Saab 92 Forum : Saab92x.com / CEL PFFFE

aeroWolf · 2012-03-08 14:21:50

So, since going stage2 about 5 months ago, and installing a Perrin DP and STI axle-back, I occasionally get CEL's. The errors are about every two weeks or so. And usually are misfires on a random cylinder + PFFFE.

So for example the error might read:

P0304
P0302
PFFFE

then the next time it would be:

P0303
P0301
PFFFE

Usually it is like that, both from one side, and the PFFFE.

Occasionally it is:

P0304
P0303
P0302
PFFFE

No real rhyme or reason to them. I guess i have noticed them after a longer road trip, then the next day they happen within 10 minutes of ignition, just city driving. Even after the CEL, my car drives 100% normally, and feels great. I am hoping it is something minor, but would love to get to the bottom of it.

Last edited by aeroWolf (2012-10-01 19:22:43)

Saab92X.com · Remove Advertisements

aeroWolf · 2012-03-08 18:58:03

bump

krazykarguy · 2012-03-08 20:38:33

I doubt your exhaust is causing misfire codes.

When were the plugs changed?

aeroWolf · 2012-03-08 20:40:30

FWIW i didn't receive one CEL with the stock exhaust/DP at stage0.

I got new plugs when i replaced my engine, 6 months ago.

Last edited by aeroWolf (2012-03-08 20:42:45)

kornfeld · 2012-03-08 20:48:37

Let's try and take a look this weekend. New plugs are no guarantee against problems...the box of plugs may have been dropped before they were sold; which might crack the ceramic, and that can lead to misfires. I had this issue a few years ago. New plugs, and one of them was cracked. C'est la vie. I don't think this is your issue though, seeing as all cylinders are affected.

I also doubt the exhaust has anything to do with this. When you put the new exhaust on, you also retuned the car, which could have something to do with the issue; and you also upped the strain on components, which could have something to do with the issue.

And there's the always-applicable saying: Things aren't broken until they break. This issue might be completely unrelated to the mods.

If it isn't something obvious like a loose wire or something, I'd say run a bottle of techron through the engine, then change the oil.

aeroWolf · 2012-03-08 20:54:13

yeah it seems like it is something to do w/ the tune. But its just the standard cobb map, so who knows. I will drop a bottle of techron in it tonight when i fill up. I might go on a drive saturday morning to burn through that, then change the oil before we meetup this weekend.

I also need to get smogged this weekend at some point, first time since going stage2 so hopefully that is fine. From what i read i should be ok.

tekkheadd · 2012-03-09 07:27:41

The smoke could be from coolant or oil coming from the turbo. Maybe a little leaked out at the oil feed. Check your CV boot too.. it may be throwing grease on the turbo.

skidave · 2012-04-06 21:06:29

Sorry to bump an old thread, but aeroWolf, did you ever get this resolved?

It seems as though we are having the exact same experiences with our Aeros...I did actually end up going with an EJ205 replacement (not the hybrid) after the original block seized. I just picked up my car today, and it was running fine for about 30 minutes. I flashed stage 2 while it was still on the lift, so it had the COBB tune right from the start with the new exhaust parts.

However, after 30 minutes of relatively conservative driving, the check engine light came on and the car started shaking like crazy at RPMs lower than 1500. I am getting the P0302, P0304, and PFFFE codes.

Tomorrow when it's light out, I'll try swapping spark plugs to see if it changes anything.

Just want to see if you resolved this... sadbanana

EDIT: starting a new thread.

Last edited by skidave (2012-04-06 21:08:53)

aeroWolf · 2012-04-06 21:23:10

Hey Dave,
I have never experienced any shaking at all, or any differences in the way it drives, but the codes you are getting are the exact same.

I broke in my engine before going stage2, and as you said starting getting these CEL's immediately after. I assume you are keeping your RPM's under 4k overall during your break-in?

I haven't done anything toward resolving it other than running a bottle of tecron through it and changing the oil.

I haven't seen a CEL in about a month now, but i'm sure i'm due for one soon.

Keep this thread updated w/ your results, I'll do the same.

skidave · 2012-04-06 21:29:01

Forgot to mention that this is a used engine with 62K miles, so already broken in. Fortunately, it has a lifetime warranty smile

I'm going to try swapping the spark plugs tomorrow to see if that changes the error codes.

I'll keep this updated with what happens! Glad to hear that your car still drives fine...mine shudders so much at low idle that I'm quite worried about it.

aeroWolf · 2012-04-06 21:37:50

I forgot to mention that about a month ago, Kornfeld plugged me into his laptop and did some diagnostics. He could speak to it more proficiently than me, but basically determined that the cobb map appeared to be the possible culprit. I am planning to go to open source when i have some time so i have control over my tune.

There is also another factor that could have something to do w/ it. I think my engine builder put a 2002 ECU in when he built my engine. Not sure if this is that big of a deal, and i think i would have seen serious problems by now if it was (im at 8k on the new engine) But who knows, the CEL's could be do to this alone.

kornfeld · 2012-04-09 11:17:05

When we logged a few pulls on aerowolf's car, his injector duty cycle was going all the way up to 100%. It wasn't on a particularly cold day, so I was guessing that it was possible this was at least contributing to his misfire issue, especially after driving on colder day or driving on the highway at WOT. I would also guess that this would lead to detonation issues but I didn't see any...we only logged for a bit, and I didn't see anything pop up, but a few more logs might end up showing knock.

Nothing else stood out to me as a red flag, and the learning view was clean (though the ECU was reset a few days prior, so this doesn't really mean too much).

Last edited by kornfeld (2012-04-09 11:18:55)