no boost

[roadboy]

I'vebeen having problems as of late. Iwas driving one morning and relized I was getting very little boost. Took it in to my mechanic, who figured I jumped a tooth, so said he would rectify that and give it a full tune as well. The timing was fine so he told me my turbo was looking rough, so he sent it for a full rebuild. Finally got it all back together and still no boost. Seems to be running fine, no warning lights, just very little power. I guess its time to start checking all relays and connections. Could this be a vacuum leak somewhere? Any help would be appreciated.

thanks
Brad
89SE

[oharedm]

Brad,
Brad

Have you been scammed here ?

A 89SE should have AC-Delco multipoint fuel injection. All engine paramters, spark timing etc.. are ECU controlled and so there is no such thing as a "tune-up" in the conventional sense.

Why also did you think the boost would return if the belt was changed (I also question the belt story ?). Boost is controlled by the ECU adjusting the wastegate solenoid duty cycle that feeds the turbo wastegate actuator.


Dermot

[B16 RFF]

Chargecooler pump failed? A fairly common problem that can cause a noticeable loss of power, or so I have read. A rebuild kit is available I believe.

Paul.

[cnh1990]

SE tune up=New plugs and maybe new cables.

Dave GT3 and I has been working on the same problem via e-mail. In his case it has been narrowed down to a faulty spring on the wastegate capsule. We are awaiting results of a test for the capsule to confirm.

[daves_gt3]

if the turbo has been sent for a full rebuild then you would presume now the actuator is fine but it is worth checking.

maybe the wastegate solenoid isnt operating or isnt getting the feed to it.pull the connector plug off it. take it for a drive. this should give you your stock setting of the actuator. usually 0.65 bar.

if you want to check the boost you can get from the turbo then just pull the pipe off the actuator and put the solenoid connector back on. take it for a drive. just be careful you dont go into over boost. if you have a boost gauge post back what you get. you should be able to get 0.9 bar at least i think.

dermot and calvin know there esprits very very well. if i cant help im sure they can.

i dont know the exact setup of a 89 se.
is the stock reading of the actuator still 0.65 bar?

id be interested to see what you fine.
keep posting

did it suddenly go or slowly over time?
what sort of boost did you get when it was ok?

dave

>> Edited by daves_gt3 on Friday 1st July 13:32

[roadboy]

Hi again

Tune up was plugs, fluids etc. After I brought it out from winter everything was fine and then one day I was out with the wife for dinner, and while driving back home, tried a passing maneouver and had no boost. Felt quite sluggish, but runs ok. Its a holiday today here in Canada, and I'm spending some needed time with the kids. Will get back to sorting it monday. Keep the thoughts coming, I'll check everything.

[Dr.Hess]

My 89 non-SE did the same thing: No boost after a spirited take off. My turbo was toast, as in the wheel in sideways. I am still battling the turbo, and I can say with confidence, do not let anyone besides John, Marcus, etc. sell you any turbo mods.

On the bright side, I can pull a turbo from getting my tools out of the tool box to the turbo sitting on my bench in 1 hour and 5 minutes.

Things to check when there is no boost:

* Exhaust Back Pressure Valve - wire it open.
* Leaking intake post turbo
* Pull intake hose (the $150 tapered dryer vent hose) and make sure turbo compressor spins, any movement you can put to it with your fingers doesn't make it hit the side and stick, etc.
* Pull exhaust cat pipe and make sure the valve is closed and the turbine spins and the compressor spins when you spin the turbine.

Dr.Hess

[paul c]

Also...
if the bulb for the engine check light is broken,
then the ECU will limit boost without (obviously)
a check light showing on the dash.

Rare, but possible.

[roadboy]

Hi again all.

The chargecooler seems ok. It is cool after a good drive and I have faith in my mechanic that the turbo is now good (he works on a lot of porsche turbos). I will check the wastegate myself on monday. Now that I think of it, when I first got the car, the check engine light came on a couple of times while driving, but quickly disappeared. Hasn't happened in a long time, but I've also had an exhaust leak fixed since it last happened. Can you get to the bulb for the engine light by pulling the binnicle? I'm also in search of a laptop with a seial port before I get freescan since the one I have now cannot be adapted to work or so I have read. I'm getting anxious because I ordered a bov from justin at meanmachine and am excited to get it working. Promised a less fortunate boy my wife knows a ride and I want it to be exciting for him.

P.S: ebpv has been wired open and vacuum plugged.Still worried about exhaust or vacuum leaks

>> Edited by roadboy on Friday 1st July 23:28

[lotusse89]

First thing to check is water temp.

I had an old thermostat that wouldn't reach 82deg C and the ECU won't allow full boost until the water temp is up to 82C.

Travis
Vulcan Grey 89SE
www.lotuscolorado.com/vulcangrey/

[DAVES_GT3]

the ecu bulb had also gone in my gt3 but i found this just dellayed when the turbo kicked in to be honest. i could still get full boost.
but you can get to it by just lifting the binical.
standard push in bulb.
change it anyway. cheap fix.
i recently got freescan. best thing i ever did. you can check your temps then.
and give you any fault codes. you dont have to be an expert to use it either.
lets face it i can use it

dave

[paul c]

DAVES_GT3 said:

i recently got freescan. best thing i ever did. you can check your temps then. and give you any fault codes. you dont have to be an expert to use it either. lets face it i can use it dave

Sound advice.
I can use it too (and my toaster beats me at chess).

[roadboy]

Update

Hi all, well after getting the turbo off again my mechanic found the housing was shot. I'm having no luck. The guys that rebuilt the turbo just bought it, because I refused to pay for it. They said that they thought it would be ok. So I am getting a new turbo direct from Garrett today. I thought about upgrading to a bigger one, but I'm aiming for reliability, and the car is plenty fast as is. Should be back on the road by friday, cross your fingers nothing else acts up. I appreciate all the input.

Thanks
Brad
89SE

[arium]

roadboy said:

So I am getting a new turbo direct from Garrett today.

Would this imply that Garrett sells T3's with the Lotus turbine housing? Or did you just order the compressor housing and a new wheel from them? You may want to hang onto the cast iron chunk until you have the new part in your hands.

Steve

[roadboy]

Hi Steve,

Yes, that is what I am told that Garrett sells direct bolt on units. I will be watching closely on Friday when I pick the car up though now. It was the exhaust housing that was rusted out. I had a choice of another rebuild with a new housing that would take weeks or a new turbo that would take two days. For the minor extra cost at this point, I figured the new one would be the best option. I wish I was a mechanic or at least had a lift and all the tools, I think I could do most of this myself, but as my wife reminds me, I can't have everything all at once.
Thanks steve for the heads up. I will be asking questions when I pick up my car.

Thanks
Brad
89SE

[davejw]

Sorry if I appear dense, but if your car has a CAT this could be the problem, should the CAT have become blocked and is causing too much back pressure. My brother's Sport 350 had just this problem and it turned out to be a clogged CAT.

Cheers,

Dave.