Stated a new thread on this. (i'm trying to isolate a presistant problem by understanding how the different components work together)
Othere then retarding the timing, would the knock sensor cause an adjustment in the fuel curve? Reason i ask, the tail pipes are covered with carbon and i get a unburned gas smell when i drive the car.New O2 sens,NO codes, clogged cat, bad injectors or preasure regulator. already went down that road. Also, would an air temp sense. cause these symptoms as well. Every now and then i get an "check engine light", wich then disapears. It's always the O2 sensor rich code. Gotta figure out why it's getting rich and these sensors our my current thought after reseaching othere usefull threads on here.thanks

Stated a new thread on this. (i'm trying to isolate a presistant problem by understanding how the different components work together)
Othere then retarding the timing, would the knock sensor cause an adjustment in the fuel curve? Reason i ask, the tail pipes are covered with carbon and i get a unburned gas smell when i drive the car.New O2 sens,NO codes, clogged cat, bad injectors or preasure regulator. already went down that road. Also, would an air temp sense. cause these symptoms as well. Every now and then i get an "check engine light", wich then disapears. It's always the O2 sensor rich code. Gotta figure out why it's getting rich and these sensors our my current thought after reseaching othere usefull threads on here.thanks

I have the same question. Need engen type the 2000 2.4 dos not meter the air intake flow! The temp of the air may be more importent for the computer to regulate the engen. My car will knock in hot wether and the computer will limit rpm. It coul be due to other issues as posable streched timing chane or bad sensor. As in your case I have changed a lot of componets as it has 200,000 miles on it.

The fuel smell is possably the fuel presser regulator thay are known to leek. Mine leeked intermitly it would stop when the heat from the engen caused the metal to expand and get a good seal. Evently it got worse and leaked constly and was easy to spot. Even if it was replaced i would watch it and the fuel rail. If you can smell gas while driving the oder must come from the engen compartment or you woud only notice it when stopped.

PS. I AM PRETTY SURE YOU ARE NOT ALLOWED TO START A NEW POST ON THE SAME ISSUE.
I HOPE THIS IS NOT DELETED BOFOR YOU SEE IT.

As stated in your "other" thread, your timming chain could be streached causing the irregular timming.
If your IAT is bad, it will run rich.

Also what brand of O2 sensors did you use ??

Here are some testing procedures for various sensors,
probly best to test your components before you waste money on something that's not broke.
Tips and Maintenance (http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/forumdisplay.php?f=2148)

Btw-even clogged/bad injectors or a fuel pressure regulator,
can cause your engine to run a little rich.

But you never gave your mileage or engine size so Good Luck..

..thanks for the reply. It's not the chain, already been replaced with the tentioner. 95 GA, 2.3l with 130,000 miles. Motor been rebuilt. Couldn't wait to test sensors, spent the 30$ and replaced the knock and air temp sense. Also, took the cat. off temperarly just to see if it was posable clooged.(straight pipe in place wile running)runs noticable better, but still rich. Honestly, the only sensor i haven't replaced on this car is the cam sensor...I'm out of ideas here.