Do engine with OEM super charger need special tune up?

[sifan]

I have been browsing the eBay motor section with special attention to those cars equipped with super/turbo charger. Sellers of those cars with add-on super chargers mentions special tune-up using dyno.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SUPE...oryZ6324QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

My wife's 1997 Toyota Previa minivan equipped with an OEM super charger. I used to send it to Toyota dealer(s) for routine maintenance every 15k miles or emergency repairs. The last time was when it reached 82k miles when the engine had diffucilty during startup on a cold winter morning. The dealer replaced the EGR valve and cleaned the TB. The engine had been running very smoothly when it was cared by the dealer(s). But, the dealers were very expensive, so, I switched to a garage specialized in Toyota afterwards. That garage does honest work and charges reasonably, but, it does not seem to equip with the latest equipment. Now the engine always idles unstably and several times it almost stalls when the AC is on just like the above eBay list states.

Of course, the difference is that my engine has the OEM super charger, the one listed on eBay has an add-on. I am wondering if my Previa engine require special tuning than a normally aspired one.

Also, why does an engine with add-on super charger require dyno during tune-up?

 

[sifan]

Should I bring my Previa back to the dealer for tune-up?

 

[Quest]

Consider performing fuel injector cleaning in 2 successive/strong doses, and see how it goes.

The information posted on this ePrey posting is not specific to supercharged engines, citing that there are many cars with stock supercharger do run nicely and behaves properly (LOL! ever heard of Miller engine on Mazda Millenia?). This Miata has been extremely modified thus the symptom experienced by the seller is not relevant to most "real world" situation.....

I would check on all the things on the engine if I were you, things like seal leaks on the charger part, abnormal smoking, etc. and then proceed to EFI part....

lastly, I personally would treat a supercharged engine no different than say a regular N/A engine, with the exception of the engine mechanical structual difference and engine management control (e.g. longer pulse width for more fuel delivery, etc.) and such...

p.s. IMHO a vehical that came stock with supercharger does not require dyno during normal tuneup.... (LOL!)

 

[gtx510]

The miata guy probably means that they dyno tuned the extra injector set-up. To get the air/fuel ratio correct...

 

[CBDFrontier06]

If you're having idle speed trouble, I'd start with the idle air control valve. It has been a point of failure on a few of my cars, and a couple of friends' as well. I believe it's responsible for idle speed adjustment when the A/C cycles.

 

[Audity]

I agree with CBD, the first culprit I'd check is whatever this engine uses to stabilize the idle to compensate for AC compressor load, etc.

 

[wiswind]

On the Ford Windstar, the Idle Air Control Valve is a common cause for the engine stumbling / stalling from sudden changes in engine load at idle....such as A/C and also turning the steering wheel at idle when the vehicle is stopped.
It is very likely that many cars use the same setup.....The IAC is a valve that is controlled by the PCM (computer) and controls the airflow into the engine when your foot is off the accellerator.
Basically,it creates a bypass air path around the throttle plate.
This is how the PCM controls the idle speed, and if the IAC sticks, the PCM control over the engine is lost.
Some IAC valves can be cleaned with SeaFoam Deep Creep or other similar spray product.....the idea being to loosten and flush away dirt and such.....and leave a slight lubricating film.
Other times....one must replace the IAC.

Dyno mentioned should not be needed on a stock (from factory) engine.
However, when one makes major modifications to an engine......then they may need to dyno test it to tune things to work well together.
This has already been done on a vehicle from the factory.
A major modification may be outside of what the monitoring and compensation range of the complete system has.....so a dyno test....and further adjustments may be needed.

 

[sifan]

I just brought the van to the same garage. It turns out an induction service is needed. Due to the mid-engine design (engine positioned under the driver's seat) the service will take some time.

 

[Turk]

A Supercharger in a Minivan...???

 

[gtx510]

quote:

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Originally posted by tpitcher:
A Supercharger in a Minivan...???

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^redneck^

did we forget that the first minivan came turbocharged?

 

[H2GURU]

I would change the oil in the supercharger if it hasn't been done. The GM unit takes about 7 ozs. of a special oil (fatty acids?)and requires the " turkey baster " method: not familiar with Toyota's though.

 

[unDummy]

Sifan, how about more details on your van and the services performed, maintenance history, fuel/oil used, mileage......

OEM supercharged equipped vehicles are tuned from the factory. You don't need any dyno tuning unless you plan on running more boost, freer flowing intake or exhaust.....

To me, you either have a maintenance issue or tired/worn parts causing problems. Induction cleaning usually helps if carbon/crud/gum are the cause of the issue. But, you still need to know why that issue is being created, and if it is preventable.

 

[Androdz]

Most factory supercharged cars are detuned. If you go to tune it dont go to the dealer, go to an aftermarket tuner, check out who mods toyotas (althought I am sure it will be the first minivan they get to be tuned) and they will prob be able to help you. The new gt500 are getting 90 more rwhp and better mileage with an sct tune.

 

[Androdz]

.

 

[Thermactor]

quote:

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Originally posted by tpitcher:
A Supercharger in a Minivan...???

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even with the supercharger, the Previa still took this side of 11 seconds to reach 60mph

 

[carock]

The simplest source of your problem would be a vacuum leak. Engines are most sensitive to vacuum leaks at idle.

 

[sifan]

The engine ran smoothly after the induction service, but it still idled a little bit rough. The check engine light came on later. I brought the van back this morning, and it turned out the EGR valve needs to be replaced.

I bought the van used with 25k miles from a Toyota dealer. I have it maintained every 15k miles at a dealer or a garage. I use M1 5w30 and change it every 3k miles. My wife drives it mainly in city with short trips and AC on most of the time all these years, and the van's engine has carbon build-up related issues. The engine has received induction service at 82k and 146k miles. The dealer had to give two treatment of induction service plus EGR replacement at 82k miles. I only start using Techron recently.