Check Engine Light - P0171
 

Need assistance on diagnosing the following problem with my vehicle.

Check Engine Code: P0171 {System too lean} + Traction Control disable

Problem: I drove to Chicago last weekend and was scrapping a lot throughout the city. Got gas and then started experiencing the P0171. I thought it was bad gas but after filling up 2x, I was certain that the gas was not the problem. The vehicle idles rough! Similar to when your car is about to stall out but it doesn't. The smell of light gas is present when I turn on the A/C and the sound of the engine bay is WAY louder than the rear with a light 'wind like' exhaust tone at high RPM when driving... Did I crack my exhaust?

Diagnoses: As of now, I cleaned my MAF with the designed cleaner and tomorrow after class, I'm going to lift the car up to search for any exhaust leaks or damages below. I will also have a friend help check for a vacuum leak as well.

Could someone share some advice on what I should look for while diagnosing my car tomorrow?

Thank you.

"Did I crack my exhaust?"

It's likely.

To affect the fuel trims, it would need to be broken in front of the cat converter, where the wideband and downstream HO2S would pick up that excess oxygen, so the exhaust manifold may have cracked when subjected the excessive strain from all you scraping. A likely failure point would be the weld at the cat converter inlet

Update: Started the car with me underneath and noticed a lot of air coming from one of the flex pipe of my UEL headers. I believe this is the source of my problem due to me not running the shield while on my road trip. Not sure if it's worth getting it fixed or buying a new UEL headers.

Glad you found your issue. As for the flex pipe you *can* have a new one welded in but I would just get a new, perhaps better header. I don't really like flex pipes personally. I like the 86 headers that have either slip joints or nothing at all besides piping.

I would definitely need to get headers but right now it's best for me to do a quick fix and hold on till some good deals on high quality headers.. maybe without flex pipes:thumbdown: