Advanced use of INPA for engine health

[mrscalex]

I've been using INPA for sometime to read off and clear error codes and I'm happy with that.

But if I go into the live engine readouts I'm completely bamboozled. I'd like to master that so I can get a wider feel for the health of the engine and support systems.

Does anyone know of a guide that will help me to understand what sort of readings I should be seeing? Really this is asking for mechanical knowledge to help interpret what I see in INPA - I'm happy enough finding my way around in INPA. I'm thinking of things like the cylinder balance and the lambda sensors.

With due respect to those who take the time to write stuff up, most of the guides out there are on configuring the software and showing screen shots without any knowledge to interpret the more advanced data.

Thanks!!

[pingu]

What is your level of mechanical knowledge?

Most of the stuff that I've seen on it are self-explanatory if you have mechanical knowledge. If you haven't, you shouldn't really be playing with it. Viewing the screens will help you learn, but using the "Activate" button without having the knowledge to anticipate what is likely to happen could have some unexpected results.

I've seen some screens with many gauges on them. Each gauge could take several minutes to explain how the measurement is being made and whether the reading is high or low and whether it is unusual compared to the other measurements. This is why you need a general background understanding of the basics before you dive into something like INPA.

[mrscalex]

What is your level of mechanical knowledge?

I think it's all relative isn't it? Compared with the average man in the street it's good. Compared with the experts on this forum it's probably poor.

I've re-shelled cars, pulled engines and gearboxes in and out, de-coked cylinder heads. Albeit 30 years ago on Mk I/2 Escorts but then I don't really find Z3s much more complicated.

But you can probably describe what I do as just swapping complete assemblies. What I've never done before is low level work inside engines & gearboxes and I'd claim little in the way of understanding of management systems. But what I have always been able to do is forage for knowledge effectively and learn.

You've probably answered the question really and I knew it was coming. If you have the mechanical knowledge you don't need INPA readings explained. I don't have the mechanical knowledge and it can't easily be taught. No good the tail wagging the dog and all that!

Bet I can knock spots off the lot of you when it comes to model cars, ie Scalextric though 30 years of collecting, trading, restoring plus in the process of writing a book on 1950s/60s factory history. Just need to scale that up 32 times now

[pingu]

Because you worked on old school stuff, you probably know enough to understand the readings.

The great thing with old school stuff was that it let you know when it was going off-tune. Modern cars tweek the ECU settings so the engine can be pretty knackered, but still sound as sweet as a nut. The readouts on the INPA will show you the settings used to the ECU to make the engine run. There is a reset button that will restore the original settings. If the engine is pretty ropy and you reset the ECU, the engine will sound like a bag of spanners for about 10 minutes before the ECU has restored the parameters needed to make the engine run.

Compare it to twisting the distributor to make the engine run when the carburettor has the wrong jets fitted.

I love old school stuff. My dream job would be the one done by the guy who tuned the Urraco on Wheeler Dealers. Instead, I'll just make do with trying to optimise an S50 .