easternpiro1

#1

Hi all, was wondering if i can get some feedback on something i was missing. here's the story:

recently a friend and I fixed a leak due to stripped thread in the head causing a leak between the exhaust manifold and block.

after rethreading and putting everything back togehter leak is gone BUT now im seeing much lower boost numbers after taking it for a drive.

I own an AEM tru boost controler/gauge and the boost is currently set to stock wastegate pressure (8psi) and consistently held this pressure PRIOR to fixing the exhaust leak.

as of today, my first drive out, my car would not pull past 5psi and touched 6psi BRIEFLY. I double checked my IC piping and adjusted and retightened.

when i went back out the car would only boost up to 4-5 psi adn sometimes as low as 2-3 max.



Im pretty sure its a leak somewhere but it can only be one place as the only IC piping that was removed was the piping coming from the turbo (charge side) i have checked and double checked it.

is there something im missing? any helpful hints would be appreciated! thanks!

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QUOTE (Galcobar @ Oct 15, 2008 - 2:44 AM)You want power but have no money. That's a problem.Cheap. Reliable. Fast. Pick two.

bsamps4

#2

Have you tried to readjust the true boost?

easternpiro1

#3

nah the lines coming from the tru boost are not hooked onto the wastegate and turbo yet. i have still been running it on the wastegate until i got the exhaust leak taken care of.



This post has been edited by easternpiro1: Apr 28, 2012 - 4:19 PM

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QUOTE (Galcobar @ Oct 15, 2008 - 2:44 AM)You want power but have no money. That's a problem.Cheap. Reliable. Fast. Pick two.

bsamps4

#4

Reconnect sir.

easternpiro1

#5

>

QUOTE (bsamps4 @ Apr 28, 2012 - 5:22 PM)

>Reconnect sir.

its never been connected to the tru boost. its always been wastegate i may have overlooked piping closer to the intercooler, will check that. it couldnt be anything else because nothing else was taken off except the turbo/manifold

i want to hook the trueboost up, but if its not acting right on just wastegate pressure, im afraid upping the boost will only make matters worse?

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QUOTE (Galcobar @ Oct 15, 2008 - 2:44 AM)You want power but have no money. That's a problem.Cheap. Reliable. Fast. Pick two.

presure2

#6

build a boost leak tester, bro, theres gotta be a leak somewhere.

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Former Team 5SFTE pro member ;)13.6@108MPH, 5SFTE Powered

easternpiro1

#7

Yeah, its pretty sporadic. im going to have to go to lowes this week....


http://youtu.be/atretf9u-Mc

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QUOTE (Galcobar @ Oct 15, 2008 - 2:44 AM)You want power but have no money. That's a problem.Cheap. Reliable. Fast. Pick two.

TannerEsser

#8

bad boost controller? like a bad spring

easternpiro1

#9

>

QUOTE (TannerEsser @ May 1, 2012 - 11:58 AM)

>bad boost controller? like a bad spring

nah, couldnt be, its brand new, and this only started happening after i removed the charge piping to take care of a stripped bolt on exhaust manifold

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QUOTE (Galcobar @ Oct 15, 2008 - 2:44 AM)You want power but have no money. That's a problem.Cheap. Reliable. Fast. Pick two.

TannerEsser

#10

>

QUOTE (easternpiro1 @ May 2, 2012 - 12:02 AM)

>>

QUOTE (TannerEsser @ May 1, 2012 - 11:58 AM)

>bad boost controller? like a bad spring

nah, couldnt be, its brand new, and this only started happening after i removed the charge piping to take care of a stripped bolt on exhaust manifold

open waist gate or bov?

playr158

#11

yea i'd vote that wastegate is blowing open or is stuck open

easternpiro1

#12

hmmm. im about to ask a silly question... how do i get it unstuck?


I tightened down the piping again to be sure, took it for a drive, and NOW it wont build boost AT ALL. i only took the car to the end of the street, but i could tell after only getting on it up to 3000rpms in 2nd gear that it wasnt acting right... hell i could tell by the vac on the gauge (reading at 16-15)


def making that boost leak tester today or this weekend when i can get the chance. this is craziness lol.

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QUOTE (Galcobar @ Oct 15, 2008 - 2:44 AM)You want power but have no money. That's a problem.Cheap. Reliable. Fast. Pick two.

easternpiro1

#13

hmmm. im about to ask a silly question... how do i get it unstuck?


I tightened down the piping again to be sure, took it for a drive, and NOW it wont build boost AT ALL. i only took the car to the end of the street, but i could tell after only getting on it up to 3000rpms in 2nd gear that it wasnt acting right... hell i could tell by the vac on the gauge (reading at 16-15)


def making that boost leak tester today or this weekend when i can get the chance. this is craziness lol.

