A Few Problems With My R32

[flth32]

I got my r32 gts-t a few weeks ago. As soon as I got it I took it to the mechanics and spent about $1000 on it.. I just asked him to look all over it and find the main issues and fix them. He ended up doing a major service, replaced old fuel lines, replaced the timing belt, 'bushings?' or something (to do with the brakes).. but ANYWAY the point is he looked over it and got the major problems fixed.

But now there are other problems with it. Nothing really major, and I could easily live with it, but they're annoying and I want to fix them.

The problems:

- It spluttering at about 4000 rpm.. Its like the power is cutting in and out or something.. mainly happens when the engines cold. Sort of gets better when it warms up

- It backfires a lot.. is it running rich or something? .. should I get a new ECU/ remap

- It stalls if I'm going slow enough and at low enough revs.. For example when I'm rolling into the petrol station.. looks really cool

- It struggles to turn on when its cold. I need to help it turn on by revving it

- Feels weak after about 4000 rpm.. most due to the spluttering. but even when it isn't doing that it just has no go after then.. I dont know if it's just because it's a 2 litre, but it just feels unhealthy and weak.. like it's really struggling in the high revs

About the 'spluttering'. The mechanic told me my BOV was leaking and if I fixed that it should fix the problem. So I went and bought a new turbo smart BOV, put it on and it did make the car run better... but it still 'splutters'..

So yeah. any help would be appreciated.

(By the way I accidentally posted this before I was finished. Thats why it was only half a message before)

Edited March 19, 2008 by flth32

[abu]

Whens the last time you changed the spark plugs?

Put some NGK copper BCPR6ES plugs in and try that

Stalling is due to the ATMO Turbosmart BOV

[B0oStEr]

You should never be revving a cold engine to 4000rpm.

If the motor won't run after starting maybe the auxillary air valve could be stuffed.

Did you replace the sparkplugs? if that doesn't help it could be coils.

Is the TS bov plumb back?

[flth32]

You should never be revving a cold engine to 4000rpm.

Did you replace the sparkplugs? if that doesn't help it could be coils.

Is the TS bov plumb back?

No I don't think the spark plugs have been replaced, just cleaned. I'll try that.

And no it's a vee-port BOV (atmospheric). I actually asked the mechanic before I bought it, and asked will it being atmospheric cause problems and he said no.. obviously thats the problem though isn't it (with the stalling)

Edited March 19, 2008 by flth32

[dmr]

- It spluttering at about 4000 rpm.. Its like the power is cutting in and out or something.. mainly happens when the engines cold. Sort of gets better when it warms up

when the car is cold it will run in 'rich and retarded' mode until the temperature reaches normal. you'll get flat spots and fuel cuts. this is common.

if it's happening even when the car's warmed up then it may be a fuel cut due to lack of fuel or leaning out.

have you got an aftermarket fuel pump? what boost are you running?

- It backfires a lot.. is it running rich or something? .. should I get a new ECU/ remap

sounds like she's running rich. re-tuning the car will stop this once you set a nice A/F ratio.

wouldn't worry about it too much for the moment, it's better running rich than lean.

- It stalls if I'm going slow enough and at low enough revs.. For example when I'm rolling into the petrol station.. looks really cool

have you blocked off the standard bov? is your aftermarket bov too tight? does it flutter?

having a blocked bov will cause it to stall. it doesn't catch the idle in time and just cuts out.

- It struggles to turn on when its cold. I need to help it turn on by revving it

does it crank over and start spluttering for a couple seconds, until the engine pulls the revs up?

this may be due to the heat range spark plugs you use or the viscosity of the cold temp for the engine oil you use.

what spark plugs and engine oil do you use?

- Feels weak after about 4000 rpm.. most due to the spluttering. but even when it isn't doing that it just has no go after then.. I dont know if it's just because it's a 2 litre, but it just feels unhealthy and weak.. like it's really struggling in the high revs

if it's leaning out up top it may sound like it has no balls, but the RB20 usually has most of it's power up top. dyno tuning the car will show why it feels like crap up top.

