fuel additives DODGE NEON 1999 Service Repair Manual

Connect the DVM between the center and sensor
ground terminal. Refer to Group 8W - Wiring Dia-
grams for correct pinout.
With the ignition switch in the ON position, check
the output voltage at the center terminal wire of the
connector. Check the output voltage at idle and at
Wide-Open-Throttle (WOT). At idle, TPS output volt-
age should be approximately 0.38 volts to 1.2 volts.
At wide open throttle, TPS output voltage should be
approximately 3.1 volts to 4.4 volts. The output volt-
age should gradually increase as the throttle plate
moves slowly from idle to WOT.
Check for spread terminals at the sensor and PCM
connections before replacing the TPS.
SPARK PLUG CONDITION
NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS
The few deposits present will be probably light tan
or slightly gray in color with most grades of commer-
cial gasoline (Fig. 21). There will not be evidence of
electrode burning. Gap growth will not average more
than approximately 0.025 mm (.001 in) per 1600 km
(1000 miles) of operation for non platinum spark
plugs. Non-platnium spark plugs that have normal
wear can usually be cleaned, have the electrodes filed
and regapped, and then reinstalled.
CAUTION: Never attempt to file the electrodes or
use a wire brush for cleaning platinum spark plugs.
This would damage the platinum pads which would
shorten spark plug life.Some fuel refiners in several areas of the United
States have introduced a manganese additive (MMT)
for unleaded fuel. During combustion, fuel with MMT
may coat the entire tip of the spark plug with a rust
colored deposit. The rust color deposits can be misdi-
agnosed as being caused by coolant in the combustion
chamber. Spark plug performance is not affected by
MMT deposits.
COLD FOULING (CARBON FOULING)
Cold fouling is sometimes referred to as carbon
fouling because the deposits that cause cold fouling
are basically carbon (Fig. 21). A dry, black deposit on
one or two plugs in a set may be caused by sticking
valves or misfire conditions. Cold (carbon) fouling of
the entire set may be caused by a clogged air cleaner.
Cold fouling is normal after short operating peri-
ods. The spark plugs do not reach a high enough
operating temperature during short operating peri-
ods.Replace carbon fouled plugs with new
spark plugs.
FUEL FOULING
A spark plug that is coated with excessive wet fuel
is called fuel fouled. This condition is normally
observed during hard start periods.Clean fuel
fouled spark plugs with compressed air and
reinstall them in the engine.
OIL FOULING
A spark plug that is coated with excessive wet oil
is oil fouled. In older engines, wet fouling can be
caused by worn rings or excessive cylinder wear.
Break-in fouling of new engines may occur before
normal oil control is achieved.Replace oil fouled
spark plugs with new ones.
OIL OR ASH ENCRUSTED
If one or more plugs are oil or ash encrusted, eval-
uate the engine for the cause of oil entering the com-
bustion chambers (Fig. 22). Sometimes fuel additives
can cause ash encrustation on an entire set of spark
plugs.Ash encrusted spark plugs can be cleaned
and reused.
HIGH SPEED MISS
When replacing spark plugs because of a high
speed miss condition;wide open throttle opera-
tion should be avoided for approximately 80 km
(50 miles) after installation of new plugs.This
will allow deposit shifting in the combustion chamber
to take place gradually and avoid plug destroying
splash fouling shortly after the plug change.
Fig. 21 Normal Operation and Cold (Carbon) Fouling
8D - 10 IGNITION SYSTEMPL
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING (Continued)

ELECTRODE GAP BRIDGING
Loose deposits in the combustion chamber can
cause electrode gap bridging. The deposits accumu-
late on the spark plugs during continuous stop-
and-go driving. When the engine is suddenly
subjected to a high torque load, the deposits partially
liquefy and bridge the gap between the electrodes
(Fig. 23). This short circuits the electrodes.Spark
plugs with electrode gap bridging can be
cleaned and reused.
SCAVENGER DEPOSITS
Fuel scavenger deposits may be either white or yel-
low (Fig. 24). They may appear to be harmful, but
are a normal condition caused by chemical additives
in certain fuels. These additives are designed tochange the chemical nature of deposits and decrease
spark plug misfire tendencies. Notice that accumula-
tion on the ground electrode and shell area may be
heavy but the deposits are easily removed.Spark
plugs with scavenger deposits can be consid-
ered normal in condition, cleaned and reused.
CHIPPED ELECTRODE INSULATOR
A chipped electrode insulator usually results from
bending the center electrode while adjusting the
spark plug electrode gap. Under certain conditions,
severe detonation also can separate the insulator
from the center electrode (Fig. 25).Spark plugs
with chipped electrode insulators must be
replaced.
PREIGNITION DAMAGE
Excessive combustion chamber temperature can
cause preignition damage. First, the center electrode
dissolves and the ground electrode dissolves some-
what later (Fig. 26). Insulators appear relatively
deposit free. Determine if the spark plugs are the
correct type, as specified on the VECI label, or if
Fig. 22 Oil or Ash Encrusted
Fig. 23 Electrode Gap Bridging
Fig. 24 Scavenger Deposits
Fig. 25 Chipped Electrode Insulator
PLIGNITION SYSTEM 8D - 11
DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING (Continued)

FUEL SYSTEM
CONTENTS
page page
FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEM................... 3
FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM................. 20GENERAL INFORMATION................... 1
GENERAL INFORMATION
INDEX
page page
GENERAL INFORMATION
FUEL REQUIREMENTS.................... 1
GASOLINE/OXYGENATE BLENDS............ 1INTRODUCTION......................... 1
PCM REPLACEMENT..................... 1
GENERAL INFORMATION
INTRODUCTION
Throughout this group, references may be made to
a particular vehicle by letter or number designation.
A chart showing the breakdown of these designations
is included in the Introduction Section at the front of
this service manual.
The Evaporation Control System, is also considered
part of the fuel system. The system reduces the emis-
sion of fuel vapor into the atmosphere.
The description and function of the Evaporation
Control System is found in Group 25 of this manual.
PCM REPLACEMENT
USE THE DRB SCAN TOOL TO REPROGRAM
THE NEW PCM WITH THE VEHICLES ORIGI-
NAL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (VIN) AND
THE VEHICLES ORIGINAL MILEAGE. IF THIS
STEP IS NOT DONE A DIAGNOSTIC TROUBLE
CODE (DTC) MAY BE SET.
FUEL REQUIREMENTS
Your vehicle was designed to meet all emission reg-
ulations and provide excellent fuel economy when
using high quality unleaded gasoline.
Use unleaded gasolines having a minimum posted
octane of 87.
If your vehicle develops occasional light spark
knock (ping) at low engine speeds this is not harm-
ful. However; continued heavy knock at high speeds
can cause damage and should be reported to yourdealer immediately. Engine damage as a result of
heavy knock operation may not be covered by the
new vehicle warranty.
In addition to using unleaded gasoline with the
proper octane rating, those that contain detergents,
corrosion and stability additives are recommended.
Using gasolines that have these additives will help
improve fuel economy, reduce emissions, and main-
tain vehicle performance.
Poor quality gasoline can cause problems such as
hard starting, stalling, and stumble. If you experi-
ence these problems, try another brand of gasoline
before considering service for the vehicle.
GASOLINE/OXYGENATE BLENDS
Some fuel suppliers blend unleaded gasoline with
materials that contain oxygen such as alcohol, MTBE
(Methyl Tertiary Butyl Ether) and ETBE (Ethyl Ter-
tiary Butyl Ether). Oxygenates are required in some
areas of the country during winter months to reduce
carbon monoxide emissions. The type and amount of
oxygenate used in the blend is important.
The following are generally used in gasoline
blends:
Ethanol- (Ethyl or Grain Alcohol) properly
blended, is used as a mixture of 10 percent ethanol
and 90 percent gasoline. Gasoline blended with etha-
nol may be used in your vehicle.
MTBE/ETBE- Gasoline and MTBE (Methyl Ter-
tiary Butyl Ether) blends are a mixture of unleaded
gasoline and up to 15 percent MTBE. Gasoline and
ETBE (Ethyl Tertiary Butyl Ether) are blends of gas-
PLFUEL SYSTEM 14 - 1