My LCR has no engine-related running problems to speak of, but when giving it full beans - eg, from 2,500 to 5,700rpm in 3rd or 4th - its 1.8T felt slightly 'lumpy' as it revved and there was a definite sense of 'steps'/stages as the power kicked-in and increased - and low-rev throttle response was less than sparkling.
But hey, that's all typical of a turbocharged engine, right? Or maybe not...
My LCR is just over 10 years old (ie, Jan '03), has done c. 80k, is OEM spec, apart from a Forge 007, and I've owned it for the past 5-ish years. During which time its fuel diet has been an inconsistent mix of V-Power, Momentum99 and Sainsbury's SUL (97RON).
I'd heard that having the fuel injectors cleaned by a specialist can be beneficial for cars 'of a certain age', so I decided to take a punt.
I looked at Asnu's method but it's a bit of a faff - the injectors need to be removed, sent away for c. 48 hours for cleaning, then re-installed.
Then I noticed a local indie garage does injector cleaning on-site, without removing the injectors, and while-you-wait (it takes c. 1 hour), using a German set-up called Tunap, which, allegedly, is what Merc recommends/uses.
In effect, Tunap works like a kidney dialysis machine: it pumps cleaning fluid through the injectors and, in turn, it also cleans the inlet valves and combustion chamber.
Had my LCR 'Tunaped' this afternoon. Impressions? The engine 'feels like new', literally.
While leaving the garage, I immediately noticed that low-rev throttle response and torque is significantly improved and it generally feels 'lighter' and more eager to rev - the last mentioned is especially noticeable when blipping the throttle during down-shifts.
And in comparison, when revving in-gear from 2,500 to 5,700rpm, it now feels smooth and linear - more like a sweet-revving normally aspirated motor - and it definitely has more mid-range and top-end punch overall. (The roads were wet from rain this afternoon, and the TC light has been uncharacteristically flashing like a lighthouse.)
Not a bad result for £89 incl VAT![[B)]](/forums/styles/seatcupra/oldforumsmileys/shades.gif "Cool [B)]")
Also, diagnostics as follows:
Although, whether the above figures are a consequence of Tunap, I'm not sure.
Here's a vid showing/explaining Tunap, albeit with a dollop of marketing hyperbole and a clunky German-to-English translation - clickety
But hey, that's all typical of a turbocharged engine, right? Or maybe not...
My LCR is just over 10 years old (ie, Jan '03), has done c. 80k, is OEM spec, apart from a Forge 007, and I've owned it for the past 5-ish years. During which time its fuel diet has been an inconsistent mix of V-Power, Momentum99 and Sainsbury's SUL (97RON).
I'd heard that having the fuel injectors cleaned by a specialist can be beneficial for cars 'of a certain age', so I decided to take a punt.
I looked at Asnu's method but it's a bit of a faff - the injectors need to be removed, sent away for c. 48 hours for cleaning, then re-installed.
Then I noticed a local indie garage does injector cleaning on-site, without removing the injectors, and while-you-wait (it takes c. 1 hour), using a German set-up called Tunap, which, allegedly, is what Merc recommends/uses.
In effect, Tunap works like a kidney dialysis machine: it pumps cleaning fluid through the injectors and, in turn, it also cleans the inlet valves and combustion chamber.
Had my LCR 'Tunaped' this afternoon. Impressions? The engine 'feels like new', literally.
While leaving the garage, I immediately noticed that low-rev throttle response and torque is significantly improved and it generally feels 'lighter' and more eager to rev - the last mentioned is especially noticeable when blipping the throttle during down-shifts.
And in comparison, when revving in-gear from 2,500 to 5,700rpm, it now feels smooth and linear - more like a sweet-revving normally aspirated motor - and it definitely has more mid-range and top-end punch overall. (The roads were wet from rain this afternoon, and the TC light has been uncharacteristically flashing like a lighthouse.)
Not a bad result for £89 incl VAT
Also, diagnostics as follows:
- 0.001% CO
- 6ppm for HCs
- 0.999 for Lambda
- 15.38% C02
Although, whether the above figures are a consequence of Tunap, I'm not sure.
Here's a vid showing/explaining Tunap, albeit with a dollop of marketing hyperbole and a clunky German-to-English translation - clickety
Need to find one local to me in west sussex who does this... thanks for the heads up!