Edited March 19, 2008 by dmr

[flth32]

when the car is cold it will run in 'rich and retarded' mode until the temperature reaches normal. you'll get flat spots and fuel cuts. this is common.

if it's happening even when the car's warmed up then it may be a fuel cut due to lack of fuel or leaning out.

have you got an aftermarket fuel pump? what boost are you running?

sounds like she's running rich. re-tuning the car will stop this once you set a nice A/F ratio.

wouldn't worry about it too much for the moment, it's better running rich than lean.

have you blocked off the standard bov? is your aftermarket bov too tight? does it flutter?

having a blocked bov will cause it to stall. it doesn't catch the idle in time and just cuts out.

does it crank over and start spluttering for a couple seconds, until the engine pulls the revs up?

this may be due to the heat range spark plugs you use or the viscosity of the cold temp for the engine oil you use.

what spark plugs and engine oil do you use?

if it's leaning out up top it may sound like it has no balls, but the RB20 usually has most of it's power up top. dyno tuning the car will show why it feels like crap up top.

Thanks for that man.

I'm not sure what spark plugs I've got (so yeah they did get replaced by my mechanic, but I dont know what brand they are...how can I find out.. ask my mechanic??). What engine oil should I use?

And I think the previous owner put an aftermarket fuel pump on. This is what he said but I don't actually know.. could this be causing problems?.. The spluttering?

Edited March 19, 2008 by flth32

[GeeTR]

Oh dear.

For starters R&R has nothing to do with cold start.

If the issue occurred after you got your car back from a professional mechanic... take it back, and make him FIX the issue that he caused.

Did you happen to purchase the BOV through him?

Edited March 19, 2008 by GeeTR

[abu]

Oh dear.

For starters R&R has nothing to do with cold start.

If the issue occurred after you got your car back from a professional mechanic... take it back, and make him FIX the issue that he caused.

Leaking bov eh?

I like the leaking BOV comments lol

Technically speaking it does leak

[R.3.2.G.T.R]

so u spend $1000 and didnt even get new spark plugs?

[flth32]

so u spend $1000 and didnt even get new spark plugs?

No, my bad. I actually did get new ones (I don't know why but I just thought I didn't).

And no unfortunately I didn't buy the BOV through him otherwise I'd ask to swap it for a plumb back one.

Thanks everyone I think I know the reason for most of the problems now..

Backfiring - running rich.. new ECU/remap

Stalling - loosen BOV or get plumb back

Top end - Maybe get it tuned down the track. Doesnt bother me enough right now

Still don't know about

'Spluttering' - thought it was plugs but I've got new ones. Could it be fuel pump (I think theres an aftermarket one on).. or maybe coil pack?

Struggling to turn on - this isnt that bad. Just weird and makes my car feel broken and crummy. Would be good if I could find out what it is

[FATAZZ]

well with my spluttering problem,i got it put on a dyno and they just regapped the plugs to suit the amount of air flowing,so it wouldn't blow out the spark.

[dmr]

Thanks for that man.

I'm not sure what spark plugs I've got (so yeah they did get replaced by my mechanic, but I dont know what brand they are...how can I find out.. ask my mechanic??). What engine oil should I use?

And I think the previous owner put an aftermarket fuel pump on. This is what he said but I don't actually know.. could this be causing problems?.. The spluttering?

i personally use Motul Turbolight, and so do alot of other RB/SR motorists. best all rounder, and only costs ~$50 per 5L.

the spark plugs may also cause the spluttering. if the gap is too big then boost will blow out the spark, causing a misfire/splutter as FATAZZ said. try using NGK BKR7E or BKR6E. they're my personal fav. i've tried BCPR7ES and BCPR6ES but didn't like them as they caused my car to slightly misfire.

your mechanic probably put NGK iridiums, as most mechanics like to make you spend the extra dollar if you don't know what's best. iridiums are crap and waste of money. stick with copper plugs.

hope this helps