Checklist for Install

These items are an attempt to determine, in the most efficient order, checks that must be made in order to ensure a successful installation of an Aquatune System.

1. Baseline the mileage. If the customer can do this prior to installation, all the better. In any event, it is well to test drive the vehicle with the customer present. This will help determine the state of tune of the engine and show up any driveability problems. Driveability problems need to be fixed before the install. An Aquatune International system will not work a miracle on a sick engine or one badly needing a tune-up. Check the usual things like Cap and Rotor (on older engines) and Ignition Wires/Sparkplugs and 02 sensors on all engines..
2. Do a compression check and compare these to the factory specs on any engine that is more than 3 years old, has more than 60K miles on it, or is otherwise suspect for burned valves. The AquaTune system will purge carbon from the combustion chamber after 800 to 1,000 miles, keeping it clean, so low compression after that indicates a deeper problem. DO NOT use platinum plugs or sparkplugs with platinum components. Use Copper or Iridium sparkplugs with as high a heat range allowed for your engine. Also, remember that premium fuel will not be needed with an Aquatune International system in place.
3. The thermostat should be the hottest rating possible for the engine. Check specifications for each engine or otherwise use the highest temp thermostat available. 195 to 200 degrees is optimal. Be sure that cooling system hoses and general cooling system condition, including antifreeze, both Summer and Winter, is up to the task. In general an engine that runs warmer is more efficient. This is, even more, the case with an Aquatune International system since this system will cause your vehicle to run cooler, your overall engine temperature is also cooler even with a Higher heat range thermostat.
4. Important! One of the most overlooked items of computer-controlled vehicles is the Coolant Temp Sensor for the computer because this gives the proper temperature reading to the computer. Some of the indications of failure are a long, prolonged, crank- time of the engine before it starts, this can be a cold or hot start; black soot build-up in the tailpipe; a higher than average exhaust odors. Along with the O2 sensor, these are the two most important items to check along with the thermostat.
5. Check Air Filter and Fuel Filter.
6. Check Oxygen Sensor it (should usually be replaced every 60K or 6 years ) and determine if it is working to specs this sensor needs to be OEM, no exception.
7. Check Charcoal Canister/ Fuel Vapor Recovery System, and EGR System to ensure it is not throwing off O2 sensor readings, or vacuum leaking. Also, check PCV valve, any other vacuum hoses, and an exhaust leak, especially upstream of O2 sensors.
8. On Fuel Injected engines, check fuel regulator for internal leaks and weakness. Give some thought to the condition of the fuel injectors. Cleaning or replacing if needed can mean extra economy and a better result.
9. Location within the engine compartment is very important. The most important things to remember are
   a) Keep the system, water tank, and hoses away from hot exhaust manifold and pipes.
   b) Make sure that the water tank is lower than the main unit to prevent siphoning of water into engine.
   c) The optimum length of tubing coming from unit output to intake manifold is 7-8 inches or less.
   d) Choose an input to manifold vacuum point that will optimize the distribution of water vapor charge throughout the manifold to all the cylinders (our install kits help you with this part). And always follow the instructions.
10. Optimal ignition timing is crucial to get optimal performance. Timing is suggested to be advanced by 7 degrees or so, from factory specifications (on older non-auto timing advance engines). NOTE: Computer-controlled ignitions will often not have a way to manually set advance and will advance according to computer control.
11. Check tire pressure, as much as 3 mpg may be lost there. Also be aware that A/C operation will affect mileage. Freespin each wheel to check for brake rotor warp and slightly dragging brakes, another easy checkup and can cost up to 3 mpg.
12. The three main benefits of an Aquatune International system are: better mileage, more power, and drastically reduced exhaust emission levels, which means a healthier engine, with fewer longevity and drivability issues. Be sure to note the importance of using ONLY distilled water in the system, and of using methanol 15% to 50% mix by volume where there is a chance of freezing, this mix ratio is good down to 23 F, 35/ 65 by volume ratio is good to -15 F, for the best cost to mile traveled use only enough to keep the water from freezing. For a strictly performance boost up to 50/50 mix ratio can be run and the injection rate increased, this mixture protects from freezing down to -56F. This practice also does not support any significant mileage gains for obvious reasons.