15 replies to this topic

[Clip]

I borrowed a colour tune kit today and did a quick check across all the cylinders. But according to to the instructions, I’m running ok at idle and up to about 2000rpm, then I go rich. I run premium unleaded (98ron). But I’m not convinced as to the accuracy and how much attention I should pay to it.

 

I think I might invest in a air/fuel ratio gauge. Is this a good idea? They seem to range from £25 to £300, narrow and wide band. Can anyone recommend one? Thanks

https://youtu.be/SIrZMvUV-mE

Edited by Clip, 04 December 2022 - 01:54 AM.

[Spider]

The burn colour is extremely accurate, however, if you were merely reving the engine unloaded to 2000 RPM, then that's almost meaningless, the engine needs to be loaded up as it would be under acceleration or cruising conditions, depending on what part or the rev / load range you are checking.

NOT RECOMMENDED as this is highly dangerous but there was a ,method using a Colourtune, having the car with the wheels removed and on stands that David Vizard once described in one of his magazine contributions.

[timmy850]

Narrow band O2 sensors are useless for tuning as it’ll just tell you if it’s above or below 14.7:1

I use an innovate mtxl plus with the sensor mounted in the freeflow manifold to eliminate any leaks giving a bad signal

[Clip]

The burn colour is extremely accurate, however, if you were merely reving the engine unloaded to 2000 RPM, then that's almost meaningless, the engine needs to be loaded up as it would be under acceleration or cruising conditions, depending on what part or the rev / load range you are checking.

NOT RECOMMENDED as this is highly dangerous but there was a ,method using a Colourtune, having the car with the wheels removed and on stands that David Vizard once described in one of his magazine contributions.

Thanks Spider. So no good for checking at high revs unless under load. I revved it to about 4500 and it was orange all the way. Idle and up to about 2000 it was blue. 

[Clip]

Thanks Tim, I’ll check those out. I have the same extractors, so it’s good to see where you mounted your sensor, and especially so since we both have early Mk1 850s. Did you have to remove the extractors to install the sensor? 

Edited by Clip, 04 December 2022 - 06:52 AM.

[Clip]

Wow, Innovate MTXL Plus is top shelf Tim! 

[timmy850]

Thanks Tim, I’ll check those out. I have the same extractors, so it’s good to see where you mounted your sensor, and especially so since we both have early Mk1 850s. Did you have to remove the extractors to install the sensor?

I put the extractors in first, then screwed in the sensor. It’s far enough away from all the moving parts which is good

[weef]

Every engine comes with its own built in "colour tune", it is the colour of the spark plugs. Take your car for a good run driving as normal on roads you anticipate most of your motoring will be on and then when safe cut the engine, coast to a halt, remove the plugs and check their colour. The spark plug colour will give you an indication as to the mixture ratio under your normal driving/engine load conditions. There is lots of information out there that will tell you what the colour indicates, but I like to run more on the rich side rather than lean.

[sonscar]

There is a lot of discussion regards fuelling but relatively little talk of timing.Timing is quite important to proper running.I am not an expert on timing ASeries motors but have experience on B series motors where it has a large effect.Just something to bear in mind.Fuelling and timing are interlinked.Steve.

[PACINO]

Thanks Tim, I’ll check those out. I have the same extractors, so it’s good to see where you mounted your sensor, and especially so since we both have early Mk1 850s. Did you have to remove the extractors to install the sensor?

I put the extractors in first, then screwed in the sensor. It’s far enough away from all the moving parts which is good

Timmy, would it be possible to see what you have connected that sonda to inside the car?

[timmy850]

There is a lot of discussion regards fuelling but relatively little talk of timing.Timing is quite important to proper running.I am not an expert on timing ASeries motors but have experience on B series motors where it has a large effect.Just something to bear in mind.Fuelling and timing are interlinked.Steve.

Yes this discussion is only about measuring the air fuel ratio. Clip already has a high energy ignition system with a tuned timing curve. Getting it right is critical to good performance

[timmy850]

Thanks Tim, I’ll check those out. I have the same extractors, so it’s good to see where you mounted your sensor, and especially so since we both have early Mk1 850s. Did you have to remove the extractors to install the sensor?

I put the extractors in first, then screwed in the sensor. It’s far enough away from all the moving parts which is good

Timmy, would it be possible to see what you have connected that sonda to inside the car?

As mentioned above it’s an Innovate Mtxl plus gauge. I have an NA engine so I don’t think it needs to be installed permanently, only when tuning or making other changes

[Icey]

Hopefully timmy850 hasn’t had any issues but when I was looking at wideband setups for the turbo build there were a lot of complaints about Innovate products. I went for an AEM Failsafe gauge instead (it’s also a boost gauge so saved me some dash space!).

[PACINO]

As always, it is a real pleasure to have colleagues like Timmy850 in this Forum.
Thank you very much for your courtesy, by showing us the interior of your beautiful Mini.
Kind regards
Luis

[unburntfuelinthemorning]

I bought a wideband Autometer A/F ratio gauge for a different vehicle fifteen years ago.  It's in my van now and still works perfectly.  I've had the vehicle rolling roaded and the gauge corresponds with their equipment at least at stoichiometric and richer.  Weaker mixtures aren't quite as accurate but certainly gives you a more than adequate indication of what is going on.

Edited by unburntfuelinthemorning, 05 December 2022 - 10:39 PM.