Cold Idle & Stall with Black Soot - Warm seems OK

Guys

Can you help? A brief description of what happened to Deb today and my
short test before I have to go out this evening. Will take to local
mechanic tomorrow and wish to provide some clues / pointers....

Following Rogers visit, the van was driven this afternoon on a cold
engine (no long warm up or anything) and only 1km away going up a
small hill it started running rough. Deb thought it might stall by the
roundabout. Deb decided to turn at the roundabout but felt it wouldn't
make it 180 degress so went straight and stopped at side of road and
it stalled.

Restarted 1st time - went down road 200m, turned around to go home.
Stalled 2 more times going back the 1km or so with hesitant power when
putting foot down.

This evening I have started vehicle in garage following basic checks.
Water good. Oil brand new 15W-60 Penzoil and probably over full if
anything.

Start UP - water and oil lights go out appropriately. Runs smoothly at
first then increasingly rough. I leave at idle without touching
accelerator at all until full at temperature. It becomes smoother at
full temp. It doesn't stall during this time. Notice some black soot
on concrete floor under exhaust which isnt' usually there.

Take for a quick test run - seems to develop almost full power (eg,
not quite 100% smooth and full, just a little rough) and accelerates
well. Seems like it won't stall. Runs pretty well. When home it idles
pretty smoothly. Re-starts well. But I can feel when running it from
cold it's going to do the same thing that happened to Deb.

Is it too rich a mixture maybe (gone out of adjustment?) Or is the
catalytic converter ceramic type issue? Air Flow Meter type issues?
(there has never been a backfire whilst I've owned the vehicle BTW Phill)

Thanks for help - will check in again later this evening to see if
anyone has any clues....

Regards
Mark.
Mark,
 
This is next to impossible to diagnose remotely but the O2 sensor could well be involved in this.
 
Les
 
----- Original Message -----
From: markkofahl
Sent: Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:58 PM
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Cold Idle & Stall with Black Soot - Warm seems OK

Guys

Can you help? A brief description of what happened to Deb today and my
short test before I have to go out this evening. Will take to local
mechanic tomorrow and wish to provide some clues / pointers....

.

Thanks Les - that's why I included some detail.

Recently replaced (last 6 months) include

Leads - all Beru
Distributor
Ignition Coil
Water Temp Sensor (both)
O2 Sensor

and various other cooling related parts (housings, union blocks, hoses etc)

Thanks and Regards
Mark.

On Wed, May 14, 2008 at 6:03 PM, Les Harris <leslieharris@optushome.com.au> wrote:

Mark,
 
This is next to impossible to diagnose remotely but the O2 sensor could well be involved in this.
 
Les
 
----- Original Message -----
From: markkofahl
Sent: Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:58 PM
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Cold Idle & Stall with Black Soot - Warm seems OK

Guys

Can you help? A brief description of what happened to Deb today and my
short test before I have to go out this evening. Will take to local
mechanic tomorrow and wish to provide some clues / pointers....

.




--
Mark Kofahl
Solutions Outsourced Pty Ltd
Main: 1300 33 1000
Direct: 02 9375 2747
Mobile: 0419 275 259
Skype: markkofahl

www.solutionsoutsourced.com.au
www.siteflex.com.au

16 View Street, Camden, NSW, 2570
PO Box 658, Camden, NSW, 2570




=======================================
This e-mail, including all attachments, may be confidential or privileged. Confidentiality or privilege is not waived or lost because this email has been sent to you in error. If you are not the intended recipient, any use, disclosure or copying of this email is prohibited. If you have received it in error please notify the sender immediately by reply email and destroy all copies of this email and any attachments. All liability for direct and indirect loss arising from this email and any attachments is hereby disclaimed to the extent permitted by law. Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Solutions Outsourced Pty Ltd.

This might be a good time to mention that a bright lad in the US developed an analyser that would probably diagnose a problem like this easily.
 
It plugs into the ECU and delivers a read-out (at the dashboard) of all the values being generated by the system as seen by the ECU.
 
The end result is to identify any aberrant readings and thus localize problems.  If anyone wants more information, let me know and I will send it direct.
 
