Originally Posted by
BoyntonStu
Russ,
My ZX2 has been running with an air estriction and no codes for over 1,000 miles.
My other car, threw a "Service Engine Soon" in about 10 minutes of air restriction.
I stopped the car and I removed the restriction.
We continued for about 80 miles with the code light on.
Strange enough, the car never got as high MPG as that trip.
The ECU seemed to remember the setting.
The next morning, I disconnected the battery, reset the code, and the car was as before, less MPG.
If the ECU cannot allow less than a certain gas restriction, we are all fooked!
Is there any way around it?
For example, are the ECU's able to run a car at 12,000 feet altitude?
There is MUCH less air in La Paz Bolivia than in Florida.
BoyntonStu
Stu.. may i suggest an experiment if one is possible..
(i'll start off with this disclaimer.. I don't know for sure if it's possible to test this theory, so don't flame me for a brainstorm HAHA)
is air FLOW the same or relative to DENSITY ??
on your ZX2 it's an 'older' designed car without all the over engineered electronics (such as Russ' cursed truck) you never did tell us what your 'other car' is..
What i propose is an experiment (Again, if it's possible) where we consider (or prove) the relation to density and flow.
My belief is that you have restricted the FLOW on your ZX2 and the computer has just assumed that your air filter is clogged up and somehow has allowed MPG increase (that's 100% confirmed).
This flow reduction (again, IMO) isn't synonimous with less density.
The vehicle's MAP sensor would determine density.. (hence absolute pressure) and the MAF sensor determines air flow.
I believe the ZX2's were 'pre-MAF' .. in Ford's time, they weren't very keen on MAF sensors.. however the O2 sensors could compensate for the reduced FLOW by detecting the extra fuel (loss of 'air') and adjusting accordingly.. I believe your specific situation is luck (with the computer)
On a newer vehicle, they've incorporated MAF sensors to 'see' how much air is flowing to more 'efficiently' adjust the A/F trims, or at the least, light a CEL when the dang air filter gets clogged up.. (hence the light when you restricted the air flow on your other car)...
what i propose is an experiment (if it's possible) to determine the relationship between air flow and air density.
don't ask me how we'd try it, because, as i said before, i'm just a brainstormer LOL...
just my .02
mike
Individually our voices are but a whisper, only together will we be heard.
ENERGY SHOULD BE AND WILL BE FREE