Blown engine - RS Tuner?

[Sss107]

Hi all, engine has gone bang! I recently done the 98 Ron Map. Driven it for 150 miles and then it went.

Do you think it is possible the Rs Tuner Map could be the reason?

All belts, tensioners etc done in November last year by a specialist. Car has full service history, recent oil change, no fault codes.. Etc

The only thing that has recently been changed is the map. Here's a picture of what we found inside (amongst a lot of other metal debris)

 

[c4pob]

No pics. Sorry to hear about the engine.

 

[Sss107]

Here we go.... This was in the 3rd chamber. Looks like part of the valve seating?? No idea what it's called!

 

[Mr R.]

Dropped a valve I take it?

If so I dose happen to these engine's.

 

[Fletcher]

I very much doubt the 98 Ron map caused engine failure. I have had the 98 Ron map on my 172 for years with no issues.

 

[Sss107]

Dropped a valve I take it?

If so I dose happen to these engine's.

Ooooh! Just to say, I have no intentions of slating Rs Tuner. I just found it odd that I just mapped it and then goes after 150 miles!

Is it it likely that it was on its way out (car has 84k) and the map just pushed it over the edge??

 

[Amos91]

Coincidence and unlucky.

 

[Sss107]

Coincidence and unlucky.

What would cause it to happen mate? Is it a case of just bad luck (cause I have seen 1*2's over 150k with no real issues) or is there preventive maintenance that can be done? I.e uprated valves... - which are horrifically expensive!
My car had full history, regular oil changes etc and not been tracked (to my knowledge)

 

[Scrooge]

Luck mate. I've seen one with a dropped valve on 50k but I've also seen engines run past 180k with just general maintainace. The valves on these are cheap s**t tbh

 

[davo172]

Ran Rs tuner on mine for years no issues ran so much better than std . Just probly on its way before you mapped it.

 

[Mr Plums]

What causes it to drop a valve tho apart from the obvious?

Surely if you are tootling to the shop at 40mph in 5th it doesn't go bang for no reason?

 

[Tony Hunter]

People can stretch them, by over revving on a down change.

 

[Sss107]

People can stretch them, by over revving on a down change.

So should we be replacing our valves at certain miles? (Just an idea!) could be rather expensive though!

 

[chaski]

It's won't be the map. Hundreds and hundreds have flashed 98Ron maps onto there cars and this would be the first issue I've read about in the 3+ years since owning my car.

 

[Tony Hunter]

So should we be replacing our valves at certain miles? (Just an idea!) could be rather expensive though!

Depends if you drive like a tool or not.

But seriously, they are a weak point in the car I'm afraid.

 

[Sss107]

Makes me wonder how they survive as track cars! Just checked the price of uprated valves, £458! Oooo

 

[BoatNonce]

Is it the overrun map (pops 'n' bangs) or the normal one?

The overrun map has been known to do such things, but to do it in the space of 150 miles, it'd have to already be on the way out.

 

[Fletcher]

Makes me wonder how they survive as track cars! Just checked the price of uprated valves, £458! Oooo

Some engines are weaker than others, my 172 is now on 155k and I give it hell on track/ 'ring but service it regularly etc..and it still makes 174.5bhp (Surrey Rolling Road)

 

[Sss107]

Some engines are weaker than others, my 172 is now on 155k and I give it hell on track/ 'ring but service it regularly etc..and it still makes 174.5bhp (Surrey Rolling Road)

Well I've just bought a 172 cup engine with 60k on it. Hopefully it will be strong enough! I am sure I read that the 172 has a stronger head but might have made that up!

 

[Sss107]

Is it the overrun map (pops 'n' bangs) or the normal one?

The overrun map has been known to do such things, but to do it in the space of 150 miles, it'd have to already be on the way out.

Was the 98 RON map... I agree, just coincidental I think!

 

[Fletcher]

Well I've just bought a 172 cup engine with 60k on it. Hopefully it will be strong enough! I am sure I read that the 172 has a stronger head but might have made that up!

Fingers crossed mate. I've never heard about the 172 having a stronger head.

 

[Dan@SJM]

Makes me wonder how they survive as track cars! Just checked the price of uprated valves, £458! Oooo

I can do them for £325 delivered.

 

[Sss107]

Little update. New engine is in! Idle is alittle lumpy but that's about it. However..... After getting the car checked out by a Renault Specialist, they confirmed the timing was spot on but injector 2 wasn't right. They cleaned this up but actually made it worse.
Is it complete coincidence that it was number 2 chamber that went and number 2 injector isn't firing as it should. (I used my existing injectors and just swapped the block) Could I have been under fueling and basically cook it? Or running rich and detonate it?! The 98 Ron map pushed it over the edge?. When it went, I had driven it for 150 miles straight so engine would have been hot.

 

[R3k1355]

You usually get det from under-fuelling, or bad timing so maybe.
Any signs of det damage on the piston or combustion chamber?

(I realise it might be hard to see det damage when the engine drops and valve and smashed it to f**k inside the engine)