Les
 
 
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, May 14, 2008 6:06 PM
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Cold Idle & Stall with Black Soot - Warm seems OK

Thanks Les - that's why I included some detail.

Recently replaced (last 6 months) include

Leads - all Beru
Distributor
Ignition Coil
Water Temp Sensor (both)
O2 Sensor

and various other cooling related parts (housings, union blocks, hoses etc)

Thanks and Regards
Mark.

On Wed, May 14, 2008 at 6:03 PM, Les Harris <leslieharris@ optushome. com.au> wrote:

Mark,
 
This is next to impossible to diagnose remotely but the O2 sensor could well be involved in this.
 
Les
 
----- Original Message -----
From: markkofahl
Sent: Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:58 PM
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australi a] Cold Idle & Stall with Black Soot - Warm seems OK

Guys

Can you help? A brief description of what happened to Deb today and my
short test before I have to go out this evening. Will take to local
mechanic tomorrow and wish to provide some clues / pointers....

.




--
Mark Kofahl
Solutions Outsourced Pty Ltd
Main: 1300 33 1000
Direct: 02 9375 2747
Mobile: 0419 275 259
Skype: markkofahl

www.solutionsoutsou rced.com. au
www.siteflex. com.au

16 View Street, Camden, NSW, 2570
PO Box 658, Camden, NSW, 2570




============ ========= ========= =========
This e-mail, including all attachments, may be confidential or privileged. Confidentiality or privilege is not waived or lost because this email has been sent to you in error. If you are not the intended recipient, any use, disclosure or copying of this email is prohibited. If you have received it in error please notify the sender immediately by reply email and destroy all copies of this email and any attachments. All liability for direct and indirect loss arising from this email and any attachments is hereby disclaimed to the extent permitted by law. Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Solutions Outsourced Pty Ltd.

Gday Mark,

Sounds to me pretty much similar to what you experienced on the Syncro
Tour 2007. So maybe it still hasn't been solved.

Is your syncro eligible for the free VW campaign 20F3 recall
(replacement of fuel injectors etc.) and if so, has it been done?
Eligibility is determined from a specified VIN range of 1990-1992
transporters.

Cheers.

Ken


--- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, "markkofahl"
<markkofahl@...> wrote:
>
> Guys
>
> Can you help? A brief description of what happened to Deb today and my
> short test before I have to go out this evening. Will take to local
> mechanic tomorrow and wish to provide some clues / pointers....
>
> Following Rogers visit, the van was driven this afternoon on a cold
> engine (no long warm up or anything) and only 1km away going up a
> small hill it started running rough. Deb thought it might stall by the
> roundabout. Deb decided to turn at the roundabout but felt it wouldn't
> make it 180 degress so went straight and stopped at side of road and
> it stalled.
>
> Restarted 1st time - went down road 200m, turned around to go home.
> Stalled 2 more times going back the 1km or so with hesitant power when
> putting foot down.
>
> This evening I have started vehicle in garage following basic checks.
> Water good. Oil brand new 15W-60 Penzoil and probably over full if
> anything.
>
> Start UP - water and oil lights go out appropriately. Runs smoothly at
> first then increasingly rough. I leave at idle without touching
> accelerator at all until full at temperature. It becomes smoother at
> full temp. It doesn't stall during this time. Notice some black soot
> on concrete floor under exhaust which isnt' usually there.
>
> Take for a quick test run - seems to develop almost full power (eg,
> not quite 100% smooth and full, just a little rough) and accelerates
> well. Seems like it won't stall. Runs pretty well. When home it idles
> pretty smoothly. Re-starts well. But I can feel when running it from
> cold it's going to do the same thing that happened to Deb.
>
> Is it too rich a mixture maybe (gone out of adjustment?) Or is the
> catalytic converter ceramic type issue? Air Flow Meter type issues?
> (there has never been a backfire whilst I've owned the vehicle BTW
Phill)
>
> Thanks for help - will check in again later this evening to see if
> anyone has any clues....
>
> Regards
> Mark.
>
Ken,

quite the opposite - it is working much better when hot, as opposed to cold. The other problem was stalling when hot, which was definitely in the end the ignition coil.

Oh, yes it is eligible, and there is a recall sticker affixed to the vehicle.

