Check Engine Code P0171 (Page 2): Jerry, if it is truly running lean you could waste the engine or at least burn the valves. There specific tests for each error code if properly run...

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

jerryc41 wrote:

Have any of you had experience with Check Engine c... (show quote)

Jerry, if it is truly running lean you could waste the engine or at least burn the valves.
There specific tests for each error code if properly run they usually will give the mechanic the info he needs to make the repair
Sounds like the mechanic at the dealer is not doing the full diagnosis procedure.

cdayton

As a Jaguar owner dating from the mid-60s, I am an expert on various check engine lights. The best, long-term solution is strategically placed pieces of color-coordinated tape that cover and hide the offending displays. I accept your thanks in advance.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Bill MN wrote:

Trade it in for a Honda Civic

Same company, same dealer network. I had two previous Civics, each for seventeen years. The first had about 125,000 miles, and the second (1997) had 305,000 when I traded it for a Fit. Neither had any problems - just standard wear/replacement items. I think a Prius will be next. Two friends with newish Honda CR-Vs have had more than their share of problems.

Jimmy T Loc: Virginia

Jerry, you are always so helpful to others. I hope that the UHH crew can help you. How about this for a lead? https://www.autocodes.com/p0171_honda.html

jerryc41 wrote:

Have any of you had experience with Check Engine c... (show quote)

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

cdayton wrote:

As a Jaguar owner dating from the mid-60s, I am an expert on various check engine lights. The best, long-term solution is strategically placed pieces of color-coordinated tape that cover and hide the offending displays. I accept your thanks in advance.

Right! Tape works fine until you bring the car for its annual inspection. I had lots of English cars, starting with my parents' 1958 Ford Prefect, and then some MGs. I eventually had a '67 Jag E-Type - excellent car.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Manglesphoto wrote:

...if properly run...

Correct! I've always done all the work on my cars, but P0171 is beyond me, and apparently, beyond the dealer. I've always dreaded a situation like this because the dealer can say anything, and I have no way of knowing if he's right. I'm going to see a good local mechanic on Monday.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

cochese wrote:

I worked for many years as a mechanic. Couple thin... (show quote)

The car made two trips to the Honda dealer. The injectors in the 2015 Fit have a reputation for being not-the-best. I'm hoping that the local mechanic I'll talk to on Monday will actually diagnose the problem.

ASE? Remember the forerunner of that - NIASE - National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence? Just for the fun of it, I took the test for engine repair and engine tune-up and passed them. Then I could buy and wear the patches on my shirts.

EDIT: Maybe you're not old enough, but do you remember Roger Huntington? He wrote technical articles for car magazines in the 60s and 70s. I liked reading whatever he wrote because it was factual and informative. He was the best.

http://www.mmshof.org/inductees/roger-huntington/

GED Loc: North central Pa

Check for intake manifold leak

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

jerryc41 wrote:

The car made two trips to the Honda dealer. The i... (show quote)

ASE is the biggest joke of the industry, Been there done that, its a multiple guess test ,if you get over 80% correct you is a ASE tech. I carried the card for a number of years because my employer paid me annually $100 for each certification plus another $100 for passing all seven, Hell I correctly answered questions on things I had never heard of.

cochese

Manglesphoto wrote:

ASE is the biggest joke of the industry, Been there done that, its a multiple guess test ,if you get over 80% correct you is a ASE tech. I carried the card for a number of years because my employer paid me annually $100 for each certification plus another $100 for passing all seven, Hell I correctly answered questions on things I had never heard of.

Maybe a joke to some, and yes tbe tests are not that hard. Try competing in a state or national competition that brings a vehicle with a known problem and a time limit to diagnose. No code readers allowed! Just a poorly running car and a "customer complaint". You then get a test drive of 2 miles or less and 30 minutes to diagnose. No flow charts, code readers allowed. You are allowed a pressure and vacuum gauge and a voltmeter. Ready set GO!

That's the difference between yesteryears mechanic and todays parts changers!

tgshoe Loc: North Texas

This code can be a result of a vacuum leak. If the mass air flow sensor has been cleaned it may need to be replaced as they do occasionally go bad. Sometimes this code is a result of unmetered air being introduced downstream of the MAF sensor. I would demand my $300 back, as the work performed had nothing to do with this code. Check engine lights are related to specific codes and those codes are related to a particular system. Once you know the code simply examine that system until you find the issue. In this case it is the fuel metering system on the car. either the computer is at the limit of the amount of fuel it can add to alleviate the lean condition because of a fuel flow problem, easily verified with a fuel pressure gauge and check it under load not just at idle, or there is unmetered air entering the system after the MAF sensor and the o2 sensor is picking up the resulting lean condition. i would find a different dealer as this is common issue once a vehicle has a little age on it. I had this code once on a Silverado and it was caused by the intake manifold gasket leaking. That allowed unmetered air into the system.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

cochese wrote:

Maybe a joke to some, and yes tbe tests are not th... (show quote)

I am 78 yrs old and have been a mechanic for 60 of those years, its not like it used to be, my last 20 yrs was on med & heavy duty trucks and light duty construction equip. Retired at the end of April this year.
Never went to or competed in any "rodeos" had nothing to prove,My come back record was all I needed,I just fixed them and out the door.

cdayton

jerryc41 wrote:

Right! Tape works fine until you bring the car for its annual inspection. I had lots of English cars, starting with my parents' 1958 Ford Prefect, and then some MGs. I eventually had a '67 Jag E-Type - excellent car.

You should have kept the XKE - I had two ‘69s - should have kept them and the XK150 I had earlier.

jiminnee

Of course,it's impossible to diagnose this well online,but here's a couple things to check. The checks would need to be done by someone familiar in the use of test equipment(a qualified tech),but this will give a place to start. 1......A vacuum leak. This would most likely set a code at idle when vacuum is/should be higher. You could check for hoses off;simple stuff like that. 2.....Perhaps an oxygen sensor is indicating a lean condition but it isn't actually running lean. This would have to be checked by an experienced tech.

sarrighi Loc: couture center of the universe

Take it to SOUTH MAIN AUTO. Watch his videos on YOU TUBE. He may be the only hope.