Likely cure? Turbo related question...

[Will]

I seem to have lost boost or increased power at the moment.

Now when I rev it up I can see the wastegate actuator engaging so it is boosting but it's not boosting hard at all, the air intake to the turbo is ok, the manifold is ok, and it drives fine, just not boosting it seems hard enough or properly. The blow off valve is hardly recirculating excess boost pressure so there's something amiss...

Could it be the intercooler pipes? That's the only thing I've got left I can think of - I haven't really checked those...

[Matblack]

I seem to have lost boost or increased power at the moment.

Now when I rev it up I can see the wastegate actuator engaging so it is boosting but it's not boosting hard at all, the air intake to the turbo is ok, the manifold is ok, and it drives fine, just not boosting it seems hard enough or properly. The blow off valve is hardly recirculating excess boost pressure so there's something amiss...

Could it be the intercooler pipes? That's the only thing I've got left I can think of - I haven't really checked those...

Are there any flexible (e.g. rubber) pipes which carry air at negative pressure? One of the issues on the early CooperS was that a pipe which carried negative pressure would flex inward and constrict hence blocking the air from coming in.

MB

[Will]

There are only very short rubber hosing stretches in between the metal pipework - I'm talking a few inches of the stuff. Furthermore it's kevlar lined stuff and can take a LOT of pressure. But it's something to check out for sure. :)

[Dr. Z]

Have you checked to make sure all of the required exhaust gasses are getting to the turbo to spin it up? Could be a cracked or leaking exhaust manifold or something?

[Will]

I think the manifold's ok, but you're right it could be that... from what I can see the back pressure doesn't appear to have dropped off at all. There is still pressure as it is spinning up the turbo - but what makes me suspicious that it might be the intercooler pipes is because the blow off valve doesn't seem to be charging and there is very little load on the turbo... there's a huge rush of air coming into the air filter and that's connected straight to the turbo as you know... so yes it could be the manifold or the intercooler... if it's the manifold that's going to be a PITA to sort out...

I might need Jonny's help over the weekend! :p

[Dr. Z]

Can you not put the whole thing underwater and watch for bubbles? :D

Seriously though, I know there is goin to be an awful lot of noise but can you not have a hunt around with your ears and/or a careful hand to hunt out any hissing etc? If that much air is getting out its GOT to be making some noise somewhere!

I suppose it could also be a gasket blown around the turbo somewhere - check your flanges :D

[kaiowas]

Fit a bigger turbo, that'll fix it :p

[mejinks]

Your turbo sounded poorly to me on the weekend, but I don't know an awful lot about turbos sorry. Haven't you been to the garage that fitted it yet?

[Will]

Had dinner with Jonny yesterday and also spent some time helping me troubleshoot it - it sounds as though it's the turbine that's donald ducked - i..e the side that connects to the exhaust - it's rubbing against the down pipe I think. The compressor side is fine. Either way it probably does mean a new turbo :/ I'll have to see what I can do.

Thanks for your help all. :)

[Jonny69]

Mwahahahah, hope I didn't scre you too much in my 50 year old death trap ;D