My engine chipping experience so far

[DGW]

Took my Chipit out today as I am getting the 40K service done on Thursday and went for a drive. What a difference, cant wait to put the chip back on Friday.

Yes, I have been assured by service manager that valve clearances will be checked after leaving the Prado over night. Hopefully the results are provided like I have requested for future reference.

[CQ_Prado]

Just ordered the chip only version of chipit.. so we'll see how it goes, ordered it yesterday, hope its here before the weekend...

[sbclover]

I am contemplating a chip/module for our Prado, hopefully to improve the fuel economy when towing a camper. The dyno graphs shown on the ChipIt web site look impressive, but appear to start at about 2000rpm and go up from there, and obviously show WOT results. I suspect that the majority of my driving is either 100kph cruising (with or without cruise control) or below 2000rpm - out here there is little other traffic to race with so we don't bother with the CBD "point to point"!

Will a chip make any difference to economy under light throttle "relaxed" driving conditions?

I would hate to take my chip off towing my camper. If you have an auto as I do and tow in 4th it will doing more than 2000rpm.
When towing my camper I am returning 14lt/100km the trailer weighs in at 1.25 ton thats wet with a tinnie on top.

Sean

[sbclover]

woops woops

[zzsstt]

I am contemplating a chip/module for our Prado, hopefully to improve the fuel economy when towing a camper. The dyno graphs shown on the ChipIt web site look impressive, but appear to start at about 2000rpm and go up from there, and obviously show WOT results. I suspect that the majority of my driving is either 100kph cruising (with or without cruise control) or below 2000rpm - out here there is little other traffic to race with so we don't bother with the CBD "point to point"!

Will a chip make any difference to economy under light throttle "relaxed" driving conditions?

[Chip It]

Hi rbert. its to do with fuel temps not just ambient temps.

[rbert]

i'd like to add another conundrum, my Prado also suffers from the cold engine noise with chip fitted.
always happens for the first few kms till engine warms up.
but my conundrum is that during the winter months it didn't make the cold engine noise or rattle as this is what it sounds like, and now the weather has warmed up, it is making the noise again.
So work that one out?

[Chip It]

All good Doc. I know your heart in this matter. I'll be happy to help. First print up the Oil Catch Can thread with pics and hand it over the ARB.

With regards to the noise, it is either the pump slowed down by the fuel dragging through the new filter or the warmer weather. maybe wait for a cold snap and report back if you could. Either way, I am keen to hear about it.

Q. Did they EXCHANGE filters or ADD a new one?

Q. Could you email me some good hi res pics of the new fuel filter and the plumbing? I was looking into getting some fab'ed up and kitted and want some ideas as to what is being fitted? BTW the better fuel filters are a good idea. Did they advise how many micro is that filter?

BTW, Hope the patient didn't feel any extra pain

Merry Christmas CT

[ctkelleymd]

Just to be clear, have bought from Rob (have the ChipIT and extol its virtue), kiwi doc's don't make what Aussie doc's make (that's why many flee to Oz), and I plan to purchase from Rob again (had contacted him for an order when this came up, thus my comment) the item is a genuine Provent and cheaper only in sense that when I purchase from OZ I pay minimum of $80 AUS (parity with US dollar not kiwi) freight (it's over the ditch, no roads) and pay minimum of $90 NZD customs for the privilege. I commented since he has been getting dig's on the noise issue, this was an unexpected benefit I thought might clarify matters, and the locals are good blokes--kiwis are cheap period. They understood what it did, they didn't see the point, remeber we don't have long dry stretches of road in the middle of nowhere here. Yes, I can take a joke, just don't ask me to say 'Fish n' chips'?! Go All Blacks!

[brogers]

Merry Christmas to y'all
Rob;
I have a conundrum for you: first off let me admit I am no diesel mechanic but learning from your excellent responses. I was having a Provent installed (sorry got it here in NZ, the savings from customs and shipping helpful this time of year) last Friday at my friendly neighborhood ARB/4WD store whilst I was at work when they called and stated they didn't undestand the Provent (we are in talks and I need your expertise) then recommended a diesel filter. I was in the middle of a patient so was lost on the pros/cons of filtering water out of the diesel and diesel recapture so said go for it. Here's the fun part: ever since the filters been in, that 'noise' people talk about with accelleration that some attributed to the CHipIt is GONE. Same time in the morning. Slightly warmer ambient temps. Same vehicle (plus plumbed fancy filter). Same stretch of road. Same accelleration. NO NOISE. Does this make sense or should I check myself in to the 'resting place'? I should say this is an industrial looking unit with plumbing that looks the size of A/C hose. Also they left a spot outlined in the pictures by VXWesty for the Provent?!

