Fresh VRT - Working out the kinks

[dubinsincuwereindiapers]

thank you....even though it took me 5 min. just to figure out what you changed

LOL! I was gonna bold it, but meh. FWIW some 1.8t guys are changing over to GM ls coils for a more powerful spark, wider plug gap, and smoother idle, etc.

Gotta change the stock dwell in the ecu to gain full benefits tho.

[mike minnillo]

Here's another idea, and actually a couple issues that I faced too. First, is your bov/dv venting to atmosphere or recirculated? These maf based cars like to be recirculated back in the intake after the Max, but before the Turbo. Also, what size maf housing do you have? I'm not sure about the 30# software that you have, but I know that a lot of the c2 software calls for a 4" housing. Just some food for thought.

[Capt.Dreadz]

Non recirc BOV wouldn't cause the issues he's having. My car is not recirc & i rarely have issues.

[Insan3Vr6]

Here's another idea, and actually a couple issues that I faced too. First, is your bov/dv venting to atmosphere or recirculated? These maf based cars like to be recirculated back in the intake after the Max, but before the Turbo. Also, what size maf housing do you have? I'm not sure about the 30# software that you have, but I know that a lot of the c2 software calls for a 4" housing. Just some food for thought.

BOV is recirculating...I think. I have a vac line going from the top of the bov back into the intake...I have a 4" MAF.

Non recirc BOV wouldn't cause the issues he's having. My car is not recirc & i rarely have issues.

Ok I'm gonna regap the plugs tomorrow hopefully and come back with results. Would a leak in the intake cause the issues I'm having? THE ONLY possible leak I can think of is the IAT in the back of my manifold doesn't sit tight, I think the threads are f'd up...my CEL is on for 'reading too high' or something like that from the IAT...

[masterqaz]

THE ONLY possible leak I can think of is the IAT in the back of my manifold doesn't sit tight, I think the threads are f'd up...my CEL is on for 'reading too high' or something like that from the IAT...

Usually the answers we're looking for are right in front of us and we already know, but for some reason we over think it and move on to try and fix something else.

I'd start with what you know. If it isnt right fix it!

[Insan3Vr6]

Usually the answers we're looking for are right in front of us and we already know, but for some reason we over think it and move on to try and fix something else.

I'd start with what you know. If it isnt right fix it!

True, I do over think issues sometimes and usually it's the dumbest thing ever, but it'd rather be cautious and ask first in an area I'm not familiar with (forced induction). I'll post an update tomorrow.

[Insan3Vr6]

Regapped all the plugs to about .025. Idle smoothed a bit I guess, but I'm still having the same issue under throttle and when it first starts. Idle is super crappy, almost like the motor is about to die (I hear like a quick "SHACK" I think is coming from the passenger side when the idle is bogging).

When coming out of throttle, idle bounces and then it dies and the battery light turns on. I'm thinking a vac leak, but I have to take my SRI off to inspect it, and I just put a fresh gasket on there...not sure if I can get away with re-using it or once it's sealed that's it...

[Insan3Vr6]

This was when i was test fitting the front end. You can see the BOV...if that matters. The vac line isn't routed through there anymore FYI...so it's not pinched.

[Capt.Dreadz]

Timing off maybe? Did you take the head off?

[Insan3Vr6]

Timing off maybe? Did you take the head off?

Timing is def perfect. Chains were done when I removed the head to install the spacer + ARP studs.

[Insan3Vr6]

May have found the problem. The TB seems to have separated (again) from the intake manifold. Definitely a huge issue. Going to remove the intake and see if I can make a better seal...clearly it backed out under pressure.

[Insan3Vr6]

Removed intake...got a fresh gasket and made the TB fit much better...now I KNOW it's tight. Car does the same thing....I don't really smell gas that much anymore so I think I may have fixed something....

BUT. IDK why the car won't stay on unless persuaded and why it dies after throttle. I'm noticing now it just falls on it's face once I hit the gas.

Could this be an ignition problem? If so I'm chucking the MSD out the window and going back to stock.

[Insan3Vr6]

Changed back to stock ignition. No dice.

Car will turn over without a problem, but it won't stay on even if I hit the gas. I'm now getting throttlebody codes. I checked the plugs and the engine is not flooding or anything.

[masterqaz]

I would invest in a boost leak tester, its just nice to have and you never know. You could be having a fueling issue. I had a buddy with a gauge inline to the rail under his hood for fuel pressure, it was a nice touch and can prove handy on the fly when sorting issues.