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QUOTE (Galcobar @ Oct 15, 2008 - 2:44 AM)You want power but have no money. That's a problem.Cheap. Reliable. Fast. Pick two.

playr158

#14

You take the downpipe off and you'll be able to see it. sometimes you'll need to replace the wastegate actuator (if that is causing it)
or it might be getting stuck on the downpipe flange (i believe i recall this happening on 3sgtes with an aftermarket downpipe, but that recollection is from years ago)

it really depends why its stuck open as to how you unstick it.

easternpiro1

#15

>

QUOTE (playr158 @ May 3, 2012 - 3:48 PM)

>You take the downpipe off and you'll be able to see it. sometimes you'll need to replace the wastegate actuator (if that is causing it)
or it might be getting stuck on the downpipe flange (i believe i recall this happening on 3sgtes with an aftermarket downpipe, but that recollection is from years ago)

it really depends why its stuck open as to how you unstick it.

hmmm i will def check that out too this weekend! I just bought materials for the boost leak tester, I FAILED by buying a pipe drain cap that was too big lolz going back to lowes tomorro

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QUOTE (Galcobar @ Oct 15, 2008 - 2:44 AM)You want power but have no money. That's a problem.Cheap. Reliable. Fast. Pick two.

easternpiro1

#16

HEY, didnt get to pressure test it yet, BUT readjusted some more piping, and a friend noticed that my wastegate line was a little crooked, after adjusting it, it boosted better initally, but went right back to NO boost at all. going to try to test today or tomorrow, it MAY be a bad wastegate... its moving but the diaphram on inside may be messed up

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QUOTE (Galcobar @ Oct 15, 2008 - 2:44 AM)You want power but have no money. That's a problem.Cheap. Reliable. Fast. Pick two.

easternpiro1

#17

HEY, didnt get to pressure test it yet, BUT readjusted some more piping, and a friend noticed that my wastegate line was a little crooked, after adjusting it, it boosted better initally, but went right back to NO boost at all. going to try to test today or tomorrow, it MAY be a bad wastegate... its moving but the diaphram on inside may be messed up

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QUOTE (Galcobar @ Oct 15, 2008 - 2:44 AM)You want power but have no money. That's a problem.Cheap. Reliable. Fast. Pick two.

sean530sly

#18

any plug wires get damaged during maintenance? (slightly) pulled out from the connector?

easternpiro1

#19

I dont think so. I dont have any wires, its coil on plug. its really weird. the BOV wont go off, indicating a leak BEFORE the Throttle body i suppose? im really hoping its not turbo related. but more and more its seeming like it.

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QUOTE (Galcobar @ Oct 15, 2008 - 2:44 AM)You want power but have no money. That's a problem.Cheap. Reliable. Fast. Pick two.

easternpiro1

#20

OOOKAY. I took apart ALL of my IC Piping, cut larger diameter holes for the charge piping and cold piping to go through, as it was rubbing, and used my nifty boost leak tester to find any leaks in the system.


I heard no air escaping from the lines which led my friend to believe that my blow off valve is probably leaking (hence the stuttering and NO boost being built under load) I have a TIAL Q. I will be trying a heavier spring, and HOPEFULLY that will fix the problem... I'll be saying my prayers extra hard lol.

if its not the BOV, my attention will FULLY be turned to the wastegate possibly being stuck open (which we believe may not be likely due to the fact that after preloading it, it built up to 8 psi as hoped, then dropped later.


UGH.

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QUOTE (Galcobar @ Oct 15, 2008 - 2:44 AM)You want power but have no money. That's a problem.Cheap. Reliable. Fast. Pick two.

lagos

#21

Are they knock-off ebay parts or the real deal that you are using?

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15PSI - 30MPG - Megasquirt Tuned

easternpiro1

#22

my couplers are from vibrant performance, and I believe my pipes are as well. My blow off is the real deal Tial Q, hopefully putting another spring in there will help (A friend has some lying around) from what ive read on Tial's spring settings, i need an 10 or 11psi spring as the 3ssgte vac ranges from 18-20.

does that vaccum reading sound correct? I remember it always reading about 19 or 20 on the ninja turtle 1. and it was about 18 before taking the manifold off IIRC.

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QUOTE (Galcobar @ Oct 15, 2008 - 2:44 AM)You want power but have no money. That's a problem.Cheap. Reliable. Fast. Pick two.

easternpiro1

#23

took off BOV (tial Q) and shimmed it to strenghten the spring, as it was opening under idle.

took off downpipe and inspected wastegate flap which would stick open a little when we played with the actuator rod, adjusted it a little bit, and took it for a ride.

