boost gauge problem?

[DROPthatCLUTCH]

k so i bought my car with a manual boost controller, and a boost gauge already installed. its a shitty ashcroft psi gauge.. im pretty new to turbo charged engines, and im not even sure if its meant to be in a car? i tried googling an ashcroft gauge in a car, and didnt find anything. but anyways when its at around 6000 rpm the gauge is reading 20 psi, but the stock gauge still isnt maxed out(apparently the stock gauge isnt very accurate) and it should be cutting fuel at 16psi i thought? ( from what i know everything else is stock) ive tried turning the boost down but the controller is stuck and wont budge either way.
so does this sound like just a case of shitty boost gauge? or is the boost just cranked way up?
also, what would help to loosen up the contolling knob? wd-40?
thanks alot guys

 

[dexterholland04]

We would need to see some pictures of what boost controller you have. As for the boost gauge, Ashcroft Gauges are not manufactured to be in cars. They make pressure and other types of reference gauges for industrial/medical/manufacturing uses. I would get rid of the boost gauge you have in the car now, and go with a Prosport, Stuart Warner, Defi, or Autometer (I think I covered the major brands). Depending on what boost controller you have and the shape it's in, you might need to swap that one out too...

 

[9!'clipseDOHC]

Don't pay any attention to your factory boost gauge, pretend it's not even there. All a boost gauge is is a pressure gauge so there's a good chance that your gauge is working.

 

[DROPthatCLUTCH]

k ill try and get some pics of my boost controller, but if i can loosen it up, would it be a good idea to turn the boost down? its a brand new head gasket, and id rather not blow it.

 

[9!'clipseDOHC]

Yes, back your boost controller all the way out (turn it to the left, counter-clockwise).

There is usually a retaining nut that you have to loosen before you can turn the knob.

 

[DROPthatCLUTCH]

how much boost will it be pushing with it backed off fully? 7-10? just wondering..
and how hard is it to blow the head gasket, ### i got my car like 2 weeks ago and ive been driving it everyday since, i only ripped it when i first got it a couple times, until i noticed how high the boost was. and since then im kinda just drivin like a granny.. so i just wanna know how easy it is for an engine with a brand new head/head gasket to blow up?

oh ya and at first the pointer on the gauge slowly makes its way up to 10, but when it gets past 10 it pretty much shoots up to 15 or 20. just wondering if this is normal or if its boost creep or what?
thanks for your help

 

[Bud92gsx]

Sounds more like boost spike than creep..But he is a newb so It could just sound like spike with his wording and such, and the real issue is creep..Or The controller could actually be set on 20 psi, so ya try turning it down and see what happens..Sorry for the rant..

Shoots up, sounds more like spike, but we'll see when he gets the controller set..

 

[DROPthatCLUTCH]

haha ya sorry for the newbie questions, im just trying to get some knowledge on whats going on.. i love my tsi and plan on keeping it for a while, im tryna learn all i can about them before i start to mess with anything. but hey thanks for not flaming me

ill look for a retaining nut tomorrow and try to turn the boost down, and ill let you know how it goes.

 

[Bud92gsx]

It's alright man, at least your trying to take care of your car..And not saying stuff like my boost goes to 20 psi, I think i'm gonna push it to thirty..That kinda crap is the crap we hate..
Tomarrow great plan..

 

[fwbt]

Even if you turn the boost controller all the way down you'll run no more than the PSI that the wastegate actuator is set at. For example, my wastegate opens at 17 PSI reguardless if i turn the boost controller all the way down i should build to about 17 PSI.

 

[Bud92gsx]

You also have a 20g and a 3in exhaust, So your gonna creep to17psi reguardless..This guy is on stock exhaust and stock turbo..

 

[95gsttsi]

so its probably gonna be around 8-10 psi. im running 5 on a worn out turbo. i haave an extra boos gauge if you need one! its a cheap one but works perfect unlike my glowshift which is off by 1psi. also u want to back it down. although i doubt your running 20psi on a stock turbo. maybe around 16. which your gonna hit fuel cut, back it down to about 10. and ull be good stock motors can only handle so much.

 

[thomcasey]

so its probably gonna be around 8-10 psi. im running 5 on a worn out turbo. i haave an extra boos gauge if you need one! its a cheap one but works perfect unlike my glowshift which is off by 1psi. also u want to back it down. although i doubt your running 20psi on a stock turbo. maybe around 16. which your gonna hit fuel cut, back it down to about 10. and ull be good stock motors can only handle so much.