Two great options which are both relatively cheap.

[Insan3Vr6]

True. But none of these things were happening at first, which is why it's blowing my mind right now. This is the worst the car has run since I first put it together....and I've been 'fixing' things as I go along.

I can hear the fuel pump priming, and it starts without any hesitation every time. It just never stays on, and I can't give it gas it just dies. I had a buddy adapt my throttlebody with VAG-COM and it did the same thing.

I unplugged the battery for a few to reset the computer, then I wanted him to do the tb adapt again and no matter what we did he couldn't get a response from the controller anymore . No fuses are blown or anything. Clearly I am getting fuel / spark / air...otherwise it wouldn't start...



HALP

[GinsterMan98]

True. But none of these things were happening at first, which is why it's blowing my mind right now. This is the worst the car has run since I first put it together....and I've been 'fixing' things as I go along.

I can hear the fuel pump priming, and it starts without any hesitation every time. It just never stays on, and I can't give it gas it just dies. I had a buddy adapt my throttlebody with VAG-COM and it did the same thing.

I unplugged the battery for a few to reset the computer, then I wanted him to do the tb adapt again and no matter what we did he couldn't get a response from the controller anymore . No fuses are blown or anything. Clearly I am getting fuel / spark / air...otherwise it wouldn't start...



HALP

Chip tune? Make sure the chip did not fall out of the ecu, trust me.
Wait, it runs? TB wont adapt?
Where did you relocate the grounds from the intake manifold? Are they in good shape?

[Insan3Vr6]

Chip tune? Make sure the chip did not fall out of the ecu, trust me.
Wait, it runs? TB wont adapt?
Where did you relocate the grounds from the intake manifold? Are they in good shape?

I adapted it once, but that didn't change anything. Ground from the intake manifold are on the timing chain cover now, seems to be fine. And yeah, the car ran 'ok' besides the random stalling after hitting throttle, and before I was able to ONLY keep the car on by tapping the gas first, otherwise it would stall. After that the car idled high, but it stayed on.

I ruled that issue down to a leak between the tb and intake manifold, so I fixed that up and here we are, except now I get nothing when I hit the gas...doesn't rev or anything.

Haha I did not check to see if the chip fell out, though that seems pretty unlikely...

[cstanley19]

Did you make sure that the MAF sensor is on correct? I had it on backwards and was getting the same symptoms. Sometimes it's just the stupid things, ya know?

[Insan3Vr6]

Did you make sure that the MAF sensor is on correct? I had it on backwards and was getting the same symptoms. Sometimes it's just the stupid things, ya know?

Yup yup. MAF sensor is on right, I even threw in a spare sensor and got the same results. Gotta be the TB....

[Insan3Vr6]

Gotta be the TB....

I wish. I just replaced the TB with a good one...same result.

[Insan3Vr6]

This is what it does.

Just starting the car - not hitting the gas.


Hitting the gas before it stalls out, and it 'idles' (if you can call it that) and it sounds like ****.

[Insan3Vr6]

[V-dubbulyuh]

That is running like azz. And not for nothing what's with the popping/backfiring?

Here is my suggestion list.

Get a pressure tester as already suggested by someone else.
Check the chip is seated properly/swap with a friend as already suggested by someone else.
Put a stock/unmolested throttle body on,
Put a stock/unmolested intake manifold on,
Put a stock/unmolested coilpack on


I had a poorly made SRI once cause all that backfiring etc as per your video. In my case the vac gauge still read correctly, the leak though minimal was enough to prevent the engine running unlessyou gave it gas.

[Insan3Vr6]

That is running like azz. And not for nothing what's with the popping/backfiring?

NO IDEA

Here is my suggestion list.

Get a pressure tester as already suggested by someone else.
Check the chip is seated properly/swap with a friend as already suggested by someone else.
Put a stock/unmolested throttle body on,
Put a stock/unmolested intake manifold on,
Put a stock/unmolested coilpack on

I'll check that the chip is still sitting correctly, I don't know anyone with turbo software sooo I don't think that's an option. I changed to another throttle body and swapped back to the stock coilpack, everything is in working order.

I had a poorly made SRI once cause all that backfiring etc as per your video. In my case the vac gauge still read correctly, the leak though minimal was enough to prevent the engine running unlessyou gave it gas.

Yeah my SRI sucks. Poorly put together. But from what I can tell it's not leaking anymore, but I'm not doubting much anymore. I would have to change a good amount to go back to the stock intake mani, so if anything I'll get a better SRI.

