Most liked posts in thread: Running rich when towing a trailer

You need the freeze frame data

this will tell you the engine load and RPM when the code was thrown. I'm guessing that you just have to pull more stuff all the time and you're wandering out of the allowable trim band... This actually means that the engine can't lean out the car enough to get to what it wants for the load and RPM you are running in closed loop mode.

Under engine braking, the ECU cuts all fuel flow off, so it's not rich then!

Matt

 

Well Aaron MM.org just ordered one of them BavTech Pro things from DocO for the club toolchest. Should be here by the weekend. Looks like you might be the first to make use of it.

 

I think Dr. O is onto something. Load/RPM when cruising along just falls outside of fuel trim. My car has done this sometimes but I haven't isolated the conditions. No biggie.

 

Oh - and NICE trailer - I'm jealous. That's a Dragon Camping rig for sure.

 

With our 08 Clubman S, we haul our teardrop, which weighs in at 600lbs, 80 lbs on the hitch, when it is empty. We probably add 200lbs loaded for a trip, with maybe 50lbs added to the hitch weight. I notice(now that we have the Garmin HD) that it goes to boost sooner, so things are working harder, and it shows in a drop of MPG, which when cruising at 75mph, high 20's low 30's. Without the trailer we get mid to high 30's. Our trailer is 4' wide, plus the wheels, and is 5' tall.



Bit more here; http://www.motoringalliance.com/forums/roadkill-other-musings/1689-mini-motorhome.html#post11678

Mark

 

IF there is no tune on the engine... you might want to look into a good "water/meth" system to keep it all safe when you are UNDER a load and pushing it in the heat?? yes??

Just a thought..

Just me.................................

Thumper

 

While a water/meth kit is always a good idea, isn't it already safe if it is running rich?

 

Let me try this..... IF the engine is working harder at a lower RPM, and developing a detonation, the ECU will retard ign timing and ADD fuel. Or Rich!!

IF you have a system that will cool the combustion/ add fuel octane ( research Methanol.. to get correct nomenclature, cool)..Keep the chambers cool, prevent detonation, which will keep the ECU from retarding the ign timing ( power loss) and adding rich fuel ( power and MPG Loss)!!

Water/Meth is perfect to loading engine when at work!! Actually THAT was the intent of w/m - achol systems all the way back to the old farm tractors in the 30's. Nothing new here.. just better! cool>?

Just me..........................................

Thumper

 

Might try running in 5th gear keep your rpm's up a little higher. That is why you don't tow in overdrive in a truck it creates more heat,in your case it might be reading more heat so it gives it more fuel.

 

Had mine since summer of 07 with no issues whatsoever

 

Yikes! Have you measured the tongue weight yet? It looks like your rear suspension is telling you that it's a bit (lot) high. Having that much sag in your rear suspension will actually toe the tires enough to add additional load to the engine in the form of tire scrub resistance. You may be able to move the trailer's axle forward enough to roughly balance it out. Raising the hitch so that it sits level on solid ground will help as well. You should only have 5-10% of the trailer's weight on the hitch.. which translates to a non-sag-inducing
30-60lbs on your 600lb trailer.

 

Our teardrop's tongue weight is about 100 lbs, with the trailer loaded, at about 800 lbs total. Virtually no drop in the rear when I put the trailer on the hitch. I load the trailer with most of the added weight on or behind the trailer axle.

The axle on that pop-up does look to be set rather far back. Ours is much closer to the center of the trailer. Loaded, I can easily pick the tongue up with one hand.

Mark

 

Sorry if I was not more clear.
The issue at hand is engine safety. Everything you mentioned above about Water/Meth is true, and it would certainly be a great addition to this situation. But as far as engine safety goes, the MINI's ECU will do what is required to keep the engine safe, in this case it is likely retarding ignition and definitely adding fuel, so the engine is already safe.
Is it running optimally, not at all, but that was not the point. You initially mentioned engine safety, and for all intents and purposes for this situation, the engine is already safe as it is running rich.

Will a Water/Meth kit help, damn straight it will, but don't get one because of concern that the engine is being damaged (i.e. not safe) while pulling the trailer. If you pulled the trailer on the track, that would be a different scenario.

 

http://www.motoringalliance.com/forums/roadkill-other-musings/1689-mini-motorhome.html#post11742

Mark

 

HaHaHa, reminds me parking lot of the Victoria Secrets 2 fer 1 bra sale

 

Ahh, the custom set of TSW springs V-0.9c designed to bring the back down a bit more.

 

Aaron, was that the tongue weight dry or once you added the gear/totes to the trailer?