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Well tuned engine?; Explain to the noobie?
Topic Started: Jul 18 2009, 07:49 AM (1,932 Views)
hdsheena
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Still new, but learning...

I'm wondering if some of you amazing folks could describe some of the processes that go inti a "well tuned engine". I'm not super car-savvy, but I can hold my own. I'm not asking about mods, just this "tuning" idea. I am thinking it means stuff like replacing spark plugs, etc? Thanks!!
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Johnny Mullet
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Fear the Mullet

Basic Tuneup includes........

Plugs
Wire Set
Cap
Rotor
Fuel filter
Air filter
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Bad Bent
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Facetious Educated Donkey

:gp and it used to be "points, plugs and condenser."

So Johnny's "Plugs, Wire Set, Cap, Rotor, Fuel filter, Air filter" are pretty much plug-n-play.
Depending on the plug, you may have to gap them with a gapping tool, preferably a wire "go/no-go" tool, .039-.043 in. for a 1.0 G-10. I use Bosch Platinum +4s; no gap to adjust. The valve lifters are hydraulic. :smackface The timing belt may have stretched a little. You may want to get a timing light to check the timing and run a little advance of 2-3 degrees. Or do it by ear. :whistle While it's running, if you have an EGR... press on the EGR diaphragm, have your car turn it's head and see if it coughs. :lol (it should sputter)

I like to do Johnny's Seafoam Maintenance or at least the part about adding 5-6 oz to the Throttle Body and some to the gas tank. Clean the PCV, does it rattle (?), check tire pressure and battery corrosion. Give a moderate tug on the top of the front wheels to check the bearings.
Besides loose nuts and bolts (on the car), we're laughin'.
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mwebb
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FOG


i would strongly recommend that you do not use Bosch platinum+4 spark plugs ;
in any application,
for any reason.

in my own personal experience ,
they are not good , i just bought a mercury sable that allegedly had a bad engine because the shop working on the car could not identify or solve a misfire problem .
it had brand new bosch platinum +4 spark plugs . misfire counters were high on cylinder 3 but no mechanical problems ,
checked the plugs just to see .....
replaced them with cheap NGK tr55 , misfire solved .

my metro had bosch platinum plugs in it when i got it ....guess what the first thing was that i replaced .

imho ;
aftermarket bosch platinum spark plugs of any flavor should be banned .
this does not include OEM Bosch plugs shipped with cars from new ,Bosch OEM part #s are good and very often necessary to ensure proper operation.

and the junk air filter with oil in the filter material ....
that starts with "K" , another nightmare being foisted on the DIY car people .
good marketing , for a terrible air filter .
..................................
last summer we did a valve job on a VW GTi , first car i ever saw with bad intake valve guides and good exhaust valves and guides ...
grit had got past the "K.." air filter and ....
the rest is history.

and if the car has a MAF sensor , guess how much the MAF sensor sensing element likes to be coated with fine oil droplets and dust ,
NOT AT ALL -
if you have system lean codes , first thing is to check is the MAF sensor element and the air filter .
of course ,
no metro has a MAF sensor , but they do have intake valve guides .
Edited by mwebb, Jul 18 2009, 09:18 PM.
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chads4dr


mwebb
Jul 18 2009, 09:09 PM
i would strongly recommend that you do not use Bosch platinum+4 spark plugs ;
Amen to that!!!! they suck, NGKs are my favorite and they are the reconmended plugs for these cars i believe.
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Johnny Mullet
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My Metro loves the standard NGK plugs. I have never tried Bosch platinum+4 plugs since I never had any luck with their other plugs.
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Coche Blanco
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I just bought some Bosch +2's, i'll see how they go.
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mwebb
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FOG

Coche Blanco
Jul 19 2009, 04:44 PM
I just bought some Bosch +2's, i'll see how they go.
imho you should take them back , do not install them ,trade them in on something good.

if you must have multi electrode spark plugs the two versions shown below are both quality spark plugs of the correct heat range and they come pre gapped to .040" which is inside the specification for
a 1996 1.0 3 cylinder geo metro engine .

use antisieze ,
sparingly and do not get any on the ceramic insulator for the center electrode .
18ftlbs . it matters .

Posted Image
right click on image , from the drop down menu select "view image" to enlarge the image

if the shop you work for is not a WorldPac customer , you should suggest they check out what worldPac has to offer ...
Edited by mwebb, Jul 19 2009, 08:33 PM.
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Dallas


chad8329
Jul 19 2009, 12:51 AM
mwebb
Jul 18 2009, 09:09 PM
i would strongly recommend that you do not use Bosch platinum+4 spark plugs ;
Amen to that!!!! they suck, NGKs are my favorite and they are the reconmended plugs for these cars i believe.
the spark will only travel to the "closest" one with the least resistance. the only advantage of these 4 prong plugs is if they get gummed up, it will arc to the next nearest one.

that said I only use ngk coppers, my car is pretty sensitive with all its mods, and the sparking is sometimes tricky when igniting almost three atmospheres in my motor. the coppers dont last as long though. also make sure you get the proper heat range of plug, stock works for a stock/bolt on car

some people also say you can gain a pony or two by angling the spark plug gap towards the exhaust valve. however, with torquing my plugs in properly, they never line up that way so I say screw it.

I change plugs every 2nd oil change which is roughly 12000km. im sure coppers can go longer than that too.
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starscream5000
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Got 70 MPG?

My plugs are currently gapped at .039" per the sticker under the hood. Does the car get better fuel economy with a larger gap or a smaller gap?
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Will
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Victory is mine!!!!

Another vote for the standard NGK plugs. I tried a few with my Metro, but found these best.

The other good thing about the Metro is that is gets such good mpg that small problems have a big impact. What I mean is that if you monitor your mpg on every tank you will see that your results will start to dip long before there are any other symptoms of a problem. At least, this is my experience.
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Bad Bent
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Facetious Educated Donkey

'Normally plug gap increases .001" per 2500 miles requiring increased voltage and efficiency will drop as the gap widens along with fuel economy and power.' - Chilton.

Two year old (13,000 mi) #2 Bosch Platinum +4:
Posted Image
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vpoppv
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[ *  * ]
Yet one more vote for NGK. I used to be a huge fan of Bosch +4 in the BG days (Before Geo), but it seems like I have pulled all kinds of different plugs out of these cars: none seem to look as good as the NGK's. It's like some kind of voodoo that one plug could work better than others in a specific car, but whatever....
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starscream5000
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Got 70 MPG?

Bad Bent
Aug 12 2009, 11:50 AM
'Normally plug gap increases .001" per 2500 miles requiring increased voltage and efficiency will drop as the gap widens along with fuel economy and power.' - Chilton.

Two year old (13,000 mi) #2 Bosch Platinum +4:
Posted Image
With that type of reasoning, a smaller gap would increase power and fuel economy then, but I've heard it said both ways. So the question is which is true and what gap is the "sweet spot" for fuel economy?
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vpoppv
New Member
[ *  * ]
I'm curious if gap changes would affect fuel economy. The computer does a lot of compensating to get to "stoichiometric combustion" , or ideal burning conditions. Obviously changes can be made to make a car more efficient, I just wonder how much of it is controlled by the ECM....
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