The P0172 and P0175 are trouble codes that are very much similar. They can be caused by the same factor and show the same symptoms. They are related to a disruption in the Air Fuel Ratio (AFR). One of them will come up if either side of the engine runs too rich.
How do I fix p0172 and p0175 codes? Well, fixing the codes is easy as they could have similar causes. All you need to do is diagnose the cause of your engine running too rich and solve it.
For instance, a p0175 code ford f150 might have a fuel injection problem. The best way to fix this problem is by replacing the fuel injection.
What Do You Mean By Code P0172 And P0175?
The engine codes P0172 and P0175 are both diagnostic trouble codes that are very similar and can easily be confused with each other. They both have to do with the air-fuel ratio and signify too much fuel in the engine system compared to the air ratio.
What is code P1072?
It is a diagnostic trouble code (DTC) which means System Too Rich (Bank 1). When the code comes up, It means that the Powertrain Control Module (PCM) detected that there is too much fuel in the air-fuel mixture in the combustion area. Usually, the ratio of the air-fuel mixture is 14.7:1. It means that 14.1 grams of air are needed to be mixed for every 1 gram of fuel.
Once there is a disruption in the ratio, and the fuel mixture goes beyond 1 gram for every 14.7 grams of air, then the code will come up. The PCM can detect the code using sensors like the Mass Air Flow Sensor, Manifold Absolute Pressure (MAP), and oxygen sensors.
What is P0175 code?
The trouble code P0175 means the system is too rich (Bank 2). In this case, the code comes up when there is not enough air going to the engine system or the fuel going to the engine is more than the expected fuel in the air-fuel ratio.
The ECM will throw the code when it cannot correlate the air and fuel going into the engine system with the Air Fuel Ratio (AFR).
The DTC code P0172 and P0175 are very similar, and what differentiates them is where they are detected. The P0172 is detected at the Bank 1 area, and the P0175 is detected at Bank 2. The Bank 1 area is where you can find engine cylinder 1. On the other hand, Bank 2 is the other side of the engine.
Furthermore, both trouble codes can be caused by the same factors and similar symptoms.
How Do I Fix P0172 And P0175?
How do I fix code P0175 and P0172? It is quite easy. To achieve this, you will have to figure out the cause of the problem. Through the cause of the problem, you will be able to fix the code.
Different problems, including faulty sensors, fuel injectors, and leaking vacuum and fuel pressure, can cause the codes. Once you can recognize these causes by observing the symptoms or just checking these parts, you can repair or replace them which will fix code P0175 and P0172.
Also, you can use an obd2 scanner to scan your vehicle for related codes to the cause. You can also consult vehicle TSBs as a guide on how to fix P0172 code and p0175 trouble code.
What Causes P0172 and P0175 at the Same Time?
Most of what can trigger the P0172 code can also trigger the P0175. The code's major cause is insufficient air going into the engine. The engine combustion works are straightforward but require preciseness, which is why there is a ratio for the mixture of air and fuel.
When there is a reduction in the air going to the engine, the engine tends to reduce because the combustion process cannot create enough power. The PCM detects this and triggers the fuel injection to release more fuel into the engine system to compensate for the lack of oxygen. When this happens, the fuel goes beyond the AFR, causing either the P0172 or P0175, depending on where the issue is detected by scanner.
Some significant factors could cause a reduction in the amount of air that gets into the engine or increase the fuel going into the engine. Some of them may include the following.
1. Dirty or Bad MAF sensor
One of the common causes of the P0172 and P0175 is a problem with the MAF sensor. The sensor measures the amount of air going into the engine. When the MAF sensor is faulty, the PCM will not be able to get the right amount of air into the engine. It may prompt the PCM to increase the amount of fuel entering the engine.
2. Vacuum Leak
The manifold vacuum or engine vacuum is a difference between the air pressure in the surroundings and the engine intake. When there is a vacuum leak, it means that air has escaped into the engine intake. It could influence the fuel injection and cause the codes to come up.
3. Faulty oxygen sensor
The oxygen sensor measures the level of oxygen in the exhaust system. If the information is wrong or the sensor does not work, it could influence the engine's fuel level. If there is no information from the sensor, then the PCM will assume the engine is not getting enough oxygen and may increase fuel injection.
4. Faulty fuel injector
Two things may happen if a fuel injection is not functioning well. First, the engine may receive less fuel than required making the engine underperform. The second is that the fuel injector may release too much fuel into the engine, causing it to run rich. When this happens, the computer system throws the P0172 and P0175 codes.
5. Inaccurate fuel pressure
When there is a problem with the fuel pressure in the vehicle, the PCM will try to create more pressure by releasing more octane into the engine, which means more fuel than the air.
Symptoms of P0172 and P0175 Code
When the PCM throws the DTC codes P0172 and P0175, it comes with all sorts of symptoms that make it easier to trace the problem with the vehicle. When the engine runs rich, it will affect the vehicle's performance, and the engine will show signs. Some of these signs may include the following.
1. Rough Idle
2. Increased exhaust smell
3. Drop in engine power
4. Increased emission
5. Poor gas mileage
6. Motor oil contamination with fuel
Accompanying all of these signs is a check engine light. You can trace the causes of the engine problem through the symptoms. Once the cause is solved, the symptom will go away.
What Causes Bank 1 Too Rich?
Bank 1 or bank 2 refers to the sides of the engine. Refer to the vehicle manual for a better understanding. Bank 1 contains the front cylinder, located on engine cylinder 1.
Most of the time, when your bank 1 is too rich, it is caused by a problem with the fuel injector. Once the fuel injector is faulty, it could cause the engine to run rich or lean. As a result of this, it could affect the way the cylinder at Bank 1 functions.
Some problems could cause the Bank to run rich. Most of the causes of Bank 2's rise could also affect Bank 1.
Can A Vacuum Leak Cause P0172?
A leaking vacuum can trigger a P0172 because the leak can alter the mixture of AFR. Air can leak into the intake system when there is a leaking vacuum. This air is not accounted for and does not include part of the AFR. It means more air than fuel.
When the PCM recognizes that more air is entering the intake, it triggers the fuel injector to release more fuel. It may cause Bank 1 to run rich.
Conclusion
So, how do I fix p0172 and p0175? The P0172 and P0175 are similar in many ways, but there is still a difference, especially where they are detected. We recommend that you swiftly fix the code as it can develop into more serious issues or damage your engine.