patchyfog
Hey all, okay so I'm at a loss here, did a search of site but couldn't find this issue. Apologies if it's already been discussed.
So ever since getting my car back from the mechanic I have had nothing but problems. The original one being that they used fuel hose far too short on my new pump which meant I was getting no fuel. Obviously.
Had help locating that particular problem but now I have a new one. Idle is terrible (sputtering) with revs at around 650rpm and dropping below. If I just start it up and leave it then it will idle, albeit roughly, however if I drive it anywhere I have to use the accelerator pedal in conjunction with the brake pedal whenever I come to a set of lights etc.
This is after mods so it's kinda hard to pinpoint if one particular thing could have caused the issue.
What seems okay:
I've searched (and searched) for any leaks but to no avail.
There are no (ODB1) codes currently being thrown.
Acceleration seems fine, as does boost.
Water meth is not set to kick in until around 5psi.
Not losing coolant and no visible oil in coolant.
Oil looks fine.
Cleaned IAC which was stuck.
What doesn't:
Slight white smoke from dipstick/oil filler cap.
Light oil coming from filler cap. (Replaced seal, seems okay now.)
Droplets from exhaust after acceleration - were black but now seem clear.
What's been done (engine related) in the past 12 months/10000kms:
Rear main seal.
Service - oil filter etc.
Trans flush.
Turbo upgrade.
New radiator & intercooler.
New fuel pump.
New Siemens Deka 630cc injectors - was warned after buying that these can cause rough idle.
New turbo control valve.
New ARD tune.
Water meth injection.
New plugs and rotor button.
Rear camshaft seals.
Also done within past 18 months/15000kms:
Water pump, timing belt, coolant temp sensor, serpentine belt.
Normally I'd take it down to my mechanic but after my most recent visit I have lost faith in them unfortunately - I supplied the majority of parts and it was off the road for close to 4 weeks and then cost me $1500. Even after I returned to them with the "short fuel hose" they offered no apology, despite the fact I was off the road for a further 2 weeks over Christmas and had to get someone in to find the issue. I understand it may have been an oversight due to being under the pump (so to speak) but nonetheless they could have at least admitted their error. Anyway......
Originally I believed that the front oxygen sensor was stuffed so I've ordered a new o2 sensor, well a wideband controller actually as I intend to get a better tune (Beust) when funds allow. That will at least trick the ECU into thinking the air fuel ratio is correct....if my understanding of wideband controllers is correct? Now, after further reading I'm leaning towards the PCV system being shot so any input would be greatly appreciated at this stage, prior to sinking any more cash into the only vehicle I own.
Thanks.
Craig
egads
MAF and brake booster check valve are the quick bits to check
patchyfog
Oh yeah, forgot to say, cleaned MAF and tried another MAF but no change.
How do I go about checking the brake booster check valve without buying a new one?
94_850_t5
I'd be refitting the fuel rail with OEM injectors just temporarily to see if this changes anything. It sounds injector/vacuum related.
patchyfog
Okay, I'll try that tomorrow. Thanks
patchyfog
Well I finally got time to mess with it again. Replaced the injectors with originals (as suggested by @ovlov94 ) which unfortunately resulted in the car not even running. Replaced them with bigger Bosch injectors, results not so great again, ended up running but really rough. In fact worse than with the Siemens Deka injectors, it would only idle for 30 seconds or so before stalling.
Any other ideas?
The injectors all appear to getting fuel from what I can see. I threw a multi on the connectors at the rail while I had them off - all appear to be around 15v (then slowly dropping) apart from injector 3 which was higher at 21v. Not sure if that is normal or relevant.
I still haven't had opportunity to replace the o2 sensor - what with work and the recent wet weather
Also, still unsure of how to check the brake booster check valve without buying a new one.
It's really frustrating now!!
If no-one has any other suggestions I'm open to taking it to a good mechanic, if anyone has a suggestion of a good one within 100kms of the Gold Coast?
Thanks
Jamest5r_
Did you run a standard ecu when you put original injectors back in? With 650cc and meth plus the other changes you will need custom mapping to make all that run properly not just some off the shelf ard map?, you also definitely need a wideband to see whats going on, your options imo are get a 4.4 ecu and custom map it yourself or get someone else to do it remotely for with with logs you take.
phonsa
Have you tied starting it with the MAF plug disconnected?
patchyfog
@Jamest5r_ my current 4.4 is apparently tuned to my mods. If we're to take them (ARD) at their word then my current "custom remap" should be set for the 650cc injectors plus the meth etc. But yeah, I'm highly doubtful anything much was done to it. Prior to ordering I had heard nothing but good things, after payment had cleared however, I could find nothing but negative reviews in regards to their tunes.
