15% load at idle?

[MyBeatGSX]

Why does that not sound right? I see 15% load at idle with only the radio on and 17% with the lights on also. That can't be right. I only see about 5-8% during deceleration, so I don't see why idle would be 10% higher than that.

 

[MyBeatGSX]

I realize bumping is bad, but I can't believe no one can give me a hint on this. I searched around and didn't find much other than that retarded timing can simulate load. But my timing is set correctly at 5*. I also found it strange that in that topic, the guy's car ran better with more base timing advance, so does mine (like 15*). However I don't have any of the other symptoms he has, just high load and crappy idle. He was also seeing like 14* advance on his logger, I'm only seeing the normal 6-8*.

 

[GVR4592]

15% load? I'm not sure I follow. What are you using to determine load?

 

[MyBeatGSX]

The ECU's calculated load. I'm watching it on the logger.

 

[GVR4592]

I don't know how it's calculated so I can't even guess on what it should be.

What does your boost guage read at idle?

 

[92awddsm]

Couple of quick questions. First off, how do you know the base timing is at 5*. The only way to tell on a 2g with a 6 bolt is with a timing light and dsmlink. A pocket logger does not have the capabilities to jump the timing ground in order for you to check base timing. If you are just reading timing at idle and got it set to 5* according to the logger, I can almost gaurantee your base timing is well below 5*.

Next question is who is the mysterious guy you are talking about?

I also found it strange that in that topic, the guy's car ran better with more base timing advance, so does mine (like 15*). However I don't have any of the other symptoms he has, just high load and crappy idle. He was also seeing like 14* advance on his logger, I'm only seeing the normal 6-8*.

Third question would be what load are you talking about? Electrical load, engine load, fuel system load, etc? Your thread so far almost makes no sense at all.

 

[MyBeatGSX]

Its calculated engine load. You guys have never seen an engine load readout on a scan tool?

My car is magical because its the only '96 in the world with the timing ground plug. Base timing was checked and set with a light, 5*.

As for the mysterious guy, do a topic title search for "idle load". Only one thread comes up and someone linked to the topic I'm refering to in like the 3rd post.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=184293&highlight=engine+load

Link to the other topic is in the second post.

 

[GVR4592]

Well have you checked the obvious things that have to do with air metering? What does your boost gauge read at idle.

 

[MyBeatGSX]

18-20in/hg, depending how much I've been beating on it, weather, car's mood, etc. The more I beat on it the better the idle vacuum (I'm guessing the plugs are cleaner). But it never changes the fact that it shows 15%-20% load depending on the accessories that are on.


And yes, all obvious things are checked. Timing belt was just done, it did the same thing before the belt was changed. I specifically asked if it was in time with the previous belt job and the shop said yes (reputable local DSM shop).

 

[GVR4592]

I guess I just don't see what the problem is. The calculated load could be thrown off by a number of things, including the SAFC or a hacked maf sensor/gm maf. Does the engine run ok? What are other people seeing for calculated load?

 

[MyBeatGSX]

I wish I knew what people saw for load at idle (that's kind of the point of this topic). It was usually 2-3% on the Toyotas I've seen. The load I'm seeing at idle is the same that I'm seeing while crusing at 40-50mph, that isn't right.

No it doesn't idle good, it idles like crap. I don't have a hacked MAF, and the SAFC should make for less calculated load because of a -18% correction at idle.

 

[GVR4592]

Be more specifc about the crappy idle, somebody may be able to give you some idea's if we know what's going on.

 

[MyBeatGSX]

Its been discussed in about 12390483290 other topics that I've made, I wish I could remember the titles. RPM fluctuates +/- 100rpm, there's a constant misfire/roughness to it, vacuum fluctuates 18-20. Its just not smooth, the engine has a consistent stumble, RPM drops, vacuum drops, timing drops, load increases, etc. This happens at irregular intervals not less than once every second and as much as nearly constantly.

 

[kazzam]

is your o2 cycling like it is suposed to? Did you set your base fuel presure to 43 after the car has warmed up and been driven for a little(the heat in the engine bay will relax the spring in the afpr and so your base will fluctuate when temp change)?

 

[GVR4592]

Its been discussed in about 12390483290 other topics that I've made, I wish I could remember the titles. RPM fluctuates +/- 100rpm, there's a constant misfire/roughness to it, vacuum fluctuates 18-20. Its just not smooth, the engine has a consistent stumble, RPM drops, vacuum drops, timing drops, load increases, etc. This happens at irregular intervals not less than once every second and as much as nearly constantly.

