Alright guys, having a bit of a nightmare at the moment with my version 3 type r. The car has an issue where it feels flat on boost, idles like crap, misfires, and occasionally cuts out. Throttle response is rubbish too, it almost seems to die then pick itself up if you rev it while sitting at idle.

Now the really fun part. The past few weeks have been stupidly irritating trying to find out what the problem is, and the car has had (ahem):-

- knock sensor
- camshaft sensor
- crankshaft sensor
- idle control valve with new gasket
- air flow meter
- fuel pump
- coil pack
- leads
- spark plugs
- Cambelt (I.e timing checked)

Probably a few other things that I've forgotten. All of this has had minimal effect on the car and its driving me crazy to the point of wanting to sell. The car is booked to be mapped on the 16th of January but I can't get it mapped like this, I wouldn't make it there at this rate! Any ideas of what it can be? Thanks in advance!

 

Dodgy earth maybe?

I don't think it's uncommon, but maybe an earthing kit may help, or give the existing a right good see'ing too.

I can't remember properly, I think the V3 has 3 or 5 main earth points.

But I'm sure someone will be along shortly to clear it up

 

Cheers for the reply, it's driving me mad, and having to spend all this money around Christmas is a bit rubbish

 

Could be an Air leak, spray some wd40 round the base of manifold and throttle body, see if it affects idle and check all vacuum lines.
Jay

 

Everything has already been checked for air leaks (pipe work, manifold, throttle body etc) in the method described with no bad findings so to speak. Cheers for your input though, mate

 

Can you get an ecu from another car to try? Worth a try
Jay

 

Not really unless I buy one, it has an apexi power fc in there at the moment

 

What sort of mods have been done to it?

Has it been mapped before?

Who is doing the map?

It could be the MAF sensor, if you're going MAFless it could sort all your promblems.

With the list of things done, has everything been replaced except the cambelt or is that everything that's been checked?

Have you followed all you vacuum leads to make sure they're are no leaks, splits, bad connections etc?

 

Hate to be the one to bring this up but have you had a compression test done as sounds exactly the same as my other impreza sti which turned out to be a bent valve and a hole In one piston

 

Can you give us more info on the spec of your car.

What air filter is on it? I hope it's not a ITG oiled one as these have been known to kill MAF in as little as couple of miles

If it's not the maf then It could be air leak, I know you've check but have you checked the Y pipe under the intercooler, the intercooler itself for splits or the pipe from the airfilter/box to the turbo.

 

Hi it has fuel pump, full decat, apexi power fc. Did have a forge vta on there that was added by the previous owner AFTER it was mapped by API so I had a standard recirc fitted. Panel filter as well. It's being remapped by Simon Roe. Everything on that list has been changed, including the Cambelt, all tensioners, water pump, oil pump. Have followed all the vacuum lines with no splits or bad connections. Thanks for the reply

 

Take it TFs stew is a good guy he in Surrey he only works on scoobs

 

any codes show when black plugs connected? possibly fuel regulator if still standard?

 

Bad fuel or filter, or there has been a lot of water ie floods and rain about and classic's having bonet vent's, just a thought as i'v had both issues before
on a classic.
good luck tho.

 

Do you have the hand commander? You could log some of the input sensors and make sure they are reading correctly.

 

Compression test? Sounds like its down on a cylinder as I said before

 

Cheers guys. It's had a new fuel filter. Has gone through a fresh tank of fuel like this and issues started a couple of months ago when the weather was ok. I don't have the hand controller and you cannot read flash codes with a power fc. Will get the car compression tested ASAP. Thanks for all of your replies, any other ideas greatly appreciated!

 

i would buy a hand commander,reset the ECU and go get it mapped again.

 

check the earths, they can screw up everything, check the one to the front panel , mine had corroded and was doing all sorts of wierd stuff.

 

Not much point and won't be able to if engine is fooked for cost of a compression test to see how internals are its defo worth doing first

 

My mistake gents, it's been compression tested last week and was fine. Going to check all the hosed and pipes with an absolute fine tooth comb, I have a Turbosmart fpr that I bought for a different scoob that can be fitted, other than that I'm running out of ideas. Thanks for all your replies once again!

 

have you check intake pipe for fine splits at the turbo end ?? common issue and hav had same on 2 other classics before

 

No I havent! Is it possible to get an uprated one? Would this cause idling issues though?

 

yes it causes idle issues and boost issues.

caused bad idle and general boost issues on both my v3 sti and v3 type R

 

What he said.

 

You can borrow my apexi ecu, it's not currently on can and I got commander too

 

Nackered lambda sensor would be my guess mate had it on mine not long ago

 

+1 for air leak between turbo intake and air mass meter.

Also the parts you have fitted eg - the air mass meter, are they brand new genuine parts or second hand - if second hand it could be faulty even from a working car as the ecu learns as it degrades and upon restting the ecu or changing to another car it doesn't work any more.

Also do you have a boost gauge fitted? If so what is it reading with the engine running at idle?

 

This^^^^

 

Sorry for not replying sooner guys, hectic Christmas at work!! I am going to try a lambda sensor now as it has been thrown up a few times, any idea where the best place to get one from is? I shall also have a look at the turbo inlet pipe. All the sensors are second hand but multiple ones have been tried of each sensor if that makes sense. Luckily one of my old mans mates has a power fc and commander he can Lend me if needed, bit of a turn up for the books!

For now though, it's time to stop wanting to set light to the car, and enjoy Christmas with the family. Merry Christmas to you all, and thank you for the help, it really is much appreciated!