Intermittent boost

Intermittent boost

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Discussion

The devil

Original Poster:

2,141 posts

190 months

Saturday 22nd August 2015
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Hi guys,
I wrote recently saying that I had lost boost, strangely it came back, today, its gone away on holiday.

I checked the actuators and they seem to push back OK with some amount of pressure and still no boost. they are definitely still connected and the little cir clip has not rotted away.

All the pipes seem OK and I'm guessing that would not be the problem anyway as the boost went and came back. I'm a little at a loss.

Any ideas gratefully received

Andy

Blu3R

2,379 posts

206 months

Saturday 22nd August 2015
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No boost at all? As in zero, or just reduced?

The devil

Original Poster:

2,141 posts

190 months

Saturday 22nd August 2015
quotequote all
Only up to zero

andygtt

8,345 posts

271 months

Saturday 22nd August 2015
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ok so you have zero boost... That rules out the air temp sensor as it would only cut to waste gate so 0.3.

Fact it came back is strange, as it really sounds like you have a leak, but that wouldn't usually be as intermittent.

Does the car attempt to make any boost at all even for the briefest moment, or it simply just flat?

Blu3R

2,379 posts

206 months

Sunday 23rd August 2015
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Do you have a dump valve?

The devil

Original Poster:

2,141 posts

190 months

Sunday 23rd August 2015
quotequote all
No dump valve
the boost needle does move from less than zero up to zero when you put your foot down

AMG Merc

11,954 posts

260 months

Sunday 23rd August 2015
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Possibly actuators? Not sure you can test them conclusively like that.

The devil

Original Poster:

2,141 posts

190 months

Sunday 23rd August 2015
quotequote all
with the actuators in the rest position are the waste gates open or shut

AMG Merc

11,954 posts

260 months

Sunday 23rd August 2015
quotequote all
The devil said:
with the actuators in the rest position are the waste gates open or shut
Shut I think.

The devil

Original Poster:

2,141 posts

190 months

Sunday 23rd August 2015
quotequote all
Where is the boost pressure measured

Green3R

400 posts

255 months

Monday 24th August 2015
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Thoughts;

Wastegate spring is faulty, or the wastegate actuator is sticky (stuck open)?
Are the gates fully shut- ie are the actuators pushing on the gates to keep them hard shut?

Maybe a big enough exhaust leak would prevent boost from building, but you'd probably notice a leak big enough to cause it.

Finally, does it feel down on power. I know it sounds obvious, but if it feels ok then maybe the gauge is faulty or the pipe to it is kinked!
(pretty sure it's air operated not electric?).


Edited by Green3R on Monday 24th August 13:42

Blu3R

2,379 posts

206 months

Monday 24th August 2015
quotequote all
My view is that you have an air leak somewhere. I know that doesn't explain why it went away and then came back but that's the simplest check to do first. Inspect the plastic inlet manifold as they've been known to crack and blow holes out and the intercooler can spring a leak too so look around the welded seams for gaping holes.
If you're absolutely certain you don't have a huge leak then check the actuators by attaching the big li-lo valve thingy to a bike pump and inflating the diaphragm of each actuator. You only need 0.3Bar to operate a standard actuator and up to 0.7 for uprated versions so don't go pumping it like the wife's been away for a fortnight or you won't have a happy ending.
If you're still drawing a blank then I have heard stories of wastegate pennies rattling themselves from their mountings but again doesn't really explain the gone-back-gone situation.

The devil

Original Poster:

2,141 posts

190 months

Monday 24th August 2015
quotequote all
Well down on power
I've checked all pipes, pulled the pipe off the boost controller but don't really know what to expect pumping it with a bike pump, nothing happens

AMG Merc

11,954 posts

260 months

Monday 24th August 2015
quotequote all
Can't you get it over to MV or Bespoke for a look-see?

The devil

Original Poster:

2,141 posts

190 months

Monday 24th August 2015
quotequote all
Just spoke to Martin at Bespoke, working late again, dropping it down there tomorrow
Thanks for all suggestions
Luckily Bespoke is only 2 miles away

The devil

Original Poster:

2,141 posts

190 months

Tuesday 25th August 2015
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Well, Skip found it, front turbo seized solid