Regards


On Wed, May 14, 2008 at 6:24 PM, Ken <unclekenz@yahoo.com> wrote:


Gday Mark,

Sounds to me pretty much similar to what you experienced on the Syncro
Tour 2007. So maybe it still hasn't been solved.

Is your syncro eligible for the free VW campaign 20F3 recall
(replacement of fuel injectors etc.) and if so, has it been done?
Eligibility is determined from a specified VIN range of 1990-1992
transporters.

Cheers.

Ken

--- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, "markkofahl"
<markkofahl@...> wrote:
>
> Guys
>
> Can you help? A brief description of what happened to Deb today and my
> short test before I have to go out this evening. Will take to local
> mechanic tomorrow and wish to provide some clues / pointers....
>
> Following Rogers visit, the van was driven this afternoon on a cold
> engine (no long warm up or anything) and only 1km away going up a
> small hill it started running rough. Deb thought it might stall by the
> roundabout. Deb decided to turn at the roundabout but felt it wouldn't
> make it 180 degress so went straight and stopped at side of road and
> it stalled.
>
> Restarted 1st time - went down road 200m, turned around to go home.
> Stalled 2 more times going back the 1km or so with hesitant power when
> putting foot down.
>
> This evening I have started vehicle in garage following basic checks.
> Water good. Oil brand new 15W-60 Penzoil and probably over full if
> anything.
>
> Start UP - water and oil lights go out appropriately. Runs smoothly at
> first then increasingly rough. I leave at idle without touching
> accelerator at all until full at temperature. It becomes smoother at
> full temp. It doesn't stall during this time. Notice some black soot
> on concrete floor under exhaust which isnt' usually there.
>
> Take for a quick test run - seems to develop almost full power (eg,
> not quite 100% smooth and full, just a little rough) and accelerates
> well. Seems like it won't stall. Runs pretty well. When home it idles
> pretty smoothly. Re-starts well. But I can feel when running it from
> cold it's going to do the same thing that happened to Deb.
>
> Is it too rich a mixture maybe (gone out of adjustment?) Or is the
> catalytic converter ceramic type issue? Air Flow Meter type issues?
> (there has never been a backfire whilst I've owned the vehicle BTW
Phill)
>
> Thanks for help - will check in again later this evening to see if
> anyone has any clues....
>
> Regards
> Mark.
>




--
Mark Kofahl
Solutions Outsourced Pty Ltd
Main: 1300 33 1000
Direct: 02 9375 2747
Mobile: 0419 275 259
Skype: markkofahl

www.solutionsoutsourced.com.au
www.siteflex.com.au

16 View Street, Camden, NSW, 2570
PO Box 658, Camden, NSW, 2570




=======================================
This e-mail, including all attachments, may be confidential or privileged. Confidentiality or privilege is not waived or lost because this email has been sent to you in error. If you are not the intended recipient, any use, disclosure or copying of this email is prohibited. If you have received it in error please notify the sender immediately by reply email and destroy all copies of this email and any attachments. All liability for direct and indirect loss arising from this email and any attachments is hereby disclaimed to the extent permitted by law. Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Solutions Outsourced Pty Ltd.

Hi les,

Can you please send me the details?

The values being sent I assume must be read in conjunction with another document - Bentleys? The Digifant manual of some sort? ie, I assume numeric values and cross-reference to a code list, as opposed to english readable values...

regards
Mark.

PS - did the images come through that I sent earlier? of Roger and Brian?

On Wed, May 14, 2008 at 6:13 PM, Les Harris <leslieharris@optushome.com.au> wrote:

This might be a good time to mention that a bright lad in the US developed an analyser that would probably diagnose a problem like this easily.
 
It plugs into the ECU and delivers a read-out (at the dashboard) of all the values being generated by the system as seen by the ECU.
 
The end result is to identify any aberrant readings and thus localize problems.  If anyone wants more information, let me know and I will send it direct.
 
Les
 
 
----- Original Message -----
From: Mark Kofahl
Sent: Wednesday, May 14, 2008 6:06 PM
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Cold Idle & Stall with Black Soot - Warm seems OK

Thanks Les - that's why I included some detail.

