Confused beyond...anything

[gimpy]

Today marks the second time I had to re-load my Livernois tune.

When it originally happened (about 2-3 weeks ago) I first though I was getting use to it. As time pressed on, I realized that my car wouldn't pass car as easily. After this, I re-installed the tune and the car 'woke back up'...ok no big deal. The car hasn't thrown any engine codes, nor have any dash lights came on...

Here we are today, it seemed like it took the car forever and a day to use the passing zone...again, no lights nothing... basically like the car was putting itself into 'limp-mode' and not telling me. Came home, re-loaded once again (started the car, pulled forward, backed up, etc...to make sure everything was fine) then came into the house.

I shot Livernois an email today and they usually respond rather quickly. Has anyone else had anything like this or heard of it?

 

[SHOdded]

Using 93 gas, right? "Summer" blends should have made their way to the pump, probably filled up 2-3 times in last 2-3 weeks? Try a different gas station. If you have not used gas line antifreeze (e.g. HEET) this winter, throw in a bottle at fillup time and see if that helps restore performance. 1 bottle per tankful.

Check the usual culprits: dirty air filter, intake tubing and intercooler for oil pooling, 3 bar MAP for oil buildup, cracked turbo piping, all fluids for level & condition, spark plugs for wetness/fuel smell (leaky injector possibility).

 

[gimpy]

I'll be sure to check all the typical things tomorrow when. I have time.

Only issue is, everything was installed together early this month. Other than very seldomly, I drive it like a grandmother and like to fly under the radar.

When I did get after it to pass another grandmother, it seemed like it was dragging it's ass more and more each time. Re-flashed it, problem solved.

I've been scratching my head all evening and if it's 'back to where it was' again tomorrow (after checking a few things) I'm completely lost.

 

[SHOdded]

Well, you gotta remember that the PCM has an adaptive learning strategy. So if you don't drive aggressively even part of the time during this time, it will tend to be more "passive" when it settles in. How does it feel with the tune vs stock after the learning period? Did it ever have trouble passing with the stock tune? Probably not the case, but could there be a strategy mismatch between PCM and tune?

 

[jmr061]

SHOdded is correct. The car learns your driving behavior and adapts accordingly. This is why I have suggested turning adaptive learning off to the tuners in the past but they don't do it. You can turn it off with dealer/IDS software. The car will always be the most aggressive immediately after you tune it. From there it will be come less and less aggressive.

 

[gimpy]

Found the culprit...

Using a friend's 'scan-tool' (auto lingo silliness whatever) it wasn't holding/making boost.

During some WOT, I wasn't seeing boost at all, or very minimal. Gave all the piping a quick check just in case.

I guess it would have been more noticeable if I actually stretched the SHO's legs once in a while. This seems like a magical calling to make sure my right foot gets heavy once in a while.

 

[SHOdded]

Did you figure out the component causing the boost problem? Stuck wastegate perhaps?

 

[shaker281]

Using 93 gas, right? "Summer" blends should have made their way to the pump, probably filled up 2-3 times in last 2-3 weeks? Try a different gas station. If you have not used gas line antifreeze (e.g. HEET) this winter, throw in a bottle at fillup time and see if that helps restore performance. 1 bottle per tankful.

Check the usual culprits: dirty air filter, intake tubing and intercooler for oil pooling, 3 bar MAP for oil buildup, cracked turbo piping, all fluids for level & condition, spark plugs for wetness/fuel smell (leaky injector possibility).

Lot's of good advice. But, I would like to point out that since most gas is already 10% ethanol, adding a bottle of Heet (Ethanol) is probably not helpful anymore. Unless you live where gasoline has no ethanol.

 

[SHOdded]

HEET is actually 100% methanol, which soaks up the water, and also has a dispersant to help atomize/burn the water along with the rest of the fuel.

 

[gimpy]

Did you figure out the component causing the boost problem? Stuck wastegate perhaps?

Not sure where exactly the leak was coming from. Went through and 'snugged up' all piping/tubing just to be sure.

 

[SHOrod]

HEET is actually 100% methanol, which soaks up the water, and also has a dispersant to help atomize/burn the water along with the rest of the fuel.

Many years ago my dad stopped using HEET in favor of IPA since IPA was easy to find and quite a bit less expensive than HEET. You just had to make sure to get IPA and not rubbing alcohol since rubbing alcohol was already saturated with water.

-Rod

 

[SHOdded]

At about $1.50 or less a bottle for HEET, I've got no issues with it I'd rather be running methanol than IPA simply because of methanol's additional value as a fuel, but I suppose IPA is a lot less toxic to humans.