salutations one and all! Happy new year to everyone, and best wishes for 2007!

Now! Few things! My 97 Exec Auto has recently had a serious (over 5k) overhaul and after its week in the shop (and subsequent returns due to f**kwit mechanics) I have serious issues.

I've read thru some other threads, and it seems a common problem after some work. I have had my 2.5" cat back with pacemaker headers done for about 4 months now, and O2 sensor is fine. Also had my K&N Filter for about the same, and its clean and oiled.

My car was being "fixed" by Ultratune at Strathpine (NO ONE EVER, I MEAN EVER GO THERE) where I got timing belt, new NGK Iridium sparks all round, cleaned throttle body & injectors, new slots and Bendix pads, new lower sports Pedders shocks, new power steering rack, CV joints, oil, brake fluid, tune, the works done. The following day, the beautiful darling would stall, idle rough (uneven and unstable) and would lose power from the 1800-2600rpm band when taking off from a dead start, when cold or warm.

The coolant sensor was replaced with a Mitzy factory part, and the manifold gasket replaced. Car was run thru diagnostics AGAIN, and everything was in tune and coming up "ok".

But after losing my car 3 days a week (my days off) for the past 2 weeks since the work is done, I believe these "mechanics" have NFI about what is wrong, and want to make everything seem fine so they don't have to fix or pay for it themselves cuz of the 6 month warranty they offer!

I have no idea what it is myself, and I'm offering the mic to the floor. Guys and gals, anyone know WTF is going on? I'm thinking it may be ECU rooted, as they were more than nice to rip out the computer connector once while it was there too.

There is more than one thread on dodgy mechanics and overpricing and crap work. I'm not going to rant here at how much I would like to refine my arson technique on their shop, but instead all I will say is this: I WILL NEVER reccommend ANYONE to Ultratune.

Thanks guys!

Not much info. to go by but maybe the timing belt was put in one or two teeth out of place. Will it not run smoothly at all?

I had the timing belt checked again by an aj mech mate of mine, so its not that.

I just came back from having a look at the engine AGAIN, and what once was there -an O2 sensor in my pacemaker extractors- is now gone leaving a lovely hot air vent into the engine bay. What is odd is there is no electrical wiring left either. As if NONE was there in the first place. I think I may have just found the problem!

Would an O2 sensor cause such a massive problem? I would dare say so myself.

Not much info. to go by but maybe the timing belt was put in one or two teeth out of place. Will it not run smoothly at all?
:stoopid: :stoopid: :stoopid: :)

what info are you looking for exactly, I don't follow. I suppose sine I feel the problems and see them myself, I don't know what is important to pass on or not. My bad :nuts:

I had the timing belt checked again by an aj mech mate of mine, so its not that.

I just came back from having a look at the engine AGAIN, and what once was there -an O2 sensor in my pacemaker extractors- is now gone leaving a lovely hot air vent into the engine bay. What is odd is there is no electrical wiring left either. As if NONE was there in the first place. I think I may have just found the problem!

Would an O2 sensor cause such a massive problem? I would dare say so myself.

Well the big hole certainly could. It is hard to believe that even the dumbest mechanic would intentionally leave it like that. Apart from anything else, it must be a fire risk. The rough running could be due to lack of back pressure because of the gaping hole in the extractors.

Lack of the oxygen sensor itself would not cause the rough running. The ECU would adjust your mixture based on default settings. It would not help your fuel economy but would still run OK.

I guess you have to ask them what the f** they thought they were achieving by removing it, where is it and what did they do with the wiring? Maybe they just forgot to put the O2 sensor back in. (or maybe an apprentice mistook it for the temperature sensor).

I had the timing belt checked again by an aj mech mate of mine, so its not that.

I just came back from having a look at the engine AGAIN, and what once was there -an O2 sensor in my pacemaker extractors- is now gone leaving a lovely hot air vent into the engine bay. What is odd is there is no electrical wiring left either. As if NONE was there in the first place. I think I may have just found the problem!

Would an O2 sensor cause such a massive problem? I would dare say so myself.


Yur second post wasnt there wen I started typin :redface:

Yes a missing os sensor wud make a big difference. Im surprised there isnt a lot of noise too.:shock:

Somebody ****ed up big time there.

Well the big hole certainly could. It is hard to believe that even the dumbest mechanic would intentionally leave it like that. Apart from anything else, it must be a fire risk. The rough running could be due to lack of back pressure because of the gaping hole in the extractors.

Lack of the oxygen sensor itself would not cause the rough running. The ECU would adjust your mixture based on default settings. It would not help your fuel economy but would still run OK.

I guess you have to ask them what the f** they thought they were achieving by removing it, where is it and what did they do with the wiring? Maybe they just forgot to put the O2 sensor back in.

Hopfully not shorting to the block somewhere.

Yeah seems odd and quite frankly, I will be armed with blunt instruments, a silver platter, and aiming for the nether regions starting tomorrow morning. This is beyond a joke. My only pride and joy and this is how people show you respect as customers? Not happy.

But guys, thanks for your input. Much appreciated. Oh do you guys know of any isuues with TF's and ECU's blowing up or disintergrating?

Yeah seems odd and quite frankly, I will be armed with blunt instruments, a silver platter, and aiming for the nether regions starting tomorrow morning. This is beyond a joke. My only pride and joy and this is how people show you respect as customers? Not happy.

