Talking about car sensors

"Activated charcoal canister" is the part you were trying to describe. And the pipework to/from these can be chaotic, especially if someone else has been in there before you to "have a go".

David

I'm not sure about where your problem lies Alec, but I've been hunting down the trouble with starting the 6G74 GDI engine of my MMC Pajero when it's hot outside for almost five years and the last year I've finally solved it! My problem was caused by the broken electromagnetic valve (actually two of them) in the small additional turbo system, which essentially lengthens the intake manifold right after the throttle by creating some vacuum in a small plastic canister. That thingy is used only when starting the hot engine and especially when the coolant is very hot. In whole 6G74 GDI is certainly overengineered: there are dozens of sensors and actuators with the wires covering the whole top of the engine like a cobweb.

Andrey Pivovarov

Sounds all too familiar! I have a 1987 Volvo 480, which too has its share of idle problems. Usual suspects (in addition to MAP/MAF-sensors and temperature sensors) are idle valve (needs cleaning), vacuum leaks (needs re-tubing) and the less usual suspects are leaks in the injector ports and various emission reducing systems, such as EGR and a little canister that capture vapour fumes from the gas tank (can't remember what it's called). Anyway it works during cold starts: to my understanding it burns the collected gas vapours from a separate tank during start. If due to some error it doesn't burn the contents of said tank, but air instead, the mixture is too lean to burn and thus engine doesn't start properly. Anyway, good luck with the Figaro!

Juhani Saarinen

Sound quality... Is there's a mic change since the tape-adapter video? I feel like the voice has a lot more higher tonal frequencies than it used to. I almost want to run an EQ on it to lower the higher frequencies.

Raphaël

If you do get to scanning a GM OBD1 vehicle, I do make both scan cables and bluetooth adapters for 82-95 GM vehicles. http://reddevilriver.com/aldl.html

Yes the ECM can adjust advance. The MAF sensor is continuously heated to a standard temperature (not periodically). How much current is required to get it to that heat is how the computer knows how much air has passed the engine. Unplug your O2 sensor and see if the engine runs better. If so replace it. If the IAC is stuck the engine will run slower when cold and faster when warm. Sounds likely that it is stuck.

We've certainly come a long way since the early emissions controls in the 70s, there are times when I really like the fully mechanical diesel in my 1990 Land Rover though for simplicity and when it gets wet. Can you give that patch of oil on what I think is the exhaust manifold heatshield a spray and clean up when you get a chance please? The engine is otherwise pretty spotless and it bugs me.

Matt Tester

So you're planning on doing an OBD2 episode? I have a bluetooth OBD2 adapter thingy and I use it with my smartphone to diagnose engine problems pretty regularly in my cars. I think it makes diagnosing problems easier myself My 2014 Honda motorcycle has a check engine light and lots of sensors too but my 1999 Honda motorcycle is strictly mechanical. Motorcycles seem to be about 25 years behind car technology wise

That's just insulation of the A/C vapor line

Technology Connections

Oh yeah, I'm already quite acquainted with The Figaro Shop! They have a great assortment of parts available, and offer some services (like tail light chrome restoration) which I'll probably have done at some point. Interestingly, all of them in the UK are grey-market imports. I don't know how exactly so many of them got over there as it was never officially sold outside of Japan! I wonder if a ton of three-year-old Figaros were sold by the Japanese owners and sent to the UK when they got a new car or something like that.

Technology Connections

big crack/hole in the hose on the right ~8:12 in...

Sierra Mistystep

I don't know how common those Figaros were in the US, but they were remarkably popular in the UK, possibly due to being Right-hand-drive only. If you struggle to get certain parts in the US, I think there are a couple of specialists in the UK who still support these, and it means you can get support in English rather than Japanese! Listening to that cold-start, it definitely sounds like a part-failed ICV.

David

I'm glad you cover such a wide range of topics.

Magnus Köhler

in alot of ways, basic engine technology hasn't really changed much in the last 20 or so years. Most sensors that you find on your Nissan are the same as ones that are found on a modern car, they typically even work the same. The biggest difference now is alot of times there are more sensors monitoring more things to adjust more things, espeically when getting in to VVT (variable valve timing) and emissions.

Mike's Mess

Also I like the idea that it could be that "idle air control". Since opening the throttle yourself made it work. There is probably a vacuum controlled diaphragm in there. Those tend to get old and rotted.

Rabon Kyle Ragan

My grandparent's 1978 Ford Fairmont with a carb fed straight 6 had "brain box" as my dad called it. It was for the ignition control.

Rabon Kyle Ragan

How come this is too old to be relevant and the toaster isn’t? 😉

Aaron Carson