Car feels softer :(

[Reconstructor]

Hey, guys. Just had cambelt failure - jumped with 2 toots. We did measured the cylinder pressure and it is in acceptable range, so it seems like there is no mechanical failure. And since the intake was removed to measure the pressure, we decided to replace the spark plugs as well. Don't remember the exact brand and model, will see later.
So, now the car feels somewhat "softer", it was a way more "sharper" and brutal before. Just wanted to hear your quick thoughts about the possible case - is it because some implicit damage due to cambelt jump, or is it the plugs?

[mike74]

I'd check for the simple things first like vacuum/boost lines not connected properly, HT leads on correctly etc etc before going too much further. Hopefully it'll be something simple to sort it out again. If compression is good across the board then one would tend to think there's something else at fault anyway

[exevoowner]

Could be number of things check all boost hoses for leaks did you reset the ecu as it will need to relearn ?

[Reconstructor]

Could be number of things check all boost hoses for leaks did you reset the ecu as it will need to relearn ?

Maybe I'm going crazy, but when I drove back home last night, I feel that it actually started to pull harder and harder on each traffic light... So, maybe the adaptation of ECU&TCU is really the issue... But SO much difference?
Anyway, how much toots is the safe zone for cambelt jump?

[exevoowner]

Cant help you there as i was always told any tooth mis alinement was bad as it runs valve to piston clearance too little

[Reconstructor]

Here is boost log I just did. Looks in order. However, car doesn't feel as before, definitely. Any way to check valves without removing the heads?
1381369_10201409643780354_561324963_n.jpg

[wintertidenz]

Run an inspection camera down the spark plug hole.

[Nick Mann]

A boost log won't help with a small leak. You need to do a static boost leak test, or st least physically check every connection. With a small leak the car will still make boost but the fuelling will go off.

[Reconstructor]

Run an inspection camera down the spark plug hole.

Waiting for an inspection camera, but the guys told me this might be a futile attempt, since black soot layer most likely covers the damage traces.

[Reconstructor]

You need to do a static boost leak test

How to perform that?

[Nick Mann]

How to perform that?

The best way is to use an air supply, connect it to the y pipe outlet to the intercooler and then hold the pressure at 1.5 bar. You should be able to hear any large leaks, but a soapy water sprayed onto joints will show up smaller ones.

[Reconstructor]

Thanks, Nick, will do!

[Reconstructor]

Hello again.
Here is new spark plugs, PFR6B. Old ones are lost, so their type and brand is unknown. Are those plugs okay? If they are not, can it be the reason for softness?

pfr6b.jpg

[Humpty's Revenge]

PFR6B 11 are the wrong plugs for a v6 vr4 turbo

They are for a N/A v6 with a gap of 1.1 vr4's should run 0.8 gap

Get iridium bpr6eix if your running standard boost Etc or BPR7EIX if running more boost.

[Reconstructor]

Thanks, Steve. If I put BPR7EIX on stock boost, will it run worse? I'm asking, since I'm on stock now, but planning to increase.

[Humpty's Revenge]

Thanks, Steve. If I put BPR7EIX on stock boost, will it run worse? I'm asking, since I'm on stock now, but planning to increase.

No worries & nope won't run any different as I run the 7's in mine on stock for awhile until I upped the boost.

[Reconstructor]

BPR7EIX - 4055
This is the correct one, right?

[wintertidenz]

You are running the wrong kind of plugs. For a standard VR-4 running stock boost you need BKR6EIX or PFR6J. The 7 range is for higher boost.

Make sure they are the right plugs otherwise you may have unpredictable issues.

[Humpty's Revenge]

You are running the wrong kind of plugs. For a standard VR-4 running stock boost you need BKR6EIX or PFR6J. The 7 range is for higher boost.

Make sure they are the right plugs otherwise you may have unpredictable issues.

I've run BPR7EIX with standard boost with no ill effects, please explain unpredictable issues running a slightly colder plug ??

[wintertidenz]

I am meaning running a BPR or 6B plug instead of the correct BKR or 6J. The codes of the plugs look similar but they change things like the length of the threads etc so you are really best making sure they are right.