Does the engine smoke at all? When was the last time you replaced the spark plug wires? What plugs are you using and what are they gapped at? Does the fluctuating vacuum smooth out as RPM increases? Do any of the symptoms occur at any rpm range other than idle?

Even if the shop told you the cam timing is correct, I would still check it out.

 

[iiiwildfireiii]

Just to throw my two cents in.

Back when I still had my logger, I had, on occasion, checked out the engine load section a few times. It was always hovering around 15 to 20% no matter if I was in drive, park, or whatever accessories were on. Granted, I'm an automatic so I'm not sure if that might affect the readout or not, but I can tell you that my engine was in top notch shape. Only had 50,000 miles on it, boost leak tested solid and was generally well maintained.

I was curious about the fairly high load on it myself at first, but I eventually just shrugged and gave up on it. I gave the logger to a friend once I got DSMLink, but since I have to go pick my car up tomorrow (Saturday at the latest) at his house I'll run another check on both our cars (his is a manual) and see if our engine loads vary or whatnot. Who knows, yours might be normal?

Its been discussed in about 12390483290 other topics that I've made, I wish I could remember the titles. RPM fluctuates +/- 100rpm, there's a constant misfire/roughness to it, vacuum fluctuates 18-20. Its just not smooth, the engine has a consistent stumble, RPM drops, vacuum drops, timing drops, load increases, etc. This happens at irregular intervals not less than once every second and as much as nearly constantly.

Now, on to your other problems. You're venting. Aight, I can deal with that. Start the car and let it warm up. Put your hand over the discharge port of your BOV and make sure you seal it completely. Does the engine still idle funny? Once upon a time, I tried venting for a day. The engine did pretty much what yours is doing. The diaphram was not seating properly and kept leaking metered air to the atmosphere.

If that changes nothing, try unplugging your ISC and see if the idle still fluctuates. Didn't help? I can't believe I'm even bothering saying this but, do a boost leak test. *somewhere, huddled in the corner of a garage, sleeping on a pallet next to his car and computer, Defiant rolls over, muttering in his sleep*

Your pipes holding pressure rock solid? Check your cam timing. Rotate to top dead center and see if your marks line up. If they do, give 'er a few more cranks and check again. Still having issues?

Eh, I'm out of ideas. Screw this, I'm seepie. G'nite.

-Breven-

 

[MyBeatGSX]

The O2 is less than a year old and cycling just fine.

Base fuel pressure is set correctly.

Engine doesn't smoke at all.

I have no plug wires, I have COP. It did this even with the stock coils and brand new NGK wires. I thought the COP would fix it, it did not.

I change my plugs at every oil change. I've tried gaps between .025-.030 its the same no matter what.

I'm not venting the BOV.

Nothing leaks. Pressure drop on the boost leak test is about 1psi every 2 seconds down to 15psi, then it takes 5+ minutes to hit 0.

ISC is brand new. My drivers in the ECU must be dead because it has absolutely no control over the idle. This makes no difference however, it had the problem when the ISC was working too.


I guess all that's left is checking cam timing, which I'll have to wait until Sunday to do.

 

[linksys42]

just wondering if the timing was off? let us know. thanks

 

[Rice Over Wheat]

My idle load is 15. Rises over 35 on 50% throttle.

 

[ndsti]

My load is 15% too, I think my timing is off, logger says 33* at 50% throttle in 2nd gear. Logger says 15* at idle. Oh...my engine has crankwalk just waiting for it to completly die..hehehe

 

[tonydl]

Why does that not sound right? I see 15% load at idle with only the radio on and 17% with the lights on also. That can't be right. I only see about 5-8% during deceleration, so I don't see why idle would be 10% higher than that.

So idk about your logger,but im using a foxwell nt301 and it shows a load pct in the live data,i have a 97 spyder gst eclipse,what i noticed is that would be electrical load pct,when my alternators voltage regulator took a crap on me,that pct was running around 20ish at idle and my stereo would shut off at random during acceleration,now idk if yours is shutting off or not but i would start there possibly,i do know during acceleration that number can vary also but its allot higher obviously drawing more power to go.hope this helps.

 

[steve]

It's been 17 years for this post and about 15 since the OP was last here but thank you for that data point.