Ecoboost Performance Forum

Ecoboost Performance => Performance => Topic started by: Black Dream on August 11, 2020, 11:43:13 AM

Title: SCT X4 usage
Post by: Black Dream on August 11, 2020, 11:43:13 AM
I've looked everywhere including the SCT website and can't find instructions on using the X4 while the engine's running.  I've having an recurring misfire in one of the cylinders and the 542s have 12k miles, the coil packs are all OEM and brand new and both upstream O2 sensors are brand new.  I want to datalog the car and see if I can find another issue that may be causing this.  I am not having the random misfire code like I have in the past.  2010 MKS Eco running Unleashed tunes, currently 3BAR 93 performance.

Any input and assistance will be greatly appreciated.
Title: Re: SCT X4 usage
Post by: StealBlueSho on August 11, 2020, 12:18:06 PM
Quote from: Black Dream on August 11, 2020, 11:43:13 AM
I've looked everywhere including the SCT website and can't find instructions on using the X4 while the engine's running.  I've having an recurring misfire in one of the cylinders and the 542s have 12k miles, the coil packs are all OEM and brand new and both upstream O2 sensors are brand new.  I want to datalog the car and see if I can find another issue that may be causing this.  I am not having the random misfire code like I have in the past.  2010 MKS Eco running Unleashed tunes, currently 3BAR 93 performance.

Any input and assistance will be greatly appreciated.
Check this out... let me know if you have any other questions...


http://www.ecoboostperformanceforum.com/index.php?topic=6554
Title: Re: SCT X4 usage
Post by: TopherSho on August 11, 2020, 05:29:19 PM
Quote from: Black Dream on August 11, 2020, 11:43:13 AM
I've looked everywhere including the SCT website and can't find instructions on using the X4 while the engine's running.  I've having an recurring misfire in one of the cylinders and the 542s have 12k miles, the coil packs are all OEM and brand new and both upstream O2 sensors are brand new.  I want to datalog the car and see if I can find another issue that may be causing this.  I am not having the random misfire code like I have in the past.  2010 MKS Eco running Unleashed tunes, currently 3BAR 93 performance.

Any input and assistance will be greatly appreciated.

I had a misfire issue with my NGK's over 5500 rpm.  But no codes.. what is the behavior you are seeing?
Title: Re: SCT X4 usage
Post by: Black Dream on August 11, 2020, 05:42:45 PM
I've had a recurring problem with intermittent codes for cylinder misfire, random misfire, 02 sensors and a couple of months ago had really bad gas smell, white smoke, rough running etc. I'm now leaning towards a faulty injector/s, the problem comes and goes at random. Put some Chevron Techron fuel system cleaner in today and I'm running Shell V power gas to see if that helps.

My other question is can I run the SCT while I'm driving to see gauges monitoring the car? I run Torque Pro and recently Forscan quit pairing up with my OBDII adapter and I think the SCT has more parameters to monitor.

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Title: Re: SCT X4 usage
Post by: StealBlueSho on August 11, 2020, 06:09:18 PM
Quote from: Black Dream on August 11, 2020, 05:42:45 PM
I've had a recurring problem with intermittent codes for cylinder misfire, random misfire, 02 sensors and a couple of months ago had really bad gas smell, white smoke, rough running etc. I'm now leaning towards a faulty injector/s, the problem comes and goes at random. Put some Chevron Techron fuel system cleaner in today and I'm running Shell V power gas to see if that helps.

My other question is can I run the SCT while I'm driving to see gauges monitoring the car? I run Torque Pro and recently Forscan quit pairing up with my OBDII adapter and I think the SCT has more parameters to monitor.

Sent from my LM-G820 using Tapatalk
Yes, you can hook the SCT to your car and watch the gauges from the handheld or you can connect it to a laptop and car at the same time and monitor from your laptop.
Title: Re: SCT X4 usage
Post by: TopherSho on August 11, 2020, 06:22:01 PM
I'd recommend chaining the SCT to a laptop as well.  You will get longer recording sessions and the cpu on the lappy will be better at capturing the data.  plus.. since it is already hooked up you can change the parameters you are monitoring whilst still in the car.

Mention of white smoke bugs/triggers me.. how much water is the car using?  Are you having to top if off every know and then?

Back injectors fail 1st ''typically;'' in the SHOs due to temps along the fire wall and air flow issues.  Pull the plugs out and inspect them it will be super obvious if there is a bad injector,  Watch the STFT; LTFT; AFR; Lambse ..

