Car still running like shit! WTF is going on?

[WHITCHY]

Hey guys,

I've had the AE86 running and road legal for about 24hrs, and its already decided to pack it in.

Its running a CA18DET, controlled by a Microtech MT8.

The car leaks like a siv, so it looks like some water made its way down the wiring and into the ecu, I was driving down the road and the car just cut out, managed to pull over and tried to restart it and the hand controller screen just displayed black squares.
Pulled the ecu out and took it back to my mates place, pulled it apart and found a bit of water, got onto it with the hair dryer and dried it all out. Put it back in the car and it started running fine.

I got it back to my mates place fine, but now it won't idle, and it won't make any power, if I mash the accelerator from idle it won't rev and dies, and then there is a chronic smell of fuel, if I lightly and slowly accelerate, foot on, foot off, foot on etc. it will eventually build some revs, but it doesn't like it.

We have checked fuel pump, injectors, spark plugs and coils, there doesn't seem to be a problem there. Found a small vaccum leak at the throttle body, sealed that back up and no change.

Has anyone got any suggestions for things to try? Seen a similar problem? Cam timing has been suggested, so will check that out tomorrow morning.

Thanks in advance for any help and suggestions!

-Whitchy

[jimmmayyy]

Check the fault codes on the ECU, if nothing then check AFM, CAS, and ECU. These things are what generally fails with ECCS Nissan motors.

It does however sound like an AFM issue to me. If you're planning big power out of it, it might be worth while to go straight for the Z32 AFM mod.

-jimmy

*edit*

Just noticed you have a Microleb.. does it have any diagnostic function?

[thechuckster]

change ECU or plug a laptop into the ECU and see if it has any errors/issues.

[WHITCHY]

Thanks for the quick replys.


Don't have access to another MT8 with CA tune, taking it to Microtech tomorrow for repairs if they can find anything wrong with it.

Stupid MT8 doesn't plug into a laptop, but the hand controller has a diagnostics screen, everything is checking out OK on the ecu, only error showing is cause there is no air temp sensor plugged in.

[Duk]

I once had a car with a Digi 2 in it. That actually decided to change some of it's settings one time and caused it to run 'uber rich
It was something stupid too, like an accelerator pump setting.

[TurboRA28]

This is why I don't like Microdribbles

[-GT-]

CAS, is the first thought from the behaviour you describe, or some random setting change - but the fact it got wet at the same time the symptoms started...

[EldarO]

mate had this shit happen
was power fc though.

AFM fail!

he even plugged another one in to test and that one was fucked too ahhahah

[jonathan yee]

doesnt the microtech get rid of the AFM....?

thought they where all internal MAP sensored. well mine is anyway...........

[WHITCHY]

Ok, this is seriously getting f**king ridiculous now!

The ECU is back, and repaired, apparently it had some burnt out earth tracks.

We have replaced coil packs, and fuel pressure regulator, added more earths and its still being a piece of shit!

We pulled the front timing cover off, and it looks like the exhaust cam had slipped a tooth, and the timing belt was a bit loose, fixed this up, and it has made things worse!

If we clamp the return fuel line the car will happily rev and idle fine. Swapped the fuel pump out yestrday and still no change, it is getting good voltage.
Going to get a fuel pressure gauge this week and get that tested.

Has anyone got any suggestions for other things we should be looking for?

I just can't come to terms with the fact that the same day the ECU gets wet, something else major decided to pack it in, just to fuk with me!

Eldar/Jonothan yeah the Microtech is internal MAP, so no shitty AFM.

[Hiro]

If we clamp the return fuel line the car will happily rev and idle fine

Would that indicate that a fuel pressure reg isn't working properly?

[oldcorollas]

yah, borrow/swap pressure reg...

[WHITCHY]

You'd think so, but I've tried a different one and still the same problem! Could be a crapped out one also, will know for sure once the fuel pressure gauge is hooked up. But the mechanic I spoke to said it would be unlikely, fuel pressure regulators are pretty reliable.

[Hiro]

You'd think so, but I've tried a different one and still the same problem! Could be a crapped out one also, will know for sure once the fuel pressure gauge is hooked up. But the mechanic I spoke to said it would be unlikely, fuel pressure regulators are pretty reliable.

Just put a cable-tie really tight around the return line and hope it holds on?

[WHITCHY]

Yeah, thats how we have been clamping it, but I don't want to go driving around with it like that and risk washing the bores.