Recently replaced (last 6 months) include

Leads - all Beru
Distributor
Ignition Coil
Water Temp Sensor (both)
O2 Sensor

and various other cooling related parts (housings, union blocks, hoses etc)

Thanks and Regards
Mark.

On Wed, May 14, 2008 at 6:03 PM, Les Harris <leslieharris@optushome.com.au> wrote:

Mark,
 
This is next to impossible to diagnose remotely but the O2 sensor could well be involved in this.
 
Les
 
----- Original Message -----
From: markkofahl
Sent: Wednesday, May 14, 2008 5:58 PM
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Cold Idle & Stall with Black Soot - Warm seems OK

Guys

Can you help? A brief description of what happened to Deb today and my
short test before I have to go out this evening. Will take to local
mechanic tomorrow and wish to provide some clues / pointers....

.




--
Mark Kofahl
Solutions Outsourced Pty Ltd
Main: 1300 33 1000
Direct: 02 9375 2747
Mobile: 0419 275 259
Skype: markkofahl

www.solutionsoutsourced.com.au
www.siteflex.com.au

16 View Street, Camden, NSW, 2570
PO Box 658, Camden, NSW, 2570




=======================================
This e-mail, including all attachments, may be confidential or privileged. Confidentiality or privilege is not waived or lost because this email has been sent to you in error. If you are not the intended recipient, any use, disclosure or copying of this email is prohibited. If you have received it in error please notify the sender immediately by reply email and destroy all copies of this email and any attachments. All liability for direct and indirect loss arising from this email and any attachments is hereby disclaimed to the extent permitted by law. Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Solutions Outsourced Pty Ltd.




--
Mark Kofahl
Solutions Outsourced Pty Ltd
Main: 1300 33 1000
Direct: 02 9375 2747
Mobile: 0419 275 259
Skype: markkofahl

www.solutionsoutsourced.com.au
www.siteflex.com.au

16 View Street, Camden, NSW, 2570
PO Box 658, Camden, NSW, 2570




=======================================
This e-mail, including all attachments, may be confidential or privileged. Confidentiality or privilege is not waived or lost because this email has been sent to you in error. If you are not the intended recipient, any use, disclosure or copying of this email is prohibited. If you have received it in error please notify the sender immediately by reply email and destroy all copies of this email and any attachments. All liability for direct and indirect loss arising from this email and any attachments is hereby disclaimed to the extent permitted by law. Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Solutions Outsourced Pty Ltd.

Mark

 

A faulty temp sender, or poor connection to it can cause mixture enrichment.

Check it out, it’s one trouble shooting step to take. The temp sender is located at the side of the thermostat housing. Its resistance changes with temperature and this is fed to the ECU and the mixture is adjusted via pressure regulator and injectors.

 

Wishing you resolution success

Yurik

 

 

From: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com [mailto:Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com] On Behalf Of markkofahl
Sent: Wednesday, 14 May 2008 3:59 PM
To: Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Cold Idle & Stall with Black Soot - Warm seems OK

 

Guys

Can you help? A brief description of what happened to Deb today and my
short test before I have to go out this evening. Will take to local
mechanic tomorrow and wish to provide some clues / pointers....

Following Rogers visit, the van was driven this afternoon on a cold
engine (no long warm up or anything) and only 1km away going up a
small hill it started running rough. Deb thought it might stall by the
roundabout. Deb decided to turn at the roundabout but felt it wouldn't
make it 180 degress so went straight and stopped at side of road and
it stalled.

Restarted 1st time - went down road 200m, turned around to go home.
Stalled 2 more times going back the 1km or so with hesitant power when
putting foot down.

This evening I have started vehicle in garage following basic checks.
Water good. Oil brand new 15W-60 Penzoil and probably over full if
anything.

Start UP - water and oil lights go out appropriately. Runs smoothly at
first then increasingly rough. I leave at idle without touching
accelerator at all until full at temperature. It becomes smoother at
full temp. It doesn't stall during this time. Notice some black soot
on concrete floor under exhaust which isnt' usually there.

