Community Forums

AKIQPilot · 01-07-2020, 07:56 AM

Coolant temp is also important to monitor. You can detect the temperature your electric and clutch fans are coming on and off and assure they are operating properly. You can use the coolant temp to help you decide when to turn off the AC while traveling up steep hills or under very heavy loads. And when all other countermeasures fail you can monitor coolant temp to decide when to back out of the throttle and shift to a lower gear to keep the coolant below the critical temperature.

AKIQPilot · 01-07-2020, 08:01 AM

I also monitor IAT regularly. Checking it every hour or two on long trips. I compare the SG IAT to my dash outside air temp to assure both are reading consistent with previous checks. If my IAT begins reading warmer than my outside air temp then I begin to suspect a dirty MAF.

At normal highway speeds my IAT and outside temp gauge are within 2 degrees. If the IAT begins to drift I consider a quick cleaning of the MAF. I clean my MAF annually or whenever it sees 4 deg different than the outside temp.

AKIQPilot · 01-07-2020, 08:07 AM

I will scan the engine voltage coming from the alternator at least once per hour. Sometimes more often. My alternator puts out between 14.4 and 14.7 vdc when traveling at highway speeds. If I see something different than that I begin to suspect an issue with the batteries or alternator. I check the batteries monthly for corrosion, liquid level and electrolytes. Monitoring the alternator output regularly helps me ensure im not over or under charging the batteries when going down the road.

AKIQPilot · 01-07-2020, 08:14 AM

Sometimes a slight headwind or slight incline will make it seem like the coach is running out of power. I will need slightly more throttle pressure to maintain cruising speed. The incline or headwind are undetectable from the drivers seat. A quick check of the MAF readings and the fuel flow will alert me to the increased load. I also look for a flag pole to see if I can detect wind direction. And a quick glance at the GPS will tell me if there is a slight increase in elevation causing the extra power needs.

jim58 · 01-11-2020, 07:12 PM

Do one of you guys have a listing of the codes that apply the 8.1? Upon my first reading of the manual it looks like there are code numbers to set additional gauges to monitor.

Thanks..... Jim58

Unplanned Tourist · 01-11-2020, 07:46 PM

OK, I haven't tried too much to set up my ScanGauge II, but hope to figure out how to read fuel trim and air/fuel ratio.

Anyone know of a YouTube tutorial?

It's at least 3-4 months before I get the rig out, but would like to be able to see at least the A/F ratio.

I have read Omey's website info, but it's still a bit hazy.

Thanks.

Happy Glamping.

AKIQPilot · 01-12-2020, 05:50 AM

You have to enter the XGauge codes into the unit. Its pretty easy but takes about 1 minute to enter each different code. You can access all the XGauge codes on the ScanGauge website.

The instructions for entering the codes is there too.

Its not difficult but you have to enter each code perfectly or that parameter will not be collected from the ECU.

jim58 · 01-18-2020, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AKIQPilot

You have to enter the XGauge codes into the unit. Its pretty easy but takes about 1 minute to enter each different code. You can access all the XGauge codes on the ScanGauge website.

The instructions for entering the codes is there too.

Its not difficult but you have to enter each code perfectly or that parameter will not be collected from the ECU.

Great. I will research that today. Installed the SG last night. Seems like a simple but effective little tool.

Jim58

George Schweikle · 01-19-2020, 08:36 AM

Agree. And, for any P-30 owners reading this, your dashboard coolant temperature gauge may be very inaccurate. A Scangauge is far more accurate - to the extent that I never even look at the dashboard coolant gauge.

I mount my scangauge on the top of the dashboard instrument area so I can view it without taking my eyes off of the road.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AKIQPilot

Coolant temp is also important to monitor. You can detect the temperature your electric and clutch fans are coming on and off and assure they are operating properly. You can use the coolant temp to help you decide when to turn off the AC while traveling up steep hills or under very heavy loads. And when all other countermeasures fail you can monitor coolant temp to decide when to back out of the throttle and shift to a lower gear to keep the coolant below the critical temperature.

Isaac-1 · 01-19-2020, 10:50 AM

Same here

harleyjt · 01-19-2020, 11:12 AM

I mounted mine on a convenient ledge on top of the steering column just under the cluster. I currently monitor, engine temp, trans temp, Intake air temp and charging voltage. Based on some conversation above, I may make some changes and monitor fuel trim.
jt

vettenuts · 01-19-2020, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Isaac-1

The main things I monitor on my 8.1L are LF1 and LF2, as a rule of thumb you want to see values of less than 10, anything over 10 or 12 while climbing a hill and you should start looking for the cause, often it will be either a dirty MAF or spark plug / spark plug wire issues, may also be O2 sensors. Max fuel trim adjustment is about +/-20 the bad thing is the 8.1L will not set a warning light for out of trim, and it seems many 8.1L engine have been destroyed over the years due to running lean after hitting max trim adjustment.

Units of fuel trim?

Ultra RV Products · 01-19-2020, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vettenuts

Units of fuel trim?

Fuel trims are measured in percentage.

coopcolt · 01-20-2020, 04:18 AM

Trying to understand fuel trims! I assume to be good they are to
mirror each other as close as possible. Can one bank be good and
the other bank be high (above 10) because of bad plug or plug
wire? Will the CPU try to balance the trims within reason, to the
point you do not know which bank is causing the problem?
coopcolt