Car addicted to octane booster

[officially_kage]

Sooooo....
This is a wierd one, just to give a bit of context - My car has been running sluggish and it had a wierd metallic sound when I went into boost. I then took the car to a tuning company (very well known especially in the VAG community). They diagnosed something wrong with the turbo exhaust side housing... I got a complete new turbo under aftermarket warranty (this saved me a total bill of R15k pheeeew). Anyway, the guys also mentioned that there is a misfire and I should look to change one of my coils.... I did that and also got new plugs AND.... car still misfired and had the half engine power symbol but it was MUCH MUCH better. I then decided to chuck in a bottle of octane booster and the car was back to normal, after a week or so after the octane booster had run out and I was now on fresh fuel, BOOM misfire and half engine power symbol. I then went through that tank of Engen Primax 95 and decided to try Shell Vpower 95.... still same issue. I then decided again to try an octane booster and just like that, the problem dissapears and the car runs like a dream. That tank with the OB ran out just last night, Im on fresh Total 95 fuel and now Im back with the same issue.....
So obviously the issue is down to fuel but.....how exactly? The car cant possibly rely on OB to run well...

PS: It seems the guys that replaced my turbo may have overfilled the oil, (I will be draining some of it tonight after wor).... Not something I would expect from a reputable tuning company :dunnoanymore: :rage:

Anyway, this can't possibly be down to that, could it?

 

[r0ckf1re]

What car is this ? Assuming its a VAG, since you took it to a VAG tuner.

Is it modded ?

Can the Tuner not log the car to identify any issues ?

 

[Iceman12596]

Sounds like your sw or map is requesting higher Octane then what straight 95 can provide.
Maby get the software checked out, i know that on mine when i run 95 she is okay, the minute i bomb 93 in and boost comes in the whole car misfires, hence why i say it could be sw related....

 

[FILV]

isn't this perhaps that famous Timing issue with these Mini and Peugeot engines?

this Paragraph is taken from a fanatic who had a 206 gti:

"This is a SERIOUS problem on these engines. Once the timing has slipped the camshafts position with the crank alters and the fuel mixtures run very lean. Knocking and detonation can occur as well as the dreaded power loss that most of these engine produce. Hesitation, power loss, etc are linked to this occurence. But if the parts are replaced and the timing is done right first time you shouldn't have any more issues"

 

[Iceman12596]

What car is this ?

 

[KPM3_30]

Looking at the sub-forum and OP's intro post:

2013 Mini Cooper S.

 

[abmi0000]

10:1 there is an issue with timing.

 

[officially_kage]

Sorry guys, Its a Mini Cooper S with the N18 engine.
I took it to a tuner however they are also one of the preferred RMI approved workshops (My 3rd party warranty is very picky).
The car is bone stock..... literally not even a hose clamp that isnt from factory lol.
I never even considered timing.... I guess you could be onto something. I had no idea timing could mess up with the fuel mixtures.
Also, the timing issue was supposedly resolved on the n18 engines plus I dont have the rattle that would suggest a timing issue.

 

[officially_kage]

10:1 there is an issue with timing.

Are you refering to ignition timing? Because that totally makes sense....

 

[Clint@MMS AUTO]

So can the Tuner not load software to adjust the timing/fueling accordingly to sort out the issue.

 

[Girevik77]

Please excuse my ignorance. Shouldn't modern cars (with electronic ignition) detect knock and misfire events and retard/advance ignition timing to mitigate such events?

 

[officially_kage]

Please excuse my ignorance. Shouldn't modern cars (with electronic ignition) detect knock and misfire events and retard/advance ignition timing to mitigate such events?

johndoe Car is stock. I only took it to the tuner because it is also one of the preferred workshops that my warranty recommends.
Girevik77 You right, the car will detect the knock and retard timing, This could be actually what is happening however normally you can hear the knock, not so?

Small update, during lunch time I drove around and the car was perfect. After work as well, my drive from Roodepoort to Greenstone and not a single hiccup.
This car is extremely temperamental. I guess I will monitor it, I have also ordered a cheapie OBD dongle which should arrive on Wed, I will use this to log the car

 

[abmi0000]

10:1 there is an issue with timing.

Are you refering to ignition timing? Because that totally makes sense....

Yep - perhaps the knock sensor is on it's way out. You could test for resistance and voltage. I 'think' that the voltage is around 5vDC but you need to research to be certain.