Italian tune-up.

[Chops]

Have to do this on carbed 2-stroke machines like my snowmobile. It'll load up if you idle it for too long or run at low RPMs for an extended period of time. Need to get into the throttle to clear it out.

Yes, the “Canadian Tuneup” is similar to the “Italian Tuneup”. Both used worldwide as needed

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[Meeka]

Yes, the “Canadian Tuneup” is similar to the “Italian Tuneup”. Both used worldwide as needed

Nah, our Canadian Tune-up is pouring 500 mls of maple syrup in the gas tank every 6500 kms.

 

[BLUEOVALRACER]

Stock.

Thanks,didn't know they made that much boost stock.

 

[BLUEOVALRACER]

All the above really! It's fun to "clear it out" every once in a while. Pretty much on a weekly basis for me.

In theory it's supposed to help clean out the pistons and valves, hence the phrase "I'm gonna go burn some carbon off the valves."

Have to do this on carbed 2-stroke machines like my snowmobile. It'll load up if you idle it for too long or run at low RPMs for an extended period of time. Need to get into the throttle to clear it out.

Yep got to Rev those 2 strokes to clear them out. I had a Honda ATC 250R 3 Wheeler years ago even revving it up I still fouled a Plug out in the middle of nowhere. Good thing My buddy may He RIP had a spare plug with Him.

 

[dochawk]

Back In the day if you didn’t put the heat to the pistons now and then you’d build up carbon deposits on top of the pistons and around the valve seats.

Does nothing for a fuel injected modern engine.

The Cadillac Northstar (1993) was one of the first modern fuel injected engines, and the reason that Cadillac was, afaik, the only american brand involved in the Top Tier gas standard (which was to guarantee enough cleansers to boost compression). It had a 10.3 compression ratio, compared to the 9.0 of the Ford Triton released two years earlier (1991), both engines being breakthroughs in letting cars get out of their own way again after the Great Castration.

Somewehere on cadillacforums.com (but I can't find it right now) is a piece written by one of the engineers that designed the Northstar.

He explains that it simply didn't occur to them during the design phase that anyone would drive this 300hp engine like a grandma! It had about twice the raw hp as the 5.0L engines of its day, and a time and a half that of the Triton.

Time showed that, driven sedately, carbon built up.

Given that it was paired to the 4T80e electronically controlled transmission, his recommendation is that, monthly, you put it in first gear, and accelerate to freeway speed at WOT (the electronic transmission will automatically upshift notwithstanding the position of the shifter).

 

[Cherokee]

I like weekly get on it’s, come winter I’ll remember this and just do it monthly.
Most of my driving is under 65 and always low on the tach.

 

[Bob zimmerman]

Nah, our Canadian Tune-up is pouring 500 mls of maple syrup in the gas tank every 6500 kms.

When I drive behind you, I’d get hungry for pancakes.

 

[ScottyC]

When you do that in a hybrid, it sounds like a snow mobile when you hit the pedal ......rev's up and stays there as the vehicle goes faster....

 

[Brent@ANParts]

I'm a big proponent of the Italian Tune Up, the engines are designed for this (albeit not at full rev-limit for an extended time). I used to have an RX7 and it was crucial to do this on almost every drive.

 

[dochawk]

When I drive behind you, I’d get hungry for pancakes.

there are (or at least were) countries in Europe with French fry police, or whatever they called them. They would walk the street sniffing parked diesel cars, seeking those that smelled like French fries.

Their fuel taxes were so high that people had figured out that it cost less to fill up with cooking oil from the grocery store!

 

[MaverickDragon]

Yes, the “Canadian Tuneup” is similar to the “Italian Tuneup”. Both used worldwide as needed

In Canada, isn't it a "Canadian Tunep eh"...

 

[MaverickDragon]

When you do that in a hybrid, it sounds like a snow mobile when you hit the pedal ......rev's up and stays there as the vehicle goes faster....

Due to the "auto-magic" transmission selecting the best ratio.. It's efficient that way.

 

[Gamma500]

I'm a big proponent of the Italian Tune Up, the engines are designed for this (albeit not at full rev-limit for an extended time). I used to have an RX7 and it was crucial to do this on almost every drive.

I’m also an ex RX7 owner and the “Italian Tune Up” was a necessity to keep rotors clean. Unfortunately it led to my converter getting clogged. They cost a fortune so I deleted it and the engine wouldn’t idle anymore. A Mazda tech told me that back pressure was critical to a rotary motor. Got tired of holding revs up at every red light and sold it as parts.
I miss that car, felt as close to a 2 stroke as you could get on four wheels.

 

[rlhdweman]

The Cadillac Northstar (1993) was one of the first modern fuel injected engines, and the reason that Cadillac was, afaik, the only american brand involved in the Top Tier gas standard (which was to guarantee enough cleansers to boost compression). It had a 10.3 compression ratio, compared to the 9.0 of the Ford Triton released two years earlier (1991), both engines being breakthroughs in letting cars get out of their own way again after the Great Castration.

Somewehere on cadillacforums.com (but I can't find it right now) is a piece written by one of the engineers that designed the Northstar.

He explains that it simply didn't occur to them during the design phase that anyone would drive this 300hp engine like a grandma! It had about twice the raw hp as the 5.0L engines of its day, and a time and a half that of the Triton.

Time showed that, driven sedately, carbon built up.

Given that it was paired to the 4T80e electronically controlled transmission, his recommendation is that, monthly, you put it in first gear, and accelerate to freeway speed at WOT (the electronic transmission will automatically upshift notwithstanding the position of the shifter).

I had a 1994 with a Northstar, I drove it like I stole it, a loved that engine.

 

[dochawk]

I had a 1994 with a Northstar, I drove it like I stole it, a loved that engine.

there's really nothing quite like a Northstar!

Along with the ford modular v8, it marked the end of the Great Castration.

I had an '89 Crown Victoria. When it got hit by a county bus while parked (yes, really!), my rental from the dealer was a '91 Crown Victoria (from the adjuster: "was that really called for? " me: I drive a standard rental issue crown Victoria. I rented the same thing. ).

I was stunned by the way it could toss the car around; I hadn't driven anything after the early 70s that could do that. I mean, it could actually get out of it's own way!

The '89 could go up the Baker grade (a sustained d6% grade in the mohave desert) in 3d with the AC running, no problem. The '91 simply did it in cruise control.

Two years later came Northstar. For a couple of years, only Allante & Eldorado Touring coupe, but, wow! Real Cadillac power & torque, and in a much lighter vehicle than an old school Caddie.

Now that I'm gearing up to build a six car garage (ok, I admit I have a car problem. ). So a guy needs a 50s convertible, a 70s convertible, a 20s [peferably a '26 Cadillac, but probably a model A untilI find one], a roadster, a [convertible] pony car, and a roadster. Leaving room for a Northstar!

OK, actually I'm booing to build 12' high, so all six slots could have a storage lift. And at a planned 40 ft wide, I could actually do 4x2 instead of 3x2. But . . .

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