More Howell help

[thescot]

Ok...getting back to things I seem to have a overly rich fueling issue when not in closed loop (still cold). Did the TPS voltage check and cleaned the IAC ports and installed a new 4 wire 02 sensor for good measure. Initial fire up it looks like there is considerably more fuel coming from the outboard injector then the inboard. No codes, seems to run fine once warm. I will say I have a somewhat squished rubber return line on top of the tank which I still have to tackle and may not be an issue,but it would seem if to high of fuel pressure from this return Id have problems all the time? Im gonna see if I can dig up a pressure gauge setup on the way home from work today to verify 12psi.

 

[Torxhead]

I also have a rich fuel mixture while in open loop, maybe if we lived in snow country it wouldn't be so bad. I would think the computer chip could be reworked for a leaner mixture in start up mode, I will be doing some research on that. If you have a compressed 1/4" fuel return line, it could eventually wear through and a bad situation could result. A restricted fuel return line will increase fuel pressure as you suspect. Fuel pressure is best checked as close to the tbi as you can get. It is adjustable from underneath the tbi between the fuel inlet and outlet with a small screwdriver.

edit: one factor here with open loop operation is that the map sensor is set up correctly per Howell instructions and keeping the vacumn line between the tbi and map sensor on the short side.

 

[thescot]

I did some diggin last night and pulled the return line off the TB. I can blow air thru it pretty easily with my mouth so Id say its not plugged. I saw where the MAP should have no longer than a 12" MAX line it it so I relocated it closer to the TB with a short line to it. By the time I get home it should be pretty close to out of gas so its time to drop the tank to repair the questionable line I mentioned.
Now FYI Ive done hours of browsin on the subject and have found numerous posts in various places indicating the same issue. Some of the guys have had Howell burn a new chip to lean up the cold start fueling so that might be an option. Guess its not that big of a deal once warmed up. Seems the relocation of the MAP may have helped as it sure runs nice. I do strangely enough still get a single CEL flash once the key if turned to on. It does stay lit up while cranking the engine like it supposed to, Ive also checked voltages thru the system to verify there's negligible loss if any from old wiring.

 

[Torxhead]

On that fuel return line, some guys go to 5/16" or 3/8" to eliminate any issues there. Maybe I'll call Howell on getting a new chip.

 

[zilla]

I installed TBI on my AMC 304 . Started getting an O2 code. Checked inlet pressure and it was like 40 psi.. Removed the vent line and back to 12/. So now the first thing I do is verify my inlet and return pressures.

 

[thescot]

The line plugged to the Charcoal can, or you talking about the return line?

 

[zilla]

The return line.

 

[Jeep1985]

"I do strangely enough still get a single CEL flash once the key if turned to on. It does stay lit up while cranking the engine like it supposed to"

Did you ever figure out why the light flashes once while cranking? I recently installed a Howell kit and mine does the same thing. Light stays lit while cranking, except for one little blink during the crank cycle. I am getting ready to smog it, so I don't want this to be a hindrance.

 

[Torxhead]

"I do strangely enough still get a single CEL flash once the key if turned to on. It does stay lit up while cranking the engine like it supposed to"

Did you ever figure out why the light flashes once while cranking? I recently installed a Howell kit and mine does the same thing. Light stays lit while cranking, except for one little blink during the crank cycle. I am getting ready to smog it, so I don't want this to be a hindrance.

If you do not have a cel on when running, you should go ahead and get it smogged. You might want to check for any codes that have been recorded anyway.

 

[Jeep1985]

If you do not have a cel on when running, you should go ahead and get it smogged. You might want to check for any codes that have been recorded anyway.

Thanks Torx. I checked the codes via the jumper. It looks like all I am getting is the code 12. I ordered an OBD1 scanner off ebay- waiting for its arrival. In response to your comment, no, I dont have any light once the engine is running. This new Howell is great. I have been running it around town through all gear/RPM combinations with no issues. I think I'll give it a whirl...

Thanks again!