by dr20t » Sun Sep 07, 2014 5:51 pm
Putting this out there to gauge thought from those in the know:
With all gaskets changed yesterday from header to dump pipe, I thought about why its still misfiring/ leaning out when it hits 1-2psi.
Checked fuel pressure today at that rev/ load/ boost and its fine. Jumps up to 45psi with 1psi of boost then starts to misfire but fuel pressure holds solid. This was done by loading up the engine in first gear on the brakes while stationary.
So I thought maybe my long term fuel trims were taking too long to learn back. Flashed a new tune (same as the one that was in there but with the same timing table around the spool up zone as Matt's dyno tune in May). This basically just added back the timing I had taken out of the map when this issue started happening.
Seems to have made it better but it's still slightly missing on spool up and leaning out. Alot better though
Before I go and add more timing I want some thoughts if possible:
1. I first noticed this happening on the same day / just after I welded the slip joint on the headers up. I could be wrong here though as it may have been happening before but because it wasnt my daily at the time, when I was driving it I was generally banging through the gears and not sitting at 2000-2500rpm in 3rd/4th gear - so maybe the issue wasnt showing and only showed cos I've been daily driving it again the last few weeks and at the time I did the headers cos I was looking for the difference in spool up.
2. With the above said, if indeed the headers are now better (ie not leaking anymore) then wouldn't the engine need LESS timing? I'm sure I've got this right. The less efficient an engine is (less VE) then the more timing it needs. By welding the slip joints, this should effectively make the turbo/ engine more efficient at the same revs/ load, as it will flow more air and not be leaking. In turn, it should make boost earlier (ie boost threshold / 1 psi should come in at a couple hundred rpm sooner with the headers not leaking anymore).
If this is the case, why is it running better with MORE timing in that region (1.6 - 2.05 load range, 1800-2800rpm tables). Between 2-4 degrees more timing back in there now in those tables.
More timing generally means more cylinder pressure, which means leaner burn mixture for the same amount of fuel. But in this instance its helped richen it up slightly. I'm really puzzled on this one
On another note - if my plugs are indeed fouled (which I will know soon), then would fouled plugs cause the misfire only at 1-2psi at that low to medium load range? Once at 5psi and above, its fine. So the plugs aren't fouled up enough to cause issues up high.
Is it possible that fouled plugs only cause this misfire at low load low boost? Never heard of it before as bad plugs usually show themselves higher in the rev range and higher boost. Like I said mine are fine at that part of the map, no misfiring or lean out at all. Its just on spool up at low revs/ low to medium load.
Am I wasting my time changing plugs in the hope of fixing this issue? In my mind I feel like the answer to this is now "yes".
Would bad coils do the same thing? Ie only cause issue at low load/ boost but run fine up top and high boost?
Could it be an intake vacuum / boost leak?
Dirty fuel filter (unlikely I think but worth a shot if the above dont work)??
Got me stumped so any advice appreciated
Mick