EcuTek, thoughts and experiences?
 

Hi Guys,

I have just been down to Tim Slako's West racing and had a check engine light looked at. I have been told that the code is fine and there's nothing wrong with the car but the only way to have the check engine light removed is go and get an EcuTek tune.

I was just wondering what people think of the tune? to give some background its a 06 wrx stock engine and turbo with a TBE. Im also a student, so cost is a large factor here. can anyone shed some light on the improvements made by the tune and do they believe it is worth the money they spent.

Thanks Liam

You need to get a tune for the TBE, but it doesn't have to be ecutek. There are a number of options you have as far as tuners go in Perth. I don't know all of them but Allstar Garage, Maximum Motorsport, and EvolutionR come to mind. ASG use verso while the other two are ecutek. I think the only notable difference between the two is that ecutek locks you out of your ecu.

Tuning is definitely recommended and your car will improve immensely. Power and torque will improve, as will the way the car drives in general. Can't recommend it enough, your TBE is going to waste without it.

My first tune with ASG cost me around the $1100 mark.

Friday joke a little early imo

You don't need a tune to clear a fault code or to determine the cause.
Take it to ASG in Malaga or to STechnic in Maddington....they are reputable specialist Subaru garages and will sort it out for you.

[URL="http://www.perth-wrx.com/vb/stock-ecu-discussion/54317-ecutek-vs-verso-vs-openecu.html"]Ecutek versus Verso[/URL] Have a read of this, it may help. But you will need a tune at some point with the turbo back exhaust installed, sooner rather than later.

Plus yes RJ is correct. Stechnic can clear the code for you.

EvoR uses link & SSM not ecutek. Mao charges 550-650 for first timer, 250-350 each additional touch up.

Read and clear the code urself with this, no need to pay a workshop, have done it many times on my car and friends cars:
[url=http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/ELM327-OBDII-OBD2-Bluetooth-Auto-Car-Diagnostic-Interface-Scanner-AD-/221508640722?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3392f19fd2]ELM327 Obdii OBD2 Bluetooth Auto CAR Diagnostic Interface Scanner AD | eBay[/url]

TBE needs a tune to avoid long term damage and fully utilise its potential.

We know the cause of the fault, it was an air circulation pump for emissions, Tim got in contact with Neil from maximum who me gave the recommendation to just tune out the code.

We tried clearing the fault 3 times, just keeps popping up every time so its not a problem of just clearing it.

I have been told there is no need to replace the pump (roughly $3000 job) but to clear the code properly it needs to be tuned out.

Thanks a big help JRecardo

U dont a tune, just need to communicate with ecu and diaable the pump.

Its just a air pump to heat up the cat quicker. Unless there is a leak in the system, disable it will fix it.

Just called mao for u, he can do it for $80 unless the ecu already has ecutek lock on it.

using the Perth-WRX mobile app

Juar remembered there is a fuel compensation table for cold start, but I doubt disabling pump will cause any damage. As it only works for 30 or lesa on each COLD start.

using the Perth-WRX mobile app

Yep STecnic in maddington can clear the code for you in fact they cleared the code for free in my dads 07 outback after a check engine came on after we gave it a oil change. Not saying they will do it for free but you will not be ripped if your budget is a concern.

Mark

[QUOTE=Joker;811800]
I have been told there is no need to replace the pump (roughly $3000 job)
[/QUOTE]
Read this - [URL="http://www.perth-wrx.com/vb/stock-ecu-discussion/36718-secondary-air-pump-$wtf.html"]http://www.perth-wrx.com/vb/stock-ecu-discussion/36718-secondary-air-pump-$wtf.html[/URL]

I still suggest giving AllStarGarage/STechnic a call and taking it there for a proper diagnosis.

If it is the air pump valves then yes you are fkd as it is expensive to fix and the tune from ASG is your option (or they may be able to disable the code in your ECU without a full tune if you don't want to power tune your car, which will be much cheaper).

If it is the secondary air pump, then you can pick one up second hand for about $200.
[url]http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/07-SUBARU-IMPREZA-WRX-amp-STI-SECONDARY-AIR-PUMP-SMOG-OEM-TURBO-14828AA060-Factory-/171537606550?_trksid=p2054897.l4275[/url]
3rd option is to delete it and use block off plates, roughly about $200 too.

Edit: ^what RSlib said^, stechnic or asg for clearing, no need for a power tune(ecutek) to disable a code