Answered in BOLD.

[V-dubbulyuh]

You can run the stock manifold and eliminate the intercooler to simplify your piping. I want to see if your popping is as a result of the manifold itself. I'm assuming you have easier access to a stock mani than having to source another SRI (especially if it turns out not to be the SRI). Your issue is at idle so you don't even have to drive it or boost to see if there is an improvement.

[vergessen wir es]

When you are cranking it sounds like you have no compression.

[Insan3Vr6]

I suppose, but I had the car running ok with this intake before...and I sold my stock intake

And I have compression..I can rev the piss out of it and it never stumbles or anything....just won't idle right

[GinsterMan98]

I suppose, but I had the car running ok with this intake before...and I sold my stock intake

And I have compression..I can rev the piss out of it and it never stumbles or anything....just won't idle right

Try resetting the fuel trims.
1. Delete any codes, even if there are none.
2. Adapt the TB
3. Start the car and let it warm up at idle for 20 min, don't rev it.
4. Watch your short term fuel trim and see if it settles less than + or - 10% from 0.
5. If the short term trims out and stays above 10, your O2 is not working correctly, the MAF is bad or you have a vac leak.
6. Next drive the car at highway speed at varying loads until the long term fuel trim settles, same as idle trim.

You monitor O2 regulation via the OBD screen on Vag Com. BS1 is your main O2 sensor

[Insan3Vr6]

Try resetting the fuel trims.
1. Delete any codes, even if there are none.
2. Adapt the TB
3. Start the car and let it warm up at idle for 20 min, don't rev it.
4. Watch your short term fuel trim and see if it settles less than + or - 10% from 0.
5. If the short term trims out and stays above 10, your O2 is not working correctly, the MAF is bad or you have a vac leak.
6. Next drive the car at highway speed at varying loads until the long term fuel trim settles, same as idle trim.

You monitor O2 regulation via the OBD screen on Vag Com. BS1 is your main O2 sensor

The problem there is I can only keep the car on if I hit the pedal a few times after ignition (second video). I will NOT stay on unless I do that...just turns right off (first video).

[GinsterMan98]

You didin't leave a rag in a pipe somewhere did you? I did it once, lol.

[Insan3Vr6]

You didin't leave a rag in a pipe somewhere did you? I did it once, lol.

Haha no, definately not. I don't know how many times I've gone over the piping / vac lines. Everything is tight.

I thought I saw some smoke coming from near my 02 sensor though? I don't have alot of time to run to the front of the car after it's on...I dont' like letting it run like that to risk damage.

[Insan3Vr6]

I swapped my ECU back to the stock one (stock chip), and I thought I figured it out because the car didn't shut off right away and it idled alot higher at first, but smooth. Then it slowly made it's way back down and idled like crap again (me figuring because it was a stock chip)

I put my chipped ECU in and I started it and it didn't turn off, but idled like super ****. Put the stock ECU back in again to confirm, and it just shut right off again like it always has.

WHATTHE****

[GinsterMan98]

Man, I just sounds like you got a big vac leak. I popped a coupler off on time and it acted like this.

[dubinsincuwereindiapers]

Man, I just sounds like you got a big vac leak. I popped a coupler off on time and it acted like this.

This..

Why haven't you pressure tested yet? Its standard procedure, and you can't properly diagnose a damn thing on a Turbo car if you haven't first ruled out any and all leaks (even pinhole leaks) in the entire intake tract; including but not limited to...

All intake plumbing

EVERY vacuum line

Intake manifold

Injector seals

Etc.. etc..

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?t=2692757

From the 1.8t technical forum, but applicable to ALL Turbo cars.

[Insan3Vr6]

This..

Why haven't you pressure tested yet? Its standard procedure, and you can't properly diagnose a damn thing on a Turbo car if you haven't first ruled out any and all leaks (even pinhole leaks) in the entire intake tract; including but not limited to...

All intake plumbing

EVERY vacuum line

Intake manifold

Injector seals

Etc.. etc..

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?t=2692757

From the 1.8t technical forum, but applicable to ALL Turbo cars.

My tester thing hasn't come in yet, I ordered one from turboboostleaktesters.com I don't know where else it could leak, but I will obviously make good use of the tool.

When the car idle's like that the vac bounces between 2-1...lol Then obv when it stalls it hits 0. I don't know how many times I have to check all the couplers and pipes / lines...because I put the car together and it was all good.