ElanScan working well, what should I look at first please?

[Owen L]

I've managed to build a cable, following Toby's instructions and it all went really smoothly, especially the software install, which just worked. soldering is rough and will improve soon. So far i've managed to run the car statically and revs to 3,000 rpm after a few minutes.

tomorrow, (Christmas Day 2022) the plan is to take the car for a run whilst all are sleeping in. My issue is one of boost. The car works well until 4,000 RPM at which point i would expect it to kick on, but it just seems to rev slowly up to 5.

Any advice on which variable to compare to try to spot the culprit. I'm thinking RPM v MAP and Wastegate Duty v RPM. What should i look at to show up Vacuum leaks?

Any help greatly appreciated. I think i save as a .ecu file correct?

[FunElan]

IAC position might show vacuum leaks. IIRC the value should be around 20. You'll have to compress your file and post it as a .zip here for it to work.

[Owen L]

IAC position might show vacuum leaks. IIRC the value should be around 20. You'll have to compress your file and post it as a .zip here for it to work.

What should I look for in the IAC data? Once I do a run aroud the block at temp I will definitely zip and upload.

[Owen L]

Here is the first three minutes from cold. no driving, just idling with a few revs up to 3,000. If anyone had the inclination to have a look and spot something odd, id really appreciate it.

[FunElan]

I can look at it after I'm back from Holiday! I left the ES computer at home. Hopefully someone here can read it for you in the meantime.

[Owen L]

I can look at it after I'm back from Holiday! I left the ES computer at home. Hopefully someone here can read it for you in the meantime.

That would be most appreciated. I've put a brand new battery into the car and done a longer run of about 12 minutes. i did a couple of runs above 4,000 rpm and one i think i managed closer to 6, before running out of road and limits. Scan attached.

I've poured through it with no knowledge, looking for something obvious. I'm pretty sure the Boost solenoid isnt energising but im no closer to understanding which input is preventing it. im not seeing any codes and the CEL is never on when running the car. The wategate duty cycle is in the 60's and should be in the 80's i think, but that only means the solenoid isn''t energising. I have to figure out WHY it isnt. Coolant is above 50 degrees after 2 minutes, so its not that at least.

All wisdom welcome.

[chrism]

ecu5.zip

Hi Owen L.

Though not an expert, I've attached a file that you can use for comparison. Hope it helps...

I didn't cane it or go very far - I was merely checking to see if my new O2 sensor was working after 1499 conversion, so there won't be any boost to compare...

ES can overlay two ecu files. I've done this with yours and I notice fuel:air mix looks a bit odd as does spark advance.

Perhaps this can keep you going until someone more knowledgeable comes along.

I might be able to find an ES file that FunElan posted a while ago too if you're interested in any further comparison. Let me know. Perhaps other forummers can send you theirs?

I've found that the raw figures mean much less to me than direct comparison. As soon as I saw that my stoic ratio was 14.7:1 and the sensor was working I didn't see a need to forage further.

[Owen L]

I’ll have a look at your data for sure, appreciate you posting it up for me. air/fuel mix and spark advance sounds interesting to think about. i wonder if my pump/filter are delivering at higher revs then. and of course the cam angle sensor always seems to come up in conversation. i really need to be able to examine my fuel pressure. i’m going to change the filter anyway. will do some more reading on the pump as well to see if i should be contemplating that. it obviously works, but perhaps it’s ageing out.

[Owen L]

Ahh. Ok. So I found a few scans of other folk who have shared in the past. Comparing my run shows my IAC is observably different. I believe IAC stands for Ignition Advance Control. So, I think i need to set my base timing before going too much further. I did change the timing belt and the car runs so much better and quieter since then. however, it's very possible the base timing needs doing. I do have the light gun but have never actually had to do this job on any car ive ever owned. so fun times ahead as i read up on how to get this set correctly. I will change out the fuel filter and pressure regulator anyway, as this seems obvious maintenance anyway.

Screenshot 2022-12-30 124139.png

[chrism]

Hi Owen L. You probably won't need it but here's another ES file that you can use for comparison. (It's a 'FunElan-ism' that he might have been meaning to send you...)

6-5FunElan typical.zip

Yep your IAC value seems a bit different but I think it stands for Input Air Control valve(?). I've read that these can cause trouble but have no experience yet, thankfully. I think I read somewhere that it might provide an extra response at larger throttle openings, but that's all I'm aware of...(it could explain your lack of response above 4000revs?)

I think you'll make huge improvements with your timing, fuel filter and pressure regulator plans in any case. These are on my 'to do' list and, so far, I've been avoiding their complexity - so please take some pics and be prepared to have your sleeve tugged for inspiration from at least one member of the forum

Loadsa luck; keep us informed and Happy New Year to you.

ps Looking forward to your Oz fireworks starting off all the celebrations...and apologies to FunElan for the presumption

[Owen L]

Ok, well that slightly scuppers my hopes it was the timing. The car idles really well, so puzzled now. i did read a load on the ever reliable interweb that IAC was ignition advance control, so looking again now. either way, its not normal, so need to investigate. Appreciate the post.

[Fredjohn]

IDLE AIR CONTROL

Engine management manual, EMK Section 2 page 4.

[Owen L]

IDLE AIR CONTROL

Engine management manual, EMK Section 2 page 4.

will definitely be changing that out anyway. access is the usual bane. Wondering if it's worth wrestling the whole inlet manifold off and changing all the vacuum pipes back there and maybe even the MAP as well? will ponder.

