I have a 2002 EX 5sp with 107K miles. Changed the plugs a couple weeks ago and noticed the metal part was sooty. The insulator was fairly clean for 100K+. Just rechecked the and noticed the same thing. The new plugs are sooty aroun the threads but the insulator is clean white. While cruising, my LTFT is staying around -7%, at idle both long and short fuel trims go to -10%. Any ideas?

when the engine is cold, start it, do you have ruff idle? check your exhaust sytem when its running, do you see any black smoke? if not then you arent running rich, plus that car isnt that old, it shouldnt be running rich

Yes, its a little rough when cold. Last couple of mornings, it felt like a tire had a flat spot. It's not so rich that smoke is getting past the cat and the plugs aren't fouled, just some fluffy black on the metal part. Insulators are clean white. I guess the O2 sensor is reading correctly since its trying to lean it out, but what would make it rich in the first place. Only mods are homemade CAI and throttle body coolant bypass. Maybe I'm just paranoid and everything is ok. My other vehicles have always run around +/-3%. I don't know if the Accord has always done this or not (wife's car and this is the first problem I've found). Also noticed the Throttle position says 10% even when closed, is that normal?

hm....idk, but try cleaning your injectors and throttle body, because my accord runs very rich when its cold because i have a carb. and the slow choke heater doesnt open until the engine runs for a bit, but try cleaning the injectors and throttle body.

, because my accord runs very rich when its cold because i have a carb. and the slow choke heater doesnt open until the engine runs for a bit,
Here you go again with cars, Rissiankid. Yeah, I know you said YOU have a carb. But he doesn't care!

Here you go again with cars, Rissiankid. Yeah, I know you said YOU have a carb. But he doesn't care!
but i told him my car runs rich also, but i told him i got a carb and why its running rich, then i gave him advice, so i dont see the point of your quote

Rechecked the plugs last night. I'm currently running a tank of injector cleaner through. The plugs look a little better and my fuel trims have eased down around -7% now, so I guess its not too bad. I realized after talking with my wife that it could be her driving style. She's been feather footing it trying to maximize the mileage, so it could be it just needs blowing out. Also she does mostly city driving with lots of idling. Anyone ever tried Seafoam? I've heard its supposed to do a good job of cleaning out the cylinders, but I've also heard it can damage O2 sensors and stuff.
(Thanks for the help Russiankid, at least you replied. And personally, I prefer carbs.)

Rechecked the plugs last night. I'm currently running a tank of injector cleaner through. The plugs look a little better and my fuel trims have eased down around -7% now, so I guess its not too bad. I realized after talking with my wife that it could be her driving style. She's been feather footing it trying to maximize the mileage, so it could be it just needs blowing out. Also she does mostly city driving with lots of idling. Anyone ever tried Seafoam? I've heard its supposed to do a good job of cleaning out the cylinders, but I've also heard it can damage O2 sensors and stuff.
(Thanks for the help Russiankid, at least you replied. And personally, I prefer carbs.)
np, maybe you should start driving it :lol2: