Issue with ethanol

[Gkatehis]

Hello. Sorry if I use any incorrect terminology, I'm not the most knowledgeable.

So I have a jb4, fuel wires, ewg wires. Today I added 4 gallons of e85, and while it was mixing I kept the jb4 on map 2.when it was at 15 percent or so I tried stepping on it, but the engine like, bogged, wouldn't take off, and then the check engine light came on. Bogged might not be the right word, it felt like it was jerking. I restarted the car and the check engine light went away. What could be causing this. Is it because map 2 isn't meant for any ethanol mixture?

 

[Gkatehis]

I just tried a quick pull, but this log might explain the jerking

 

[cLaw]

Hate to be that guy but without a wide open throttle pull its hard to really tell, regardless the log doesn't look like there is anything major wrong.

Also the map you were in while fueling should not have an effect on anything.

What plugs are you running?

Also what do you mean by, when it was at 15%?

Could've been a random misfire, have you noticed anything else since then?

 

[Gkatehis]

15 percent Ethanol, based on the jb4 reading. And I did step on it a good amount, but when it kicks like that and the check engine light comes on, I'm extremely hesitant to stay on the pedal

 

[Gkatehis]

This is what I see on my app. The boosts are just going in and out, so I think that might be why its kicking.

 

[cLaw]

This is what I see on my app. The boosts are just going in and out, so I think that might be why its kicking.

I understand, that's why I was asking if this was a consistent thing or you just noticed it that one time.

There are a lot of factors here, do you have the flex fuel sensor for ethanol? Otherwise you can ignore that e85 reading.

Also, I can't really tell but if this is a screenshot of the log you linked earlier, I believe it is just showing the boost when you step on the pedal. Throughout the log you get on the pedal and come off, and I think thats just showing on vs off the pedal. Nothing necessarily related to a boost leak or cut.

My main questions are,

What spark plugs do you have? and, Does this happen every time you step on it or just that one time?

 

[Gkatehis]

It's sometimes, not every time. I don't have a flex fuel kit, just the fuel wires for the jb4. I know its not the most accurate, but I figured it has to be in the ballpark because it goes up when I put e85 and goes down when I don't lol.

I don't remmeber which brand of spark plugs I got but they are aftermarket and we're gapped

Edit : Denso spark plugs

 

[B1ackAlloy]

It's sometimes, not every time. I don't have a flex fuel kit, just the fuel wires for the jb4. I know its not the most accurate, but I figured it has to be in the ballpark because it goes up when I put e85 and goes down when I don't lol.

I don't remmeber which brand of spark plugs I got but they are aftermarket and we're gapped

Edit : Denso spark plugs

I will tell you this. That the JB4 will not give you accurate reading of ethanol without the flex fuel kit. Yes by adding the 4 gallons you should be on point. But you are playing a dangerous game by guessing. So just invest in the flex fuel kit.

Spark plugs could be an issue. I just went the HKS route and never looked back cause I did see people have issues with other brands. The only knock on the HKS was just the price but I have had no problems with it. Probably will be ideal for you to check the spark plugs and see where they are gapped at.

 

[cLaw]

It's sometimes, not every time. I don't have a flex fuel kit, just the fuel wires for the jb4. I know its not the most accurate, but I figured it has to be in the ballpark because it goes up when I put e85 and goes down when I don't lol.

I don't remmeber which brand of spark plugs I got but they are aftermarket and we're gapped

Edit : Denso spark plugs

Interesting, maybe someone more experienced can chime in and point you in the right direction but I noticed one thing in the log. I'm not sure if it is different for andriod but try updating your firmware. I am currently on 21/28/5 and the log you have reads at 21/22/5. From reading through a bunch of threads, this has been known to solve random issues in the past.

Also, If it occurs again I would try to read the code with the jb4 in the app. The reason I say the reading isnt so accurate is because with 4 gallons of E and rest 93 it would be a bit closer to e30 rather than around only 15.

 

[Gkatehis]

The is no code on the jb4. Also I think it's only at 15 because it's still missing. I'm not sure how fast it mixes. But it's still steadily climbing since this

 

[Gkatehis]

I also don't remember letting off the pedal.. Could it be cutting out?

 

[Gkatehis]

Also can I ask. The are two channels that mention Kia. 21 and 35.which one should I be on with a 22 gt2

 

[AWDGT2]

You're crashing your fuel pump, guaranteed. Don't look at the JB E85 reading, it means nothing and isn't near accurate. Put some more 93 in it and it will more than likely clear up.
If you want an absolute answer, please post the csv log of it happening at WOT.

 

[cLaw]

I also don't remember letting off the pedal.. Could it be cutting out?

If you never let off the pedal in that log then it is probably the fuel pump. Basically everything @AWDGT2 said.

 

[B1ackAlloy]

If you never let off the pedal in that log then it is probably the fuel pump. Basically everything @AWDGT2 said.

Which is more reason to get a flex fuel kit. But what do I know lol

 

[DavidinGA]

Definitely "better" to run conservatively with the ethanol blend (better to undermix your e-content vs overmixing and risk crashing).

 

[Gkatehis]

I did another pull. Looks like cylinder 1 was misfiring.

 

[rpoffen]

One thing I noticed with my FF kit is that after adding E85 to my pump gas, the E rating goes high for a few minutes, maybe it settles to the bottom of the tank initially and is what gets picked up, I drive a few miles to let it mix up and the E rating settles down.
Using the FF kit with the calculator I have always been able to hit my target withing +/- 1.

 

[AWDGT2]

One thing I noticed with my FF kit is that after adding E85 to my pump gas, the E rating goes high for a few minutes, maybe it settles to the bottom of the tank initially and is what gets picked up, I drive a few miles to let it mix up and the E rating settles down.
Using the FF kit with the calculator I have always been able to hit my target withing +/- 1.

Yes, I believe all the sensors have the same results. Scary at first, LOL. But it usually settles down.

 

[cLaw]

Yes, I believe all the sensors have the same results. Scary at first, LOL. But it usually settles down.

Yea, nothing beat the look on my face after the first fill up with the sensor. Followed everything perfectly and connected to see E45. After a few minutes it dropped down but I was genuinely prepared for the worst