Can't control boost

[TSIMonsteR]

Alight, I've been running at wastegate pressure since the HG/tbelt job. I decided it was time to turn the boost up but I'm having some trouble.

When at wastegate pressure, I'm getting about 12 psi, which is normal.

I hook up my hallman es (that I've had for years) and I can't seem to control boost. I was aiming for 18psi initially, but no matte the setting, I get, what seems to be, infinite boost.

They port perpendicular to the body of the valve is connected to the wastegate actuator, while the other is connected directly to the LICP.

I thought counter-clockwise to decrease boost, and clockwise to increase. But it doesn't matter, I can loosen it all the way out, or tighten it all the way down... no change.
For now, I hooked it back to the actuator directly, which works fine, and holds a steady 12.

I didn't think I was an idiot, but I'm not sure what the deal is. Any ideas?

 

[johnmarines]

sound like a mbc problem...I would replace it.

 

[JayRolla]

Did you flip the MBC around and make sure it was hooked up right. Its usually hooked up backwards when you get infinite boost. Make sure the spring is still inside also.

 

[LiquidX]

If all was fine before, switch the lines and try again. If no go then open it up to see if anything got stuck shut.

 

[2gGSXEclipse]

Should be a spring and a check ball inside. Did you ever open it up. Possible something is stuck or like they said...try flippin it around.

 

[kenuwine4g63]

Mine did the same thing and cost me a headgasket, chuck it and invest in another one.

 

[TSIMonsteR]

I opened it up yesterday. Everything seemed fine. I mean, its a simple device, I don't see how it can just not be good anymore. Its a bolt, a nut, a spring, a ball, and a body. The only thing that could wear out would be the spring, right?

Did you flip the MBC around and make sure it was hooked up right. Its usually hooked up backwards when you get infinite boost. Make sure the spring is still inside also.

I put the side with the bleeder hole towards the actuator, is that incorrect? I'll try the other way too. I guess we shall see ...

Ok, hooking it up the other way is just as bad, if not worse... which makes sense because I don't see how it would function the other way. (I mean, it works by applying pressure to the steel ball, as boost increases, the ball moves back and allows the pressure to hit the wastegate, right?)

 

[LiquidX]

You can always bypass the MBC and connect the vacuum hose from the LICP/J-pipe/Compressor housing directly to the wastegate and see if that fixes your boost. If it works at stock levels then the MBC will need replaced as you've tried to flip it around to be sure you didn't have it backwards.

You don't have a cracked line do you?

 

[pj91gsx]

maybe you have really long vacuum lines. because your hitting 18 your not maxing out, or a pin hole in a vacuum line.

 

[ChillinGST]

I have the same mbc and i'm pretty sure the bleeder goes on the actuator side. I can check once i get outta work. Also, when you turn (tighten) the boost up can you shake the controller and still hear the ball moving around? It should be silent once you have pressure on the spring, if not sounds like your boost controller may just be broken.

 

[TSIMonsteR]

You can always bypass the MBC and connect the vacuum hose from the LICP/J-pipe/Compressor housing directly to the wastegate and see if that fixes your boost. If it works at stock levels then the MBC will need replaced as you've tried to flip it around to be sure you didn't have it backwards.

I appreciate the help and your replies, but as stated in my first post, I can hook the same vac line to the wastegate and it boosts fine at wastegate pressure. (12psi)

Thanks to a fellow DSMer's idea, I am going to a friends shop tomorrow to test the boost controller out on a compressor to see whats up. I'll let you guys know.

I've kinda always wanted to step up the the pro, simply so I didn't have to carry a 13mm wrench with me, ... maybe this is my needed excuse!

I have the same mbc and i'm pretty sure the bleeder goes on the actuator side. I can check once i get outta work. Also, when you turn (tighten) the boost up can you shake the controller and still hear the ball moving around? It should be silent once you have pressure on the spring, if not sounds like your boost controller may just be broken.

Thanks for the help. I'm 99% that you're correct on the bleeder... as it just makes since.