But guys, thanks for your input. Much appreciated. Oh do you guys know of any isuues with TF's and ECU's blowing up or disintergrating?

Cant say Ive heard of it but the seach tab is yur friend. :D

I just came back from having a look at the engine AGAIN, and what once was there -an O2 sensor in my pacemaker extractors- is now gone leaving a lovely hot air vent into the engine bay. What is odd is there is no electrical wiring left either. As if NONE was there in the first place. I think I may have just found the problem!

From memory, the O2 sensor is not on the headers, its just before/after the cat. Are you sure youre not talking about the EGR pipe on the Pacemaker Headers?

I posted a pic of what im talking about here: http://www.aussiemagna.com/forums/showpost.php?p=627269&postcount=6

With no EGR pipe you've got a nice big Vacum leak in your intake manifold, that will **** with things nicely.

but there's no wiring watsoever in the egr pipe as he stated that hes is missin the connection of the wiring:think:

With no EGR pipe you've got a nice big Vacum leak in your intake manifold, that will **** with things nicely.

Being a TF therefore a 3.0L there is no EGR hole in the manifold.

Valid points there gashead.:D

Assuming the o2 sensor is further back then yur probly right about the hole being for the egr where fitted (the pipes probly suit a few models)

In any case i'd be plugging it with a bolt (after locating the O2 senser), resetting the computy and trying her again to see if its the problem. It certainly wouldnt help having that hole.:) :)

But guys, thanks for your input. Much appreciated. Oh do you guys know of any isuues with TF's and ECU's blowing up or disintergrating?

after a certain amount of Ks or just overuse, your capacitors in the ecu can leak acid all over the motherboard rooting it totally. pull out the ecu and check out the board. if theres crap on it your prety much screwed

after a certain amount of Ks or just overuse, your capacitors in the ecu can leak acid all over the motherboard rooting it totally. pull out the ecu and check out the board. if theres crap on it your prety much screwed

If this is the case, you can usually find ones cheap on ebay, or as a last resort a wreckers, but sometimes they want stupid amounts for them.

Guys,

The feedback is amazing, and extremely useful. I really appreciate it.

From the pic, its the EGR pipe, and you say just blocking it and resetting the ECU should be fine? I'll try that today and pass it up with my new mechanics. Checked the ECU. :bowdown: the thing is FINE. So its just theaping hole in the extractors now and then reset the ECU and I SHOULD be home and hosed. Guys, I'll keep you posted, and hopefully by this afternoon, or tomorrow at the latest have a resolution. Watch this space. I'll also let you know about the new mechanics for those who live on north side Brisbane

I have the EGR pipe on my pacemakers unblocked with no issues. I doubt this is your problem unfortunately, all it means is a little bit of heat and exhaust gas in your engine bay.

Let us know mate :)

Just got home from the exhaust place. Its not the pacemakers, as the EGR comes plugged and needs to be drilled to be used for the 3.5's, as the 3.0's don't need it.

Its once again, back at the shop. Its now appearing to be the ECU or MAP. NOT HAPPY! :rant: I've given the "mechanics" my number, and a result is expected this afternoon.

Can the MAP be f**ked without giving the ECU a code? I HOPE SO! Cheaper option. Stay tuned.

ALL SE QLD MEMBERS: Ultimate Performace Exhausts at Brendale want to know when the next dyno day is on, and if anyone is still interested in them! Maybe time to get the crew together again and make a day of it....... If anyone is interested, PM me and I'd be more than happy to be the organiser.

as the EGR comes plugged and needs to be drilled to be used for the 3.5's, as the 3.0's don't need it.


Thanks for the info, I never actually checked the EGR hole to see if it was open, Always just assumed it was. Must just the the headers themselves producing all the heat.

Hope it all goes OK for you. Fingers crossed.

Here's the update.

Its STILL in the shop, and I will be getting it back either by the end of the day today, or 0700 tomorrow. STILL NFI what the problem is, but the problem seems to be faulty connectors (after reading other posts that have come up over recent days) or the Air Flow Meter or, at worst the ECU/BMC.

Hopefully, within 24 hours, I'll have the news I'm looking for: Its fixed, parts replaced, and under warranty of work conducted at the shop. :nuts: I know, miracles aren't exactly common anymore.

For anypne still following the progress.....

The car is still there, in the shop. I had to cancel my stereo today for them to keep working on it. Good news, its not the Air Flow Meter, and its not the distributor or timing. :doubt: going to be worse than that.

Appears to be an ECU issue, and hopefully the mech's eill be nice enough to figure it out and get one ordered, or replace it so I can at least drive the old girl again.

Symptoms of a f**ked ECU:
[LIST]
Intermittent losses of power with steady, normal acceleration.
Car seems fine under hard/high rpm
Car tends to stall under low revs (at lights, idling high loads etc)
extremely high fuel consumption (i'm losing 100k's per tank)
uneven idle (fluctuates + or - 500 rpm)


Maybe forthose who are having similar problems, you may be able to relate to some of these things. I'll hopefully have a resolution for you guys soon.

ECU's can be repaired. There is a mob in QLD called technophobia (yeah I know) that does this.

2Nd gen ECU's do suffer from leaky caps OFTEN, I have recapped 5 so far, and one 3rd gen ECU.

Cheers
Heath Young