Just a friendly observation of your "conundrum" ( a comment from the sidelines).....just the way I see it. You purchase a Provent from someone in NZ because its cheaper...OK....I can see that you must be short of loose change.....(if you are anything like most MD's you hate spending money on little things and then spend big on big things) ...the installer you choose has no idea what it does ....no surprise there, because many of the new breed of mechanics have no idea about such things ...but now you want to get advice or comment from Rob....mmmm, interesting. I'm sure Rob will give his advice for free, without a consultation fee.
Anyway, the engine noise is now mysteriously gone....maybe they removed that stray sheep from under the bonnett

Just having a friendly dig, don't get offended.

[ctkelleymd]

Merry Christmas to y'all
Rob;
I have a conundrum for you: first off let me admit I am no diesel mechanic but learning from your excellent responses. I was having a Provent installed (sorry got it here in NZ, the savings from customs and shipping helpful this time of year) last Friday at my friendly neighborhood ARB/4WD store whilst I was at work when they called and stated they didn't undestand the Provent (we are in talks and I need your expertise) then recommended a diesel filter. I was in the middle of a patient so was lost on the pros/cons of filtering water out of the diesel and diesel recapture so said go for it. Here's the fun part: ever since the filters been in, that 'noise' people talk about with accelleration that some attributed to the CHipIt is GONE. Same time in the morning. Slightly warmer ambient temps. Same vehicle (plus plumbed fancy filter). Same stretch of road. Same accelleration. NO NOISE. Does this make sense or should I check myself in to the 'resting place'? I should say this is an industrial looking unit with plumbing that looks the size of A/C hose. Also they left a spot outlined in the pictures by VXWesty for the Provent?!

[MidLifeCrisis]

You too Rob

[Chip It]

Dear Forum Members

I wish to take this opportunity to wish every one a very Merry Christmas, remembering the reason for the season.

Be well and enjoy to break we all have been looking forward to.

Best regards and thanks once again for the support and patronage during 2012.

May you have a blessed 2013.

Sincerely

Robert

[Chip It]

should not blow smoke till around tune 10. And then with 3" exhaust that smoke should reduce quite a bit.

If you have smoke at tune 5, you need to get the car checked out for possible blocked cat or gunked up intake manifold

Many 3 to 4 year old diesels are showing signs of this

BLOCKED MANIFOLD 1

SECOND PIC

SAME MANIFOLD CLEANED

THIS IS FROM OIL COMING THROUGH THE PCV THEN MIXING WITH THE EGR. Hence why filtering the oil with a "GOOD" oil catch can (see my prado point store) and blanking off the EGR is majorly beneficial

Engine noise increase or decrease depends on the engine and or injectors. We have heard of both situations occurring. If there is an increase in noise it is usually only when the engine is stone cold. Noise disappears when warm. We have a temp switch that can be fitted or stop the noise during warm up. You shouldn't need the engine chipped when cold in any case

EVERY CHIP on the market will display a lower reading on the computer as the ECU doesn't know there is more fuel going in. It just sees less throttle being used. Usually out by 1 litre per 100 kms

Correct, most people use the dash board gauge.

Hope this helps

Cheers

[John75]

HI everyone,

Only a new and recent Prado 150 owner, but not new to a 4WD.

This is a huge thread to read! Seems that problems are sorted to date with the Prado chip it. And it seems great support from the chip it crew. The few questions I do ask,

Is the black smoke on the tune 5 noticeable, it would annoy me to see this in the rear mirror every gear change, or blowing over cars behind me. Is this what to expect from any chipping?

Is there a increased engine noise?

And are there many effected with the fuel average reading lower than what it actually happening? As standard it slightly over estimates to avoid running out of fuel, and would hate the wife to run of fuel because of a incorrect average reading. Yes I know the obvious would be to look at he fuel gauge!

Cheers

John