rx7convert22

I have an S5 vert. I know my ports are controled by the air pump. My question is can you see if your ports are opening by putting the car in neutral and just having someone rev the engine to about 4500? If not would putting it into gear with the clutch in work? I just want to be able to check for failure. I suspect they may not be opening plus just failed HCs on my smog test which would also indicate problems with my airpump/acv perhaps. Would be sweet if by fixing an emissions problem I also gained HP by fixing my ports if they are not working!

Icemark

no, the ECU needs to see the engine under load to activate the aux ports

rx7convert22

Well that stinks, but makes sense. So any tricks on knowing if they are opening?

Icemark

and yes, if your air pump was not working, that could result in both high HC s in a emission test and the ports not working when under load

rx7convert22

Would it indicate air pump for sure or could it be the acv as well?

mikaz

smear a little grease on the rods, then take it for a.... spirited drive. If the grease has been smeared up the rod, then they are working, and if it doesnt look like it's been touched, then well they probably arent moving. Clean the grease off when you're done or it'll collect dirt.

crazyasu

Icemark...I thought so too that your aux ports only work under load...but actually got proven wrong...when I took my car in to a rotary specialist mech...explained that my ACV wasn't working and I don't think my 5/6th ports are activating...he said let me check...popped the hood reved the engine and "bam" to my suprise..the linkage rods dropped...he said nah there working fine...that'll be $70 bucks...haha...JJ about the $$$ part...

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Icemark

Only way that would work is if the boost/pressure sensor was not working.

S5 cars need to see the load for the ECU to switch the controlling solenoid on.

Besides, your profile says you have a 88, and 84-88 models are controlled by exhaust volocity/pressure, not the ECU and air pump like rx7convert22's car.

crazyasu

yes...yes..u are correct...when I took my car in...i had my cats...and they were working fine...now I don't have any cats...and they've quit working...(the split air pipe was re-attached)...@ the moment I have them zip-tied open...can I tap into the air-pump...

Icemark

well if the replacement pipe for your cats has a air feed, then you can use that... well unless you have installed the wrong size cat back and your exhaust volocity is down.

The other options are to tap the dump line from the ACV or get a RPM switch and a solenoid, then tap the air pump output before the ACV.

The only draw back with the air pump output however is the lack of a linear activation like the stock system has. they just pop open instead of progressivly open.

rx7convert22

Well today I tried to see if my ports are opening. I believe they aren't. Does the following sound like a good test? I put some masking tape over the rods that are supposed to extend. I figured if they raised the tap would tear or at the least not be on as neatly. Well I went for a spirited ride, and well the tap looks just as it did when I put it on. I know for a fact at least on port is not stuck and the other is a bit tight but still can be moved by hand. So any thoughts? Air pump? Where does the air go after the air pump to the ports? Does it go through the ACV? Thanks again for all your help.

Icemark

You should be able to move the aux port actuators by hand.

it would be doubtful that the tape (I think that is what you mean when you said "tap") would rip. Grease on the rod would probably be a better test, but if you can not move them by hand, then they are not working anyway.

The air goes from the air pump, to right before the ACV where it has a line off for both the VDI solenoid and Aux port solenoid.

The solenoids are the valves the ECU throws to allow the air to get to the actuators.

rx7convert22

Lol sorry yes I meant masking tape. I guess the thing that confuses me about the grease on the rod thing is that the rod is down when the car is at rest unless I don't understand what you all mean by rod. A pic would help. Sorry a bit slow on this.

crazyasu

I have no cats...ran 2-1/4" pipe...threw in a high flow resonator...re-attached the air feed...and my ACV doesn't work...what else can I do...