Unfortunately STILL no boost is being made. I have an extra wastegate from a ct20B hopefully we can test that one and the one currently on the car further.

my next step will be taking the cap off of the top of the wastegate and switching it with the line running from the turbo which is now hooked to the line at the bottom of the wastegate.

I cant believe just threading the head could cause all of this foolishness....


also checked the hot side of turbo no shaft play, and it spins freely.

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QUOTE (Galcobar @ Oct 15, 2008 - 2:44 AM)You want power but have no money. That's a problem.Cheap. Reliable. Fast. Pick two.

easternpiro1

#24

>

QUOTE (playr158 @ May 3, 2012 - 4:48 PM)

>You take the downpipe off and you'll be able to see it. sometimes you'll need to replace the wastegate actuator (if that is causing it)
or it might be getting stuck on the downpipe flange (i believe i recall this happening on 3sgtes with an aftermarket downpipe, but that recollection is from years ago)

it really depends why its stuck open as to how you unstick it.

hey guys, brief update....

cam (boosted185/phoenixtech) came up to visit for a drift event, and we talked about the problem, and he noticed that the w/g rod was actually bent a bit, (as suspected). he suggested replacing and all would be well!

here's the WEIRD part....


while i was at a light I ran out of my car to engage in random foolishness, but to make a long story short, i did a wheelhopping burnout, and then i noticed that my boost kicked in. apparently the vibration shook something loose, causing the w/g to free up a bit I suppose.


WEIRD o.O im still not satisfied with the consistency of the boost (will only hit 6.5psi instead of high7's) which means the w/g is still open partially but im glad i know exactly what it is, however not the question is how to go about unsticking it (as was stated above)


the w/g isnt getting hung up on anything so i guess it was just acting "weird". I have no idea why

thanks for the help! everyone!

This post has been edited by easternpiro1: May 27, 2012 - 7:15 AM

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QUOTE (Galcobar @ Oct 15, 2008 - 2:44 AM)You want power but have no money. That's a problem.Cheap. Reliable. Fast. Pick two.

malecrod

#25

Matt, is your turbo clocked? If it is, make sure the plate holding the wastegate is not flexing/moving when you boost.

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3sgteing...burns twice as bright, lasts half as long."The weight of the world is love. Under the burden of solitude, under the burden of dissatisfaction."-Allen Ginsberg-

easternpiro1

#26

actually no, its still in its stock position, it was boosting ok yesterday, then this morning when i was driving, it wouldnt go into boost again, at first it went to 5psi, then eventually back down to 0psi. going to see if anyone has a ct20b wastegate, I will also try to fiddle around with the rod. Just not sure exactly which direction to go. really trying to avoid buying another one

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QUOTE (Galcobar @ Oct 15, 2008 - 2:44 AM)You want power but have no money. That's a problem.Cheap. Reliable. Fast. Pick two.

bsamps4

#27

Are you still using the stock VSV?

easternpiro1

#28

yeah stock VSV still in place

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QUOTE (Galcobar @ Oct 15, 2008 - 2:44 AM)You want power but have no money. That's a problem.Cheap. Reliable. Fast. Pick two.

PhoenixTech

#29

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QUOTE (easternpiro1 @ May 28, 2012 - 9:16 PM)

>yeah stock VSV still in place

No it's not. The VSV was eliminated when you went to the Tru-Boost.

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www.tweakdperformance.comsales@tweakdperformance.com

easternpiro1

#30

>

QUOTE (PhoenixTech @ May 31, 2012 - 2:31 PM)

>>

QUOTE (easternpiro1 @ May 28, 2012 - 9:16 PM)

>yeah stock VSV still in place

No it's not. The VSV was eliminated when you went to the Tru-Boost.

thats right, i confused it with something else. thanks cam!

quick update, the car is still not building boost, tested the wastegate and it would not hold vaccum. SO I used my BACKUP wastegate off my old ct20b, would be my luck that that one didnt work either so a good friend of mine made a custom bracket for me and made some snazzy welding mods to a new rod and we came up with this:




these are the old wastegates:





took the car out for a drive and it held to 3lbs then eventually dropped, and would not build boost at all eventually. got some advice and im inclined to believe that the turbo has gone bad. i have NO idea how it could have gone bad as it worked fine before.

This post has been edited by easternpiro1: Jun 5, 2012 - 8:13 PM

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QUOTE (Galcobar @ Oct 15, 2008 - 2:44 AM)You want power but have no money. That's a problem.Cheap. Reliable. Fast. Pick two.