95 SC1 Mosquito Sprayer - pt 2

Recap: My son’s car was using excess oil and has bad fuel mileage. Thinking the oil usage was leaky valve seals, I completed a valve job (this turned it into the mosquito sprayer). He drove it for a while and then asked someone else to look at it. I got the car back (with the head already removed) and replaced the rings and connector bearings (factory hone marks still in cylinder walls).

Current: Once running, Service Engine Light was on indicating a bad EGR valve (electronic) which I changed. I also changed the PCV valve. I’ve read were if the TCS (Temperature Control Sensor) is defective (cooler than normal) will cause low gas mileage, so I changed the TCS. After driving about 1,000 miles, he had to add 3 quarts of oil and fuel consumption is still bad. Service Engine Light is now intermittent still indicating bad EGR valve, I’m assuming because of the excessive oil and fuel consumption. I don’t what else to check.

WHen replacing the rings, its suggested to drill holes in the oil rings to help reduce the chance of them getting stuck again. I have a feeling you didnt do this.

Also, check the connector to the ECTS to make sure its corrosion free.

Also when cleaning the EGR, turn the car on with the EGR off to blow out any carbon from the EGR passageways

WHen replacing the rings, its suggested to drill holes in the oil rings to help reduce the chance of them getting stuck again. I have a feeling you didnt do this.


I'm not familiar with this, are you referring to holes in the rings or the piston were the oil ring is?

Even if I didn't drill holes, they're new rings.

High gas consumption: I replaced the ETCS connector which seems to help greatly. Now after the engine gets to normal operating temperature and above 2,200 rpm, it starts jerking.

High oil consumption: It's not as bad as it was, half quart at 300 miles. The oil is black (probably soot). Now that it's running better, I'll do an oil change and monitor it. I did read up on drilling the holes in the pistons, good idea but a little late now.

Q: What's the sensor above and forward of the ETCS? Looks just like the ETCS but with one wire.

The 1-wire ECTS, is just that...an engine coolant temp sensor. However this one reports to the gauge on the cluster. The 2-wire one reports to the PCM.

In '96 they modified this so that one sensor reports to both.

Also, make sure you put the wires on correctly and your are using NGK plugs. NO fancy plugs.

Pass ->driver
Engine: 1-2-3-4
Coil pack: 4-1-2-3

the plug thing is a misconception. no need to worry about it.

now elaborate about the jerking problem

Feels like the engine cuts out momentarily, also hesitates when attempting to accelerate (at freeway speed).

Pull the plugs out and look at them. It may be that since you had a bad connector on the ECTS, there are deposits or still soaked with gas.

Another thing to try is to remove the front o2 sensor and drive around. If you feel an increase in performance then it would suggest a clogged Cat

I've read some other postings about the thermostat possibly causing problems, low engine tempurature causing poor gas mileage.

At operating tempurature, the temp guage indicates less than 1/8, I'm to understand should be at or slightly above 1/4.

I replaced the thermostat and the guage now shows 1/4. I'll see how this goes.

The engine still has the jerks but did run a little better than before.

Removed and replace the O-2 sensor with a Bosch Universal ($17.99) vs OEM ($63.99), motor stopped jerking and seems to running normally now. Service Engine Light is no longer intermittent. I'll be checking the gas mileage.

Still investigating the bad oil usage.