Stock motor can handle PLENTY!!! Now, they don't like lot's of "lean", but stock motors can makes plenty of power.

 

[95gsttsi]

Yes but can only handle so much boost! 400whp I belive is the max out on these motors

 

[DROPthatCLUTCH]

k ya, there is a little retaining nut, thanks man.
but im also just wondering... is it possible that i have a really shitty gauge, and maybe the calibration is off and its reading higher than it should be?
ive had people drive it and from both guys i got, "i gaurentee its not pushing 20 lbs" so im thinking about getting a new gauge and throwin it in there

 

[Dsm4lyfe12]

k ya, there is a little retaining nut, thanks man.
but im also just wondering... is it possible that i have a really shitty gauge, and maybe the calibration is off and its reading higher than it should be?
ive had people drive it and from both guys i got, "i gaurentee its not pushing 20 lbs" so im thinking about getting a new gauge and throwin it in there

Even if that tiny turbo was pushing 20pounds it wouldnt feel like a 14b or 16g because they have my lbs per minute. I would toss that gauge in the trash, does it read vacuum? I wouldnt worry about what its pushing and worry about turning it all the way down so you dont blow that hg. Sorry if i sound like an ass.

 

[BlackMount]

Is there any other mods done to the car? I use to have a laser and when I bought it, it the guy had it set on 20 psi with nothing but a 255lph pump on a 14b stock injectors. No fuel cut. Later threw on a n/t for can slightly raise the amount of fuel the 450s are able to put out.... I blew my 14b up at 26 psi. Exhaust turbine snapped off the shaft and wedged into my o2 housing. and the motor still ran like a dream afterwords once a new turbo was installed . 230k on bottom end with rebuilt head. At 7.8:1 compression these motors are pretty hard to blow up with stock turbo if everything is functioning properly and is healthy,. Edit. Until fuel mods are acquired I would suggest removing boost controller and running stock boost. Dont push ## luck like I did. I was younger and dumber. And had a lot less knowledge of turbo cars.

 

[DROPthatCLUTCH]

Even if that tiny turbo was pushing 20pounds it wouldnt feel like a 14b or 16g because they have my lbs per minute. I would toss that gauge in the trash, does it read vacuum? I wouldnt worry about what its pushing and worry about turning it all the way down so you dont blow that hg. Sorry if i sound like an ass.

nope it doesnt read vacuum, the gauge im looking at does though. and no its all good man you dont sound like an ass

 

[DROPthatCLUTCH]

k im not positive but i think my aftermarket gauge might have been T'd in with the stock boost gauge vacuum line.. i could be wrong, but if so, could this be causing the bad readings?

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[9!'clipseDOHC]

k im not positive but i think my aftermarket gauge might have been T'd in with the stock boost gauge vacuum line.. i could be wrong, but if so, could this be causing the bad readings?

There is no such thing as the stock boost gauge vacuum line. The ECU just estimates the amount of boost that you are seeing, which is why the stock boost gauge is worthless. That is the fuel pressure solenoid and is were most people tap their boost gauges.

 

[Bud92gsx]

It's been a few days, have you turned the boost down and everything is koesher or what?

 

[DROPthatCLUTCH]

well what the hell? i seriously find it hard to believe that it is actually pushing 20 lbs of boost.
and no bud, i havent touched the controller at all. ive been to busy with work and school. ill go try right now. should i turn to the left or right?

 

[HeatedCargo]

That is the fuel pressure solenoid and is were most people tap their boost gauges.

Is that were it's "supposed" to be hooked up? Or what would be the best recommend place to hook up the boost gauge? Planning on doing a air fuel, boost, and vacuum gauge project planning on ordering some gauges with the three pod pillar special from glow shift.

 

[AK Thunder]

Is that were it's "supposed" to be hooked up? Or what would be the best recommend place to hook up the boost gauge? Planning on doing a air fuel, boost, and vacuum gauge project planning on ordering some gauges with the three pod pillar special from glow shift.

best recommended place. anyone who know what they're doing taps in there.

 

[Bud92gsx]

Yes, back your boost controller all the way out (turn it to the left, counter-clockwise).

There is usually a retaining nut that you have to loosen before you can turn the knob.

Counter clockwise man..

I wish I had one like that..Mine is operated by two screws, dam apexi and there weird parts..
I'm really not suprized that little 14b is pushing 20 psi, I'm more suprized your not hitting fuel cut tho..