Zer0d Posted May 2, 2007 Share Posted May 2, 2007 I haven't really posted in a while. Mainly due to work and family issues. I think I've isolated part of my performance problem. The wastegate, I do believe it's quite stuck. I can't get it to move with the car running or not. Feels like it's cemented in place. I was wondering what my options were. Is it possible to unbolt the turbo and un-stick the waste gate myself? Or is it better to see if I can take it in and have it done? Right now money is real tight and I want to get it taken care of asap (and for as cheap as possible). For those that don't remember, some time ago my car developed a knock. It sounded like it had weight behind it and I had a drop in power. The knock sounded like it came from the tranny area and would sound off on a hard left and quiet down on a sharp right turn. Then there was the lack in power. Now I had just before that point attached a temp exhaust system (from where the cat fell off back) at which point it sounded a bit better and drove just fine from before. Sorry if I haven't given enough information or even given too much. I'm not a mechanic per se, and with turbo set up's I'm even newer. So I mostly play by ear. Thanks in advance for any help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloyale Posted May 2, 2007 Share Posted May 2, 2007 I haven't really posted in a while. Mainly due to work and family issues. I think I've isolated part of my performance problem. The wastegate, I do believe it's quite stuck. I can't get it to move with the car running or not. Feels like it's cemented in place. I was wondering what my options were. Is it possible to unbolt the turbo and un-stick the waste gate myself? Or is it better to see if I can take it in and have it done? Right now money is real tight and I want to get it taken care of asap (and for as cheap as possible). For those that don't remember, some time ago my car developed a knock. It sounded like it had weight behind it and I had a drop in power. The knock sounded like it came from the tranny area and would sound off on a hard left and quiet down on a sharp right turn. Then there was the lack in power. Now I had just before that point attached a temp exhaust system (from where the cat fell off back) at which point it sounded a bit better and drove just fine from before. Sorry if I haven't given enough information or even given too much. I'm not a mechanic per se, and with turbo set up's I'm even newer. So I mostly play by ear. Thanks in advance for any help! How are you testing the wastegate? It is very hard to mve by hand. Remeber too that the diaphram *pushes* the wastegate lever, not pulls. Grab the lever with some pliers, and see if you can pivot it that way. If not then it is stuck. That would be rare. Sometimes the wastegate won't work if the diaphram has blown. It should be tested by applying compressed air to the diaphram.IMPORTANT-NO MORE THAN 10psi. With compressed air applied, the diaphram should push the wasgate open. Alternately a basic test would be to remove the hose from diaphram, plug the opening with your finger, and the move the lever out with pliers. You should feel vaccum pull on your finger. If none, then you're wastegate diaphram is blown. The symptoms you're describing don't sound much like the turbo however. Sound like you may have a rod knock. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zer0d Posted May 2, 2007 Author Share Posted May 2, 2007 Tried pliers, under what should be near boost conditions (just a smidgen under 3k) Pushing with pliers. I can't get any motion out of it, pushing or pulling. As for the knock, that I'm not sure about, unless rod knock is conditional in flat fours. 1000 - 3000 rpms just normal driving sounds fine, more or less. The knock seems to be rpm/speed based (CV?), but sounds much closer than the engine. I'll go disconnect the hose from the diaphram and see if I can move it that way, but at this point it doesn't look like it'll work too well. EDIT:// Just tried the hose disconnect and still got nothing. I'll see if I can get it to move under low pressure (Don't have any type of pumps/compressors around me currently) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloyale Posted May 2, 2007 Share Posted May 2, 2007 The knock seems to be rpm/speed based, but sounds much closer than the engine. Which is it? engine RPMS, or vehicle speed. If the sound corresponds to vehichle speed, and sounds closer than the engine, it may be you're CV joint in the axle. Just a guess. BTW. Just revving in neutral, the turbo won't reall yput out boost because there is no heavy load to really pressurize the exhaust. You should be able to get that wastegate to pivot one way or the other. Perhaps disconnect the little clip holding the Diaphram rod to the lever. Then the wastegate lever should flop freely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Turbone Posted May 2, 2007 Share Posted May 2, 2007 The wastegate is designed to operate after 7psi is reached. It opens the exhaust port of the turbo to cat, to let excess pressure out. Usually a part that doesnt fail. If your having performance problems, it could be that the cat is plugged. Try disconnecting the downpipe (loosely) and see if it runs any better. I dont suggest driving around like this, it will be quite loud. The knocking certainly sounds like a bad CV. Look at both ends of your axles to see if the boots are torn. Usually pretty obvious as they will throw grease all over the place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zer0d Posted May 2, 2007 Author Share Posted May 2, 2007 @gloyale: Sorry if I wasn't clear on the knocking, it seemed to be go by how fast i was moving. I'll see about removing the pin in a bit. @turbone: As far as I know, I currently have no cat (previously rusted off and removed by previous owner), Unless I'm mistaking my downpipe for something else. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloyale Posted May 2, 2007 Share Posted May 2, 2007 @gloyale: Sorry if I wasn't clear on the knocking, it seemed to be go by how fast i was moving. I'll see about removing the pin in a bit. If it is relative to vehicle speed then it is probably your CV joint. It could be something else in the trans too(unlikely), but if it corresponds to Vehicle speed not Engine RPMs it is in the drivetrain, not the engine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zer0d Posted May 2, 2007 Author Share Posted May 2, 2007 Yeah, got to digging, the sleev around the CV is completely shot. One problem down. Did some wrenching on things, the arm from the diaphram was stuck. A small twist and it moved freely again (well as free as a hard to move diaphram gets) bolted her back up, re-attached the lines. Bam, engine is running smoother, no more black/blue exhaust and she seems to have her spunk back. Gonna go for a test drive real quick. If it seems like i'm just too stupid to try easy fixes, it's cuz i'm going forward with extreme caution. Dun wanna break anything Thanks for the help so far guys. EDIT:// She runs again, nearly PERFECT this time around. Before I had some flutter around 4500 rpms, GONE! Boost? smooth and constant! and she's a bit quieter too. Though I've made an interesting discovery (been nearly 3 or four weeks since i last touched my coupe) the knock isn't really dependant on engine speed, and increases with road speed, but the knock is persistant (regardless of rpm) while sitting /coasting. 1000 -> 5000 = constant knock when not in gear and stopped. while rolling the knock is faster. Weird. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gloyale Posted May 2, 2007 Share Posted May 2, 2007 Yeah, If that gate was stuck closed, you'd be getting WAY too much boost. So much you'd be ruinning lean, and possibly damaging the pistons/cylinders and risking a headgasket blowout. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now