3.3TT So, I broke my engine

[xot1]

It happened three weeks ago.

I wanted to get some data before installing my new intercooler and do a before/after, but that night during the second test pull, I suddenly had a throttle closure on the shift followed by a CEL and protection mode. While slowing down engine felt super weird, a lot of vibrations and very unusual exhaust noises. I thought restarting the engine would do the trick but it did not. The car was undriveable so I had to tow it home.

Looking at the JB4 log, just before being thrown to map0, boost spiked abnormally high, ECU pulled timings and AFR skyrocketed lean (over 18:1) in one bank. For the record, I was using the same settings I was always using without any trouble so far, just the weather was a bit cooler, if any difference.

After inspection of the engine, I've blown a spark plug tip and an exhaust valve, causing irreversible damage to the cylinder.

The failure scenario would be either a strong knock event or too high EGTs, but these are just assumptions.

Here is what the log looked like:



I had to replace the engine and now all seem good (still in break in period).

Just sharing my unfortunate experience.

 

[Luminary]

Oh my I am so sorry to hear this happened!
At least you are back on the road now with the engine replacement. Out of curiosity, was it a refurbished engine they replaced it with?

 

[xot1]

Oh my I am so sorry to hear this happened!
At least you are back on the road now with the engine replacement. Out of curiosity, was it a refurbished engine they replaced it with?

Thanks. The engine is new.

 

[cncBilly]

Thanks. The engine is new.

Who paid for it?

 

[AWDGT2]

Ouch, sorry to hear it... This post stems so many other questions though.
1. What Map? What Octane?
2. Was is custom ie.. Map6?
3. Were you, did you run Meth?
4. Did you unhook everything and get it covered by warrantee?
5. What would you tell us (Forum) NOT to do to ensure it doesn't happen to us?
6. I see throttle close to what appears to be a 2-3 shift, your wayyyy high in boost and it doesn't look like you were paddle shifting. Do you think letting the car auto shift past 6k caused it?

 

[xot1]

1-2-3)
Custom Map7
99% meth BM12 nozzle
93 octane + Boostane

5) It is very hard to say because I am not 100% sure why it happened. One thing that I can say is that I hadn't done pulls for several weeks and the weather got colder in the meantime. I should maybe have done few pulls with milder settings just to see how the car runs before going full power.

6) I was paddleshifting. Usually shifting earlier causes a higher boost in the next gear, not the other way around.

 

[xot1]

Me telling how I got it fixed is something that would apply to most here (different country, different situations), so I prefer not to talk too much about that part.
One thing is for sure (at least here): this kind of problem isn't covered by warranty if the car shows any trace of performance enhancing mod.

 

[Gtecko]

How much did a new engine set you back?

 

[Mr. Tech]

Holy smokes! So sorry to hear that! Which plugs were you using? Denso or HKS? And do you think it had to do with a bad plug?

 

[AWDGT2]

Thanks for all the info. Again, sorry about the motor, I know that was a pain to get sorted out. I'm just glad you got it back on the road.

 

[xot1]

How much did a new engine set you back?

The prices are different here vs the US/Canada.

Holy smokes! So sorry to hear that! Which plugs were you using? Denso or HKS? And do you think it had to do with a bad plug?

Denso IKH27 (two steps colder) gapped to .022.
I am not sure if the plug itself is at fault. I changed the plugs less than a month before, and I did a bunch of very strong pulls without any trouble with these same plugs. Also the gap was perfect on all other five when I checked.

 

[Revvdmedia]

Always a risk unfortunately, need to pay to play.

For years I've always wanted to do much heavier tuning on my cars, but they've all been under warranty and a new engine would be too much of a hit to the bank account. As such, I've only never gotten into mild tunes, intakes and exhaust.

 

[Mr. Tech]

The prices are different here vs the US/Canada.



Denso IKH27 (two steps colder) gapped to .022.
I am not sure if the plug itself is at fault. I changed the plugs less than a month before, and I did a bunch of very strong pulls without any trouble with these same plugs. Also the gap was perfect on all other five when I checked.

Thanks for the info. I just noticed that you were pushing 25lbs of boost at the failure event. Is mid 20s normal for WMI cars? I thought the JB4 had a limiter. I'm wondering if the limiter didn't kick in. I haven't followed WMI too closely, but I thought the max you guys were pushing was like 21 to 22 peak.

Also, I just noticed that you could see which gear you were in from the logs. How'd you get that feature?

 

[MerlintheMad]

Nooo! (and now your three weeks of grime are explained)

 

[AWDGT2]

@xot1 would you mind sharing your .csv? I would love to really look at it in detail.

 

[xot1]

Thanks for the info. I just noticed that you were pushing 25lbs of boost at the failure event. Is mid 20s normal for WMI cars? I thought the JB4 had a limiter. I'm wondering if the limiter didn't kick in. I haven't followed WMI too closely, but I thought the max you guys were pushing was like 21 to 22 peak.

Also, I just noticed that you could see which gear you were in from the logs. How'd you get that feature?

My boost safety is set to 25psi and in the log the boost spike hits 24.4. My settings usually do 22psi peak, 19psi redline but since the boost produced is an additive thing, it depends on how high the stock boost goes, and that day it was abnormally high.

JB4 can show the current gear, its almost been a year since this feature was added.

 

[Hawk853]

It happened three weeks ago.

I wanted to get some data before installing my new intercooler and do a before/after, but that night during the second test pull, I suddenly had a throttle closure on the shift followed by a CEL and protection mode. While slowing down engine felt super weird, a lot of vibrations and very unusual exhaust noises. I thought restarting the engine would do the trick but it did not. The car was undriveable so I had to tow it home.

Looking at the JB4 log, just before being thrown to map0, boost spiked abnormally high, ECU pulled timings and AFR skyrocketed lean (over 18:1) in one bank. For the record, I was using the same settings I was always using without any trouble so far, just the weather was a bit cooler, if any difference.

After inspection of the engine, I've blown a spark plug tip and an exhaust valve, causing irreversible damage to the cylinder.

The failure scenario would be either a strong knock event or too high EGTs, but these are just assumptions.

Here is what the log looked like:

View attachment 51835

I had to replace the engine and now all seem good (still in break in period).

Just sharing my unfortunate experience.

Now you can sleeve that old block and close the deck for a super boosty engine build

 

[xot1]

Now you can sleeve that old block and close the deck for a super boosty engine build

Not sure, I am on the fence about keeping the car.

 

[Hawk853]

Not sure, I am on the fence about keeping the car.

Are you sour about this experience or just ready for something different?

I’m stressing a bit about taking mine in for a small bell housing leak. Your issue would have me inconsolable.

 

[StingertimeNC]

can't give us any more detail on the cost of the new engine? parts/labor? Just curious.