Do I need to change my wastegate?

[rolltidero]

I'm new to turbos and I'm not sure about whether I need to change my wastegate. I'm 99% sure it is the stock internal wastegate and turbo. In the last week or so I've noticed a whistle or whine from the timing belt side of my engine when my turbo spools up. But it is not under all pressures, only around 7-15 PSI until I let off the accelerator. My car doesn't show the usual signs of boost creep like the tapering off then regaining boost. I was wondering what this problem was and how to solve it.

 

[Breezio69]

Could be an exhaust leak, does the whistle kind of "flutter" when you go from on the gas to off the gas?

It was kind of a vague description as to what's going on. I've had the same issue which was fixed by new hot side gaskets on my 16g.

 

[Mitsumungst-gvr4-tsi]

Boost leak test!! Sounds like a boost leak to me!

 

[DSM Chase]

Do you know the condition of the timing belt pulleys? AC belt pulley? These all make noises when failing...

 

[rolltidero]

Do you know the condition of the timing belt pulleys? AC belt pulley? These all make noises when failing...

I had all the belts changed a few months