In the next few months my plan is to go with Beust. Hopefully the exchange rate evens out a little before I'm ready though. Also, I do have a wideband but just haven't found time to install it yet.
@phonsa I think I have tried that, along with replacing the MAF, but I'll go try again once the rain eases.
I have a larger MAF here that was originally going to be included in the tune but then, as I didn't have AFR set up I pulled it. Perhaps he "remapped" it for the bigger MAF despite the fact we decided against it at the time?!
Thanks for your help, guys.
I'm leaning towards something air/PCV related from everything I've read. It'd be nice to find someone I could take it to for them to have a look, and me feel confident in their verdict. Ah well......
Jamest5r_
Have a look at shemtek racing on Facebook, shem is a good bloke and can email you file's if you can log the data usually for your setup he would suggest 550cc but hell work with what you have, what turbo you running?
Jamest5r_
Jamest5r_
Oh and the exchange rate to the £ work's for you atm
Mackay78
With some brands of fuel pumps they use Very poor quality hose. I had a similar problem as mine was too short once out of the kit and another time it cracked.
Maybe pull your fuel pump out and see if the hose is fitted correctly. Good luck.
phonsa
patchyfog;102338 wrote@Jamest5r_ my current 4.4 is apparently tuned to my mods. If we're to take them (ARD) at their word then my current "custom remap" should be set for the 650cc injectors plus the meth etc. But yeah, I'm highly doubtful anything much was done to it. Prior to ordering I had heard nothing but good things, after payment had cleared however, I could find nothing but negative reviews in regards to their tunes.
In the next few months my plan is to go with Beust. Hopefully the exchange rate evens out a little before I'm ready though. Also, I do have a wideband but just haven't found time to install it yet.
@phonsa I think I have tried that, along with replacing the MAF, but I'll go try again once the rain eases.
I have a larger MAF here that was originally going to be included in the tune but then, as I didn't have AFR set up I pulled it. Perhaps he "remapped" it for the bigger MAF despite the fact we decided against it at the time?!
Thanks for your help, guys.
I'm leaning towards something air/PCV related from everything I've read. It'd be nice to find someone I could take it to for them to have a look, and me feel confident in their verdict. Ah well......
Haven't read into what troubleshooting you have done in detail, but if possible try to go back to standard i.e. stock ECU, stock injectors and trouble from there. Also reset the ECU by disconnecting the battery.
Oh yeah Aaron's Beust tune is miles better than ARD tunes, there is no comparison, the drive-ability and performance difference is night and day. Highly recommend Aaron's work.
Which fuel pump did you go with? I remember when i cleaned the MAF with off the shelf MAF spray it f%Cked the MAF and had to get a new Bosch one. Had the same symptoms car would not crank over, new maf fixed it.
The other major upside to the Beust tune is the ability to see live ECU parameters on the laptop which is used for troubleshooting and ECU fine tuning.
patchyfog
@Jamest5r_ thanks for that. I don't actually have Facebook these days but it looks like he has an old fashioned www. address. As for the turbo, it's currently just a 20t but I'm looking to upgrade prior to a new remap.
@Mackay78 the fuel pump is a Kemso...yep I'd never heard of them either but the information (or maybe disinformation) was that they are a rebranded Aeromotive. All seems fine going off looks, though I'm intending on getting a Deutschwerks DW300 soon.
@phonsa yeah I tried a replacement Bosch maf just in case the cleaner had damaged the original but no joy. Also disconnected the battery with no change.
One thing that has changed since the original post is that my lambda warning light is on now.
Guess I just need a day off work, with no prior commitments, to really spend some time playing.
Thanks again for the advice.
Jamest5r_
Im only just west of Brisbane near ipswich if you can get up here one weekend i dont mind helping you
patchyfog
Hey @Jamest5r_ that would be great, much appreciated. I think I'm working the next couple of weekends but I'll definitely take you up on the offer after that, when you're available obviously.
Jamest5r_
Thought i remembered this car/conversation my memory is shite sorry ive just commented on your other thread, above offer is open if you are passing
patchyfog
Thanks @Jamest5r_
Unfortunately it looks as though I will probably still have to take you up on the offer. There's a couple of things I still want to try beforehand, but I'm not too hopeful.
Thanks again
Craig
patchyfog
So, after everything I tried, simply changing my injectors to smaller green ones seemed to solve the problem. A full tank on and no stalling issues as yet, plus my fuel usage has gone from 400kms on a tank to 600+.
Thanks to everyone who offered help on this.