Won't Boost!!! Blown Turbo???

[kuuldigs]

I was driving today and my car (92 laser AWD) was running fine and all of a sudden it started stuttering and stumbling when I should make boost. The car won't boost now and the boost gauge needle shakes drastically when I should boost but won't go over 1-2 psi. The car will drive aslong as I stay at low RPMs and don't give it much gas and don't try to boost. Did my turbo go bad or am I having a problem with fuel delivery? I've checked all my vacuum lines and everything is hooked up. The boost is set around 14 PSI but I rarely get on it to boost that high, other than that it's still stock. It idles fine also.

 

[boostedtsi0069]

Boost leak test, check all the ic piping and vaccum lines good luck.

 

[dsmclipse97]

try searching. im pretty sure this question has been answered hundreds of times.

 

[patrarch]

I had this exact symptom awhile back. It turned out that the rubber elbow connecting my stock SMIC to the stock UICP had a big hole ripped in it, so it turned out vacuum (before boost) could still get through without leaking terribly and I could drive it all right, but once boost kicked in it all blew out the hole. Despite how large it was it was really difficult to find. A boost leak test should find it pretty easily, however, I was not in a position I could hook one up at the time. That rubber elbow is the weakest point in the stock intercooler piping and the first place that goes, though. If you're not blowing smoke or anything I really doubt it's anything that has to do with the turbo.

 

[OverBoostinGST]

Check the wastegate acutator arm, its that little "lever type" thing attached to your turbo, mine has a habit of coming off time to time

 

[diablos991]

I agree with a boost leak test. That is most likely your problem.

Also, check your plugs and wires. Make sure that your plugs are gapped to .028-.031

 

[Spoolio]

Also, make sure your oil cap gasket is good and not leaking tons of oil into your spark plug holes. Ive had this problem a few times and made my car run like i blew something up. Check all of your intercooler pipes throughly. Do a boost leak test if you can heres a link to make one yourself and how to conduct the procedure http://www.vfaq.com/mods/ICtester.html


Also i had a problem with my Timing, where i actually hit fuel cut once and blew my timing way out of wack, wouldnt let me boost past 2psi, made my car feel like my turbo was blown when i was trying to boost, it felt really bad get yourself a timing light and try this if you have 40$ and some time

http://www.plymouthlaser.com/timin.htm

 

[spyderturbo007]

If you are concerned about the turbo, pull the intake, check for shaft play and verify that you can spin the wheel by hand.

 

[kuuldigs]

I checked all the intercooler pipes and tightened them all and made sure all the vacuum lines were hooked up. The wastegate actuator arm is hooked up. I've been told that the cat could have collapsed so I am having it removed and a test pipe welded in. Once I get it back I'll see if it runs better, if it doesn't then I will start checking the spark plugs and the gaskets.

 

[1stGenRocks]

if it was sudden like that you probably blew a hole in a coupler. do a real boost leak test tightening couplers doesnt count. a pencil size hole is plenty to make it boost horribly but isnt always visible.

to the guy who's wastegate arm keeps coming unhooked. you know theres a hole through the arm for a small cotter pin right?

 

[MaxPSITalon]

i had a very similar problem. I changed the Mass air sensor and it took care of it. if u have an extra try that. there is one in the classifieds for like 50 bucks.

 

[Spoolio]

Is your CEL on?

 

[kuuldigs]

I just got my car back and it seems to be running fine and boosting properly now. I'll be replacing all my intercooler piping with new next week. Thanks for the help and suggestions.