P0172 System Too Rich (Bank 1) Error Code - Please Help!

[samk844]

Hi,

I just bought a used Chevrolet Spark. I noticed that its engine check light is on. On checking via scanner it returned this code:

P0172 System Too Rich (Bank 1)

Its owner says that this problem appeared after the car was left in strong rain for 1-2 days. So, it might have appeared due to some power issue due to rain.

Anyone else experienced the similar problem?? Any ideas??

Regards

[mZm1]

May be if you switch Bank1 Oxygen Sensor with Bank 2 Oxygen Sensor and then check if the code appears now in Bank 2 then the Oxygen Sensor may be faulty !

This will at least give an idea the issue is electrical or not. If not electrical then look for the following items:

1- Air Cleaner Element Condition and any looseness in the Air System Ducts which might be causing air leakages
2- MAF sensor condition, dirt on it or some foreign material adherance
3- Leaking Fuel Injectors, symptoms of leaking fuel injectors could be found on the spark plugs

[corps]

The system detects Air-Fuel ratio using a set of O2 and Air-Fuel sensors. Too rich is a condition where the ECM believes there is too much fuel to air being supplied (or so it thinks). There maybe an accompanying code for MAF or O2.

Think of it as your car getting either too much fuel or too less of air. This can be due to overstatement or understatement of fuel-side and air-side sensors. More symptoms needed to diagnose further.

[samk844]

Hmmm... Well... my mechanic when removed the exhaust sensors, the check light disappeared. So, he opened the exhaust and cleaned it. Replaced plugs and checked all air intake system as well (pipes, air filter, etc). The check light still didn't disappear at that time. Then he asked me to drive for a few days and see if it disappears.

And it disappeared in just half a day after that. So, I guess things are okay now.