[FunElan]

Hi Owen L. You probably won't need it but here's another ES file that you can use for comparison. (It's a 'FunElan-ism' that he might have been meaning to send you...)

6-5FunElan typical.zip

Yep your IAC value seems a bit different but I think it stands for Input Air Control valve(?). I've read that these can cause trouble but have no experience yet, thankfully. I think I read somewhere that it might provide an extra response at larger throttle openings, but that's all I'm aware of...(it could explain your lack of response above 4000revs?)

I think you'll make huge improvements with your timing, fuel filter and pressure regulator plans in any case. These are on my 'to do' list and, so far, I've been avoiding their complexity - so please take some pics and be prepared to have your sleeve tugged for inspiration from at least one member of the forum

Loadsa luck; keep us informed and Happy New Year to you.

ps Looking forward to your Oz fireworks starting off all the celebrations...and apologies to FunElan for the presumption

Appreciate you sharing the file...guess I could've downloaded it from the other thread. I'm on holiday for another week, so, without my enormous old computer that I keep around for ElanScan

IAC = Idle air control valve as stated above, I was under the impression that this reading would showcase any vacuum leaks, which wouldn't make sense, as Owen has just refreshed all of his vacuum lines. Owen - perhaps it's time to get a good video of the issue, that way we can "feel" the issue with you. I've had great success videoing my issues, and posting them on youtube, then sharing the links here/facebook.

[Owen L]

Hi Owen L. You probably won't need it but here's another ES file that you can use for comparison. (It's a 'FunElan-ism' that he might have been meaning to send you...)

6-5FunElan typical.zip

Yep your IAC value seems a bit different but I think it stands for Input Air Control valve(?). I've read that these can cause trouble but have no experience yet, thankfully. I think I read somewhere that it might provide an extra response at larger throttle openings, but that's all I'm aware of...(it could explain your lack of response above 4000revs?)

I think you'll make huge improvements with your timing, fuel filter and pressure regulator plans in any case. These are on my 'to do' list and, so far, I've been avoiding their complexity - so please take some pics and be prepared to have your sleeve tugged for inspiration from at least one member of the forum

Loadsa luck; keep us informed and Happy New Year to you.

ps Looking forward to your Oz fireworks starting off all the celebrations...and apologies to FunElan for the presumption

Appreciate you sharing the file...guess I could've downloaded it from the other thread. I'm on holiday for another week, so, without my enormous old computer that I keep around for ElanScan

IAC = Idle air control valve as stated above, I was under the impression that this reading would showcase any vacuum leaks, which wouldn't make sense, as Owen has just refreshed all of his vacuum lines. Owen - perhaps it's time to get a good video of the issue, that way we can "feel" the issue with you. I've had great success videoing my issues, and posting them on youtube, then sharing the links here/facebook.

Well to be fair, i have only changed some of the vac pipes. The ones i can see. So it’s entirely possible there is a leak behind the intake. Given how smooth it runs though, i’m not sure. it does struggle to run for the first few seconds when stone cold but quickly clears up and runs perfectly. Is that a symptom of something perhaps. so many possibilities. i’m wary of the parts canon, so trying to use the scans to at least take some informed shots with my credit card. i’m tempted to remove the inlet pipe and coolant tank (again) and see if i can get any more vacuum pipes swapped out while it’s cold. then move onto the timing.

[FunElan]

Maybe try a smoke test to see if there’s a big leak.

[Owen L]

Maybe try a smoke test to see if there’s a big leak.

i did watch all the adapt a vape videos on that. If it's that bad a leak, why does it run so well? Saying that, it is a bit lumpy today. I'm about to do the timing, so if that is already spot on, then it's really time to investigate behind the plenum. could be the name of the LEC Podcast?

[Owen L]

So I broke out the big gun and had a go at adjusting the base timing. As it's an S2, i was able to use the positive post to attach the gun. The mark on the pulley seems to jump around a fair bit, but was initially below the 10 mark. I then adjusted the CAS upwards after loosening the 6mm allen key. I used a long screwdriver to gentle lever it up 2-3mm. Checking the timing again, the car ran a lot better but the mark seemed to be in mostly the same place. So i adjusted it upwards again. It's getting close to the maximum permitted movement now. Wheel back on, cover on CAS back on and off we went for a test drive with ES plugged in. Once i found the first straight, the difference was noteworthy. Much more willingness to rev past 4k rpm and with ongoing power. The car now has enough power to feel useable through the revs. I suspect i could further advance the timing and will have a go at that later today after my pulse rate returns to normal. The car is now quick enough that you have to be careful revving it in each gear as you are suddenly going that much quicker for any given gear and even starting to realise the suspension is actually quite old too. I've compared the IAC data from before and as you can see its now much lower. I think this makes sense. I'm sure there are lots of little things still not quite right. I'm going to disconnect the solenoid soon to see if that makes much difference as well. Oh and i think id better wash it. I think i have a working car for now. Certainly, enough to get back to all the other niggles anyway.

[Saltire]

Owen: Stupid Question Alert - you are putting the car into service mode before adjusting the base timing, aren’t you? Check the wiki for details

[Owen L]

Owen: Stupid Question Alert - you are putting the car into service mode before adjusting the base timing, aren’t you? Check the wiki for details

I did when it was in the garage. I took tools with me on a test run and gave it another tweak on the side of the road. didn't put it into Service mode for that tweak. What does that mean for the car?

Also it has now experienced a much higher set of revs than ever before in my ownership. Was a bit ticky at the end. Think I'd better give it some fresh oil. have a new sump to go on, so there's a morning.