Take for a quick test run - seems to develop almost full power (eg,
not quite 100% smooth and full, just a little rough) and accelerates
well. Seems like it won't stall. Runs pretty well. When home it idles
pretty smoothly. Re-starts well. But I can feel when running it from
cold it's going to do the same thing that happened to Deb.

Is it too rich a mixture maybe (gone out of adjustment?) Or is the
catalytic converter ceramic type issue? Air Flow Meter type issues?
(there has never been a backfire whilst I've owned the vehicle BTW Phill)

Thanks for help - will check in again later this evening to see if
anyone has any clues....

Regards
Mark.

Mark,
 
I will pull the information out of my records and send it direct.  I will be setting up a router and LAN/WAN for Laurie's workshop today but will get them tonight.  There's several documents, from memory.
 
No attachments from you recently.
 
Les
 
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, May 14, 2008 11:34 PM
Subject: Re: [Syncro_T3_Australia] Cold Idle & Stall with Black Soot - Warm seems OK

Hi les,

Can you please send me the details?

The values being sent I assume must be read in conjunction with another document - Bentleys? The Digifant manual of some sort? ie, I assume numeric values and cross-reference to a code list, as opposed to english readable values...

regards
Mark.

PS - did the images come through that I sent earlier? of Roger and Brian?

.

New file uploaded gives check list of possible causes.

Only a month ago, I suffered the same. Couldn't nail it down.
I was then forced to do a complete engine / sensor / ECU rewire.
Moved the ECU into the engine bay (inside airtight box) added an
airtight terminal box with DIN rail connectors and 12V relays, and
then re-connected everything in sight! No original wires left.

Cured it!

Hope it wont come to that with you.

Regards

Peter


--- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, "markkofahl"
<markkofahl@...> wrote:
>
> Guys
>
> Can you help? A brief description of what happened to Deb today and
my
> short test before I have to go out this evening. Will take to local
> mechanic tomorrow and wish to provide some clues / pointers....
>
> Following Rogers visit, the van was driven this afternoon on a cold
> engine (no long warm up or anything) and only 1km away going up a
> small hill it started running rough. Deb thought it might stall by
the
> roundabout. Deb decided to turn at the roundabout but felt it
wouldn't
> make it 180 degress so went straight and stopped at side of road and
> it stalled.
>
> Restarted 1st time - went down road 200m, turned around to go home.
> Stalled 2 more times going back the 1km or so with hesitant power
when
> putting foot down.
>
> This evening I have started vehicle in garage following basic
checks.
> Water good. Oil brand new 15W-60 Penzoil and probably over full if
> anything.
>
> Start UP - water and oil lights go out appropriately. Runs smoothly
at
> first then increasingly rough. I leave at idle without touching
> accelerator at all until full at temperature. It becomes smoother at
> full temp. It doesn't stall during this time. Notice some black soot
> on concrete floor under exhaust which isnt' usually there.
>
> Take for a quick test run - seems to develop almost full power (eg,
> not quite 100% smooth and full, just a little rough) and accelerates
> well. Seems like it won't stall. Runs pretty well. When home it
idles
> pretty smoothly. Re-starts well. But I can feel when running it from
> cold it's going to do the same thing that happened to Deb.
>
> Is it too rich a mixture maybe (gone out of adjustment?) Or is the
> catalytic converter ceramic type issue? Air Flow Meter type issues?
> (there has never been a backfire whilst I've owned the vehicle BTW
Phill)
>
> Thanks for help - will check in again later this evening to see if
> anyone has any clues....
>
> Regards
> Mark.
>
Gday Peter,

A very couragious decision indeed and congrats for the positive outcome.
No doubt you learnt a lot along the way.

Perhaps the makings of a growth industry centrally located between
Sydney and Melbourne?

Cheers.

