Skoda Rally Blog

…it was going to be easy.  Today started out well enough, went to the Post Office, taxed the car, got it started easily, got everything set up for mapping/logging, and then went for a short drive.  Came back, and noticed that the engine seemed to be breathing quite heavily.  Not a good start, but it seemed happy enough, so I carried on, and did a longer drive with the LM-1 logging everything it needs to do the mapping changes.  Car went well – not outstanding, but well enough for a first run, and didn’t play up, even ticking over without problems.  When I got back it seemed OK aside from being a bit smoky again from the breather.

Took all the data from the LM-1 and put it into the computer to adjust the map settings, and I’d forgotten how to do a lot of it (as you have to convert the ECU’s format into a CSV file, and then import that into Excel, and use this in conjunction with the LM-1 “LogWorks” software to calculate new map values, and then transfer it all back again, and finally upload it to the ECU) – it took an hour to get all this done, but it was then time for the second run.  I fired the car up and it didn’t seem to great, seeming to miss on one cylinder, but I thought it would clear.

It didn’t.

Came back and did some checks – low compression on number 1 cylinder, the other 3 were OK.  Putting oil down the bores increased the compression by 2 bar, even on the bad cylinder, so my diagnosis is that the rings didn’t bed in properly on this engine, so a new set are needed along with the liners being honed.  And, of course, a new head gasket and I would think re-setting the position of liner number 1.  Not a total disaster, but certainly not what I’d like to be writing about today.  Parts have been ordered, but won’t be coming until at least Saturday morning, so that leaves me plenty of time to get it ready for RallyDay…