnt enough so it threw a CEL. is your CEL on?

what were the exact codes?

whens the last time you had a tuneup?

 

i got codes 172,122
code 122 is TPS circuit has intermittently failed below minimum 0.6 volts.
code 172 is HEGO sensor circuit indicates system lean (right side)

it sounds like it might have an exhaust leak but i didnt think that would kill the mileage but if its upstream of the O2 sensor it makes sense

the truck isnt smoking black though its white but it was just too visible for the outside temp.

and i havent had a tuneup yet im too broke

so maybe "right side" means O2 sensor cause its on the right side of the engine right which leads to an exhaust leak ill reset it tomorrow and see what it does i got work tomorow so its about a 1/4 tank so ill see how it responds to that

 

this is an educated guess, but im betting they just modified the existing V8 ecu to run the 6. On a V8 yuoll have a left and right bank. the 300 has intake and exhaust all on the right side. Doesnt matter, the point is the ecu is telling you youre lean.

if its smoking white, youre burning coolant, which might be a simple fix, or a total PITA. you might have a coolant leak somewhere on the intake or near the TB, or you might have a busted head gasket. how many miles? Are you constantly filling yuor coolant system? how many miles?

A good way to tell if its actually running lean without spending any money is to pull a couple of plugs and analyze them. that way youll know if its actually running lean or not.

You have no money to waste, so i would save what money you do have until you are more sure about what exactly is the problem. If you dont have money, you have to use mechanical talent, your tools, and some time on the thing. If you dont have any tools or dont have time or dont know how to work on engines, youll end up paying more money in labor for someone else to do it. As a broke college student with 2 older vehicles, i can sympathize with your situation.

Heres to hoping it isnt head gaskets! if it is youre screwed.

 

i just put new plugs in it the old ones looked good still...ya ive filled the coolant twice this month the first time it wasnt too low but i filled it monday and it was way down there almost took a whole medium size jug however much that is truck has an oil leak on the rear driverside looks like its coming from up top somewhere its not bad enough to leave an oil spot but its bad enough to make it to the trans. truck has 327000(KM) as of today

 

yeah youre burning coolant buddy. sounds like a head gasket if its burniing it that quickly. I would definitely check the little coolant hoses running around under there first though, as a matter of course.

Be glad your truck is easier to work on than a new one!

Hope its not your dd!

 

dd? i can do any work myself between me the shop and one of the other 12 mechanics at the shop its just the cost of the parts

 

Here is a thought.

Does the exhaust have a sweet smell ~ coolant flow

Or does the exhaust have a burnt oil smell ~ oil issue? (this one would be white with a blue tint)

Since you have access to a shop, you could cut the guesswork and perform a leakdown test...or in the very least a simple compression test, and if inconclusive a coolant system pressure test. This would tell you if youve blown a head gasket etc.

Once you figured that out, if the engine still runs bad, check the tps sensor, a faulty TPS sensor will screw up your mpg and cause drivability issues.

 

dd = daily driver

 

ya its an only child hahaha ya its coolant cause its not blue and it doesnt go through oil like it does coolant either well ill try yet again to get it in to the shop tonight thanks again guys