**IF** this is really really intermittent you may have crap in your IC that gets sucked up from time to time into the intake.  get a borescope, take some cowl bits off and take a look at the bottom of the IC.. or as other people have done get a long non-breakable stick and shove it in to the bottom and get a depth reading on the crud.
Title: Re: SCT X4 usage
Post by: Black Dream on August 11, 2020, 06:30:10 PM
Thanks for the laptop suggestion. I pulled all 6 plugs 3 weeks ago and they look fine. No burning, scarring or any moisture was present. I flushed the rad a month ago and there isn't, or ever has been, any fluid loss from the system. I had a tiny crack in the upper rad hose and replaced it at the same time. The oil is pristine and the smoke event only happened 1 time and was tied to a really strong gas smell. Hasn't happened since so I don't see a water pump failing, the weep holes are bone dry as well.

I'll check the IC, do you think drilling a small drain hole in it is a good idea if it has some gunk?

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Title: Re: SCT X4 usage
Post by: StealBlueSho on August 11, 2020, 06:35:38 PM
Quote from: Black Dream on August 11, 2020, 06:30:10 PM
Thanks for the laptop suggestion. I pulled all 6 plugs 3 weeks ago and they look fine. No burning, scarring or any moisture was present. I flushed the rad a month ago and there isn't, or ever has been, any fluid loss from the system. I had a tiny crack in the upper rad hose and replaced it at the same time. The oil is pristine and the smoke event only happened 1 time and was tied to a really strong gas smell. Hasn't happened since so I don't see a water pump failing, the weep holes are bone dry as well.

I'll check the IC, do you think drilling a small drain hole in it is a good idea if it has some gunk?

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These cars are known for having injectors suddenly stick open. The fact that is has happened once in start up would concern me, I would certainly keep an eye on it. As Tropher said, monitor fuel trims. If one bank is running significantly richer than the other, you might have an injector issue....

If you want, on the next oil change, send some off to black stone for analysis, might be worth a look.


Also, don't condone or anyone on this forum will condone drilling holes in an IC for draining fluid. Get a catch can and/or periodically suction your IC if you are concerned.
Title: Re: SCT X4 usage
Post by: Black Dream on August 11, 2020, 08:40:05 PM
So far fuel trims are consistent so I'll keep an eye moving forward. The Blackstone idea is good, I sent samples from my last 2 cars to them but haven't done that with the MKS, since she's got 112K miles by now that's something I need to start.

I have the JLT catch can and in 4 months it's only caught about 2 tablespoons of blow by so I'm not sure it's really needed at this point but it's still there. Thanks for setting me straight on the intercooler, this is my first turbocharged car so after a year I'm still learning lots. Hell I just used the SCV for the first time Sunday and my minor complaint about the THX II sound system not getting loud enough for me was crushed. I can't turn it almost all the way up anymore lol.

Thanks for the help, I really appreciate it.

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Title: Re: SCT X4 usage
Post by: StealBlueSho on August 11, 2020, 09:14:53 PM
Quote from: Black Dream on August 11, 2020, 08:40:05 PM
So far fuel trims are consistent so I'll keep an eye moving forward. The Blackstone idea is good, I sent samples from my last 2 cars to them but haven't done that with the MKS, since she's got 112K miles by now that's something I need to start.

I have the JLT catch can and in 4 months it's only caught about 2 tablespoons of blow by so I'm not sure it's really needed at this point but it's still there. Thanks for setting me straight on the intercooler, this is my first turbocharged car so after a year I'm still learning lots. Hell I just used the SCV for the first time Sunday and my minor complaint about the THX II sound system not getting loud enough for me was crushed. I can't turn it almost all the way up anymore lol.

Thanks for the help, I really appreciate it.

Sent from my LM-G820 using Tapatalk
Glad to help!!! Good luck!
Title: Re: SCT X4 usage
Post by: avidmotion on August 26, 2020, 06:58:53 PM
...pardon the interruption, please explain how you got radio louder?.....thank you....btw my misfires went away after I changed to MSD coils....
Title: Re: SCT X4 usage
Post by: SM105K on August 27, 2020, 08:58:08 AM
Quote from: avidmotion on August 26, 2020, 06:58:53 PM
...pardon the interruption, please explain how you got radio louder?.....thank you....btw my misfires went away after I changed to MSD coils....

Turn the knob to the right, or press the volume button on the steering wheel up? 

If you are maxed and trying to go louder......I dont know.  I haven't actually dug deep into that, however I am sure something could be done in forscan.
Title: Re: SCT X4 usage
Post by: Black Dream on August 27, 2020, 09:13:24 AM
Quote from: avidmotion on August 26, 2020, 06:58:53 PM
...pardon the interruption, please explain how you got radio louder?.....thank you....btw my misfires went away after I changed to MSD coils....
I used the SCV function, speed control volume, which was set to off. I turned it up to 7 which is the max on our '10 MKS Eco. At speeds over 30 the volume is significantly louder than it ever was maxed out with it off. When I turn the volume up to about 60% it's as loud as max was and it will get louder as you increase the volume. Seems like there's less bass cut as well which for me is a good thing. I had to tweak my phone's eq settings a bit as well to compensate.

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