Craig needs help!

calvin · Post by **calvin** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 8:31 am

Hi folks

Craig is on his way down for his Walshy day and I'm posting this on his behalf as he has no internet access.

He was travelling down the motorway, filled up with Shell Optimax from one third full about an hour ago, since then every 3 to 5 minutes the engine stutters, drops a hundred rpms for a split second sometimes once sometimes twice or three times in succession.

Any help on what this could possibly be would be greatly appreciated. I will get back to Craig with any replies.

Please help
thank you so much
Lorna

MacK · Post by **MacK** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 8:39 am

One for some of the others I think.

But maybe a crap batch of fuel, I would consider stopping and filling up again, maybe useing regular unleaded, to try and dilute the crap fuel (if that's what it is)

robin · Post by **robin** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 8:43 am

Does he normally run on optimax? The toyota engine no doubt has a knock sensor, which would allow the ECU to tweak the ignition timing to get the most from the fuel. If the stuttering really did happen exactly when he filled up with fuel, I would revert to using whatever fuel he normally uses.

Cheers,
Robin

calvin · Post by **calvin** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 8:47 am

Thanks MacK

I've been having a chat at work about it and that seems to be what they think in here too. Hopefully that will be all it is

Lorna

calvin · Post by **calvin** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 8:51 am

robin wrote:Does he normally run on optimax? The toyota engine no doubt has a knock sensor, which would allow the ECU to tweak the ignition timing to get the most from the fuel. If the stuttering really did happen exactly when he filled up with fuel, I would revert to using whatever fuel he normally uses.

Cheers,
Robin

Thanks Robin

I don't think he does (I know I don't when I fill her up), I think he's trying to be kind to her as she's about to be battered tomorrow

I will suggest that he goes back to using the normal fuel - and tell him the techie stuff you put in your post

thanks again
Lorna

calvin · Post by **calvin** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 9:05 am

Hi guys

Just spoken to Craig and given him the feedback - a huge thanks from him and me

Strangely enough it hasn't happened since his panic phonecall to me

He only uses Optimax once in every 4 to 6 tanks at Graeme's recommendation. He will be filling up with the usual stuff next time he stops.

Thanks again - I know he feels so much better having you guys help out (rather than just me with no knowledge whatsoever

)

take care

Lorna

Post by ed » Wed Jun 13, 2007 9:10 am

Glad hes got it sorted!

calvin · Post by **calvin** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 9:18 am

Thanks Ed

L

tut · Post by **tut** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 3:33 pm

That really would be ridiculous if there was anything in the ECU/electronics of the 111R that affected it when running on Optimax, or any other pump fuel above 95 Octane.

Agree though that it may be some weird blip, so first thing is to refill again to eliminate contaminated fuel, highly unlikely, or the bloody electronics that rule our lives nowadays, far more likely.

Bloody immobilisors, bloody alarms, bloody plips, bloody ECU's, bloody looms, bloody black boxes, bloody countless fuses in different places all over the car, etc, etc, etc..............

Twin carbs, distributor, battery, oh happy days.

tut

dezzy · Post by **dezzy** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 4:57 pm

Is Optimax the same as VPower? I use VPower all the time and have not had any problems, although I do get a lumpy idle sometimes, which MMC have never been able to trace the root cause of. I've got latest ECU software. Could it be the petrol?

Surely VPower is better for the engine?

MacK · Post by **MacK** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 4:59 pm

Yea, V-Power is a rebrand of Optimax.

V-Power is meant to have additives and detergents in it to keep the engine clean.

robin · Post by **robin** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 9:19 pm

Tut, I agree it shouldn't work that way, but as it has a knock sensor if there is anything wrong with the fuel that's causing it to burn too fast, the ECU will react by backing off ignition timing and thus you will notice a drop in performance and if it does this quickly you'll notice change in engine running speed at constant throttle.

Better it work that way than blow the engine up ...

Cheers,
Robin

craigieb · Post by **craigieb** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 10:16 am

thanks for all the posts guys. se at its best

the stuttering just seemed to stop, pretty much as soon as I'd asked Lorna to post on the forum

the power of se at work

having said that an hour later cruising down the motorway, revs drop like a stone, mil light on and I limp her onto the hard shoulder.

do the press button in, door open, flick ignition ten times thing. mil light still on

but power back so limp to next service station an go and have a coffee. half an hour later no mil light

..and she's managed a ful day of abuse at North Weald and an 8.5 hour journey home without a blip!

cheers
craig

Post by ed » Fri Jun 15, 2007 11:08 am

Glad to hear it!

How good are Walshy days?!?!?!?

craigieb · Post by **craigieb** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 11:11 am

ed wrote:Glad to hear it!

How good are Walshy days?!?!?!?

..i was thinking of doing a vague write up