2022 2.3L Getting Sluggish

[Brian_B]

Do we know whether these engines are a type that "learn" driver behavior? I thought I remembered reading somewhere that some engines start anticipating what you're going to ask for when you do certain things, and tune themselves accordingly to e.g. reduce emissions or fuel consumption. Since you're driving stick, it obviously isn't the transmission doing anticipatory shifting and power modulation, but perhaps it's gating the throttle somewhat for some other reason. You could also try Baja mode with some manual adjustments to off-road settings.

I find in mine that in "standard" mode, I need to goose the throttle quite a bit when starting out, or it looses too much power getting going as the clutch comes out.

The engines have a bit of memory for octane/knock - but that doesnt really affect driving

The transmission has adaptive learning which can adjust shift points over time; that is significant enough that I can notice if someone else takes it for a drive to the store and back that it has adjusted.

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[Brian_B]

If you do use a fuel additive - I recommend a bottle of Chevron Techron....I will dump one into the tank at oil change interval.

Won’t do any good on the older Direct Injection 2.3 - fuel additives never touch the valves. If you want to try a cleaning product it has to be an aerosol through the air intake while running, or take it apart and blast it

 

[Area51BS]

The engines have a bit of memory for octane/knock - but that doesnt really affect driving

The transmission has adaptive learning which can adjust shift points over time; that is significant enough that I can notice if someone else takes it for a drive to the store and back that it has adjusted.

Can’t stand this feature. Soon after leaving the lot and get some miles they never feel the same.

 

[fuesting]

I'm a big NGK plug fan, and 70k on any turbo engine is probably overdue for plugs.

I don't have a 2.3 in front of me, but looking at this pic I found, the hose on the intake manifold at cylinder 4 looks like it can be removed.

Look inside that hole with an endoscope/inspection camera (cheap on Amazon and insanely useful) and you can probably see the intake valves.

Thanks much man. I have a bore scope. That looks easy enough. Going to replace the plugs regardless. I'm the kind of person that doesn't mind taking something on with the right guidance. Thanks

 

[Smocaine]

Can’t stand this feature. Soon after leaving the lot and get some miles they never feel the same.

If you don't like how your automatic transmission shifts, you could always do it yourself

I would have said air filter if you didn't do it already. Maybe it's just a placebo but I always feel like I have a bit more jam after getting rid of a well-used filter.

 

[ScottyC]

Won’t do any good on the older Direct Injection 2.3 - fuel additives never touch the valves. If you want to try a cleaning product it has to be an aerosol through the air intake while running, or take it apart and blast it

Something is better than nothing

 

[contented]

This is what they look like at about 40k miles. New plugs changed the sound and the idle for the better, ie quieter and smoother.

 

[userdude]

Those would be the next best option.
Probably the best plug that’s one step colder. Just not really sure it’s needed for a non-tuned engine, but that’s up to you. It won’t hurt anything.

I have these in my 2.7

Edit: Nevermind, I have the LTR7BHX, which are one step colder.

Is there any justification for colder plugs if I'm running the milder FP tune on the 2.3?

 

[Brian_B]

Is there any justification for colder plugs if I'm running the milder FP tune on the 2.3?

It won’t hurt. But no specific advantage really. I got a set from Lethal when they were running a sale and got two sets for like $50

 

[brkdncr]

Won’t do any good on the older Direct Injection 2.3 - fuel additives never touch the valves. If you want to try a cleaning product it has to be an aerosol through the air intake while running, or take it apart and blast it

You’re right in that Techron is less effective on DI-only engines, but it also helps maintain the fuel delivery system. Primarily protecting against the long term effects of ethanol.

 

[Ducati1098]

Is there any justification for colder plugs if I'm running the milder FP tune on the 2.3?

Nah the stock ones will be more than adequate.
IMO you really only need to go one step colder if you have a custom tune and start pushing things quite a bit harder.

 

[userdude]

Nah the stock ones will be more than adequate.
IMO you really only need to go one step colder if you have a custom tune and start pushing things quite a bit harder.

Well, if I'm pushing it seems like spark plugs might not matter...

 

[Ducati1098]

Well, if I'm pushing it seems like spark plugs might not matter...

Yeah you got bigger problems at that point lol

 

[Kevin Scarbel]

I have not done either. I feel like the plugs need to get done either way. What would you recommend on the turbo? I'm unsure how to diagnose properly. I will say my main complaint is low end torque, so maybe not the turbo?

I will be changing my plugs every 50,000 miles, as I do in my other gasoline vehicles. They'll function to 100,000, but not at peak from 50,000.

 

[fuesting]

Finally changed mine. Maybe a little improvement in performance or maybe its in my head. I was hoping for more. Will investigate carbon build up on valves. Here are the plugs:

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