Ken


--- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, "Peter" <kestel.p@...>
wrote:
>
> New file uploaded gives check list of possible causes.
>
> Only a month ago, I suffered the same. Couldn't nail it down.
> I was then forced to do a complete engine / sensor / ECU rewire.
> Moved the ECU into the engine bay (inside airtight box) added an
> airtight terminal box with DIN rail connectors and 12V relays, and
> then re-connected everything in sight! No original wires left.
>
> Cured it!
>
> Hope it wont come to that with you.
>
> Regards
>
> Peter
>
>
> --- In Syncro_T3_Australia@yahoogroups.com, "markkofahl"
> markkofahl@ wrote:
> >
> > Guys
> >
> > Can you help? A brief description of what happened to Deb today and
> my
> > short test before I have to go out this evening. Will take to local
> > mechanic tomorrow and wish to provide some clues / pointers....
> >
> > Following Rogers visit, the van was driven this afternoon on a cold
> > engine (no long warm up or anything) and only 1km away going up a
> > small hill it started running rough. Deb thought it might stall by
> the
> > roundabout. Deb decided to turn at the roundabout but felt it
> wouldn't
> > make it 180 degress so went straight and stopped at side of road and
> > it stalled.
> >
> > Restarted 1st time - went down road 200m, turned around to go home.
> > Stalled 2 more times going back the 1km or so with hesitant power
> when
> > putting foot down.
> >
> > This evening I have started vehicle in garage following basic
> checks.
> > Water good. Oil brand new 15W-60 Penzoil and probably over full if
> > anything.
> >
> > Start UP - water and oil lights go out appropriately. Runs smoothly
> at
> > first then increasingly rough. I leave at idle without touching
> > accelerator at all until full at temperature. It becomes smoother at
> > full temp. It doesn't stall during this time. Notice some black soot
> > on concrete floor under exhaust which isnt' usually there.
> >
> > Take for a quick test run - seems to develop almost full power (eg,
> > not quite 100% smooth and full, just a little rough) and accelerates
> > well. Seems like it won't stall. Runs pretty well. When home it
> idles
> > pretty smoothly. Re-starts well. But I can feel when running it from
> > cold it's going to do the same thing that happened to Deb.
> >
> > Is it too rich a mixture maybe (gone out of adjustment?) Or is the
> > catalytic converter ceramic type issue? Air Flow Meter type issues?
> > (there has never been a backfire whilst I've owned the vehicle BTW
> Phill)
> >
> > Thanks for help - will check in again later this evening to see if
> > anyone has any clues....
> >
> > Regards
> > Mark.
> >
>
hi Mark
robert here from Sunshine coast
man i had the exact same problems i reckon and went thru a lot of dramas. the end story was as Les said could be 0/2 oxygen sensor. i had mine replaced about 3 months ago then started having same probs.... so moved on spent a heap of money to find out that the oxygen sensor that was new was bad!!!!
van runningfine now if however you find that thats not the prob. i have a new airflow meter in the box i need to sell
good luck with it
Robert
markkofahl <markkofahl@gmail.com> wrote:
Guys

Can you help? A brief description of what happened to Deb today and my
short test before I have to go out this evening. Will take to local
mechanic tomorrow and wish to provide some clues / pointers....

Following Rogers visit, the van was driven this afternoon on a cold
engine (no long warm up or anything) and only 1km away going up a
small hill it started running rough. Deb thought it might stall by the
roundabout. Deb decided to turn at the roundabout but felt it wouldn't
make it 180 degress so went straight and stopped at side of road and
it stalled.

Restarted 1st time - went down road 200m, turned around to go home.
Stalled 2 more times going back the 1km or so with hesitant power when
putting foot down.

This evening I have started vehicle in garage following basic checks.
Water good. Oil brand new 15W-60 Penzoil and probably over full if
anything.

Start UP - water and oil lights go out appropriately. Runs smoothly at
first then increasingly rough. I leave at idle without touching
accelerator at all until full at temperature. It becomes smoother at
full temp. It doesn't stall during this time. Notice some black soot
on concrete floor under exhaust which isnt' usually there.

Take for a quick test run - seems to develop almost full power (eg,
not quite 100% smooth and full, just a little rough) and accelerates
well. Seems like it won't stall. Runs pretty well. When home it idles
pretty smoothly. Re-starts well. But I can feel when running it from
cold it's going to do the same thing that happened to Deb.

Is it too rich a mixture maybe (gone out of adjustment?) Or is the
catalytic converter ceramic type issue? Air Flow Meter type issues?
(there has never been a backfire whilst I've owned the vehicle BTW Phill)

Thanks for help - will check in again later this evening to see if
anyone has any clues....

Regards
Mark.