Just got off the phone with the guy doing my new exhaust. He said that after hearing the car with no exhaust, the turbo boost didnt sound good at all. Since this guy has done some work on RXs before, and is one of the best custom exhaust manufacturers in Athens, I guess I should pay notice to what he says.

So, he says that if I had noticed any drop in performance (which I have, although I can still boost up to 400mmHg in 4th and 5th), then it sounds to him as though the turbine or the wastegate need some work. None of them is shot (I can still boost quite nicely, and I can definitely hear/notice the wastegate and the BOV), but they may need some work.

What are your thoughts guys ? Anyone had the same experience ?

 

Has anyone actually looked at the turbo? Or is he just guessing? It's pretty easy to tell when they are dead (shaft play, odd noises, lack of boost).

 

Nope, he didnt look at the turbo itself, just from experience (he has been working on and racing cars for more than 20 years). He told me that he doesnt think that the turbo is shot, just that the wastegate is very "weak", ie it's spring is rather soft, and thus is not able to build and hold boost fast and reliably....

Anyway, I'm due for my 100K km service next week, so I'll be looking into that as well anyway...

 

Well, if that's the case, simply replace the wastegate actuator. Pretty easy to find from parts cars (lots of people have them since they upgraded their turbos).

 

Has anyone replaced the actuator without removing the turbo? Looks like you would have to remove an oil or coolant line.

 

My mechanic told me my turbo was going, and he was just riding in the car with me lol.
The car was still boosting fine (10psi) and holding it, but it did feel weaker.

A couple weeks later it went...lucky geuss? who knows?

 

Test the wastegate actuator with compressed air. The flap shouldn't start to move until the actuator sees ~5psi.

 

I can't believe people can tell the wastegate is shot just be listening to the exhaust.
There are many things that can affect the exhaust note, and having the fuel too rich / lean and / or the timing off can affect sound.
This sounds like utter bullshit to blame the wastegate.
The stock turbo wastegate rarely fails.
It sounds like shops are trying to charge unnecessarily to unsuspecting victims?


-Ted