legacycentral bbs

I've notice that after driving for a while in city traffic with the car fully warmed up, I stop hearing the turbo spool up and the subsequent lack of boost in power. I'm currently using a Joe P mechanical so I'm sure it's not the controller. Could the BOV be stuck open when warm? What else could be causing the problem?

It may not be what you want to hear but GET A BOOST GAUGE! You shouldnt even be messing with your boost without one! Who knows how high the boost is spiking. Do you have an intercooler?

Got a boost gauge. Boost is set to approx 8psi when working properly. No intercooler.

What do the boost levels look like when you're having problems?

Thats good then. From your post it seemed you didnt. Why are you listening to the turbo when the gauge can tell you exactly whats going on?

The gauge pretty much bounces around 0 under load or maybe 1-2 psi under load.

I figure the fact that I don't hear the turbo spool up might be more descriptive than if I were to just say I wasn't gettting boost. BTW the turbo was just remaned last year. Ciper, where do you get your car serviced?

I do it all myself. Unless its brake bleeding or transmission fluid because Id rather pay someone to do it.

If your looking for a good shop in the area I have one recomendation. Good price ,great service and they used to be subaru/toyota only!

MAP

I let them work on my car when I get too busy (which isnt often) but everytime I have been happy.

Legacy777: edited url so it doesn't expand post width

Well, maybe the first thing to try is removing the boost controller. Just connect the compressor outlet nipple directly to the wastegate actuator nipple. Then see what happens.

If the boost stays at 6psi that way, the boost controller is at fault. If not, I'd suspect a boost leak somewhere in your piping.

I pulled the hoses connecting the boost controller last night and there was large quantities of oil in the hoses. I then pulled the big hose on the intake side and there is a ton of oil in there. I know there is suppose to be oil on the intake side but is it suppose to be that much? I think the oil is probably affecting the operation of the mechanical boost controller.

The oil does accumulate, so after a long time you will get lots of oil. It's also possible (though I hope it's not the case!) that something is leaking excessive oil into the intake.

I can't think of why some oily mist in the air would make a ball-and-spring boost controller block up only when warm though.

The only way for a ball-and-spring boost controller like the Joe P one to prevent you from making boost is for the little tiny bleed at the outlet to get firmly clogged up. That would make it act as a check valve, holding the wastegate open. Maybe check that bleed (it's probably just a tiny hole drilled into the outlet barb or something).

It's more likely to be a boost leak in my opinion though.