Check Engine Light - P0172 - Running rich bank 1 & 2

[razzell2]

This might help someone so I want to share it.

 

My lowered '06 Silverado has 33,000 miles. Bought it new. I obviously drive it light, around town, not many extended trips.

 

A few weeks ago my "check engine" light came on. I took it to my local smog/mechanic friend, ran the code reader, several minor codes came up, including "running rich on bank 1 & 2.

 

My guy cleaned out the MAF, changed the thermostat, basically troubleshot and cleared all codes except P0172. (rich on bank 1,2).

The check engine light went off but was back on a couple days later.

 

Ok, here's the thing. He had been telling me for years that i needed to drive my truck more, longer, take it on the freeway for 300 miles or so and let computer read and let the truck correct itself.

I thought, you know, hogwash. You cant drive a vehicle long distance with check engine, right? More damage!

After several more visits to my friend the mechanic to check this, that, etc, I gave in and said OK, I'll take a trip for you. He cleared the computer and the idea was, I would drive it, bring it back and we'd check the codes/motherboard readings and go from there.

 

The wife and I took off from Victorville Ca. headed for Stateline NV, a 400 mile trip.

150 miles later we pulled into Baker, Ca for bfast. Check engine light remained on the entire trip.

During bfast I told the wife, thats far enough. Round trip will be 300 miles, he can get his reading on that.

Had a nice bfast, got in the truck, back on fwy headed South, home.

10 miles later, presto, check engine light goes OFF.

 

Its fixed. No error codes. Running great.

 

He explained it to me, how it fixed itself, but I'm no mechanic so I don't understand. All I know is the longer drive cleaned out whatever was causing the computer to read rich.

My truck has been perfect for weeks now.

 

I posted this to help anyone else who might have a P0172-P0175 error, rich on bank 1,2 issue.

 

Drive your vehicle. Let the sensor's get a correct reading. Let the truck clean itself out.

 

I would be interested in anyone's comments on this, pro or con.

 

Thanks.

 

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