Running temperature? (and pics of my messed up o2 sensor)

[vwGLI]

Well, at first I thought we found the problem of why my car was running bad:
thats the first o2 sensor... caked with carbon. heated it up with a torch to clean it. im not sure if it was heated enough though. anyways, even worse:

We figured it must be shorting out and causing my car to run like crap, and causing my spark plugs to look like this:



It seemed like the problem was fixed after we cleaned the o2 sensor and put electrical tape around the wire with exposed metal, and completely re wrapped it. But after driving for about a half hour, the car started running bad again.

Im not sure if this has anything to do with it, but before, I remember my car would always get to 190 degrees. Now, my car never gets to 190, its always between 175-180. What is normal? Could it have anything to do with my car running like shit?

[Miller7204]

I'm pretty sure that's normal in the winter time since the air is colder outside. Could be your coolant temp sensor though even though you just replaced it. I've been told bad batches are made sometimes.

[Pssst...passed you]

Coolant temp sensor could cause a lot if these issues.

[vwGLI]

but its brand new! a simple coolant temp sensor could cause my car to run like ass?

[Pssst...passed you]

It tells the ECU to stop running a fuel rich a/f program once it is warm. It could continue to run the rich mix as it fails and cause this carbon and temp issuse

[vwGLI]

im going to test it right now along with the air intake temperature sensor. thankS!

[vwGLI]

air temperature sensor is good. coolant temperature sensor is good. i dont know where to go from here.

[Pssst...passed you]

Possible Causes =
Fuel system
Excessive fuel pressure
Leaking or contaminated fuel injectors
Leaking fuel pressure regulator
Low fuel pressure or running out of fuel
Vapor recovery system
Air leaks after the MAF
Vacuum leaks
Improper seated engine oil dipstick
Stuck EGR valve
Oil overfill
Cam timing
Cylinder compression
Exhaust leaks before or near HO2Ss.


I guess keep crossing bits off as you test them.

[vwGLI]

im gunna check my MAF and make sure thats working correctly, then ill do the checklist. I was also thinking of seafoaming the shit out of it, then going through the list.

[fukn_dubn_gti]

thats alot of carbon on those plugs..
your def running rich.
are you chipped yet? possible they flashed a tune in thats a richer tune for someone with a k04 or something.

does your idle bounce? try unplugging the maf and driving for about 30-60 mins.. if the car doesnt run like garbage... you found your issue.. bad maf.

[vwGLI]

yes uni 1+, and no problems with it for over half a year. i also tried the MAF unplug and it still ran like crap.

[05GTI1.8T]

replace the o2 sensor and the plugs clean the maf if that doesnt help im willing to bet its an ecu problem.. that is per say if your coolant temp sensor is infact working correctly..

[vwGLI]

havent replaced the 02 sensor but tested it and its working correctly. coolant temp sensor also tested and its working correctly. plugs cleaned. im afraid its the ecu... any signs that would lead to it being the ecu?

[XxBORAxX]

You found your issue!

[05GTI1.8T]

Mhmmm An Ecu to come yoda sees yes.

oh and remember to clean out your intake and clean the injectors before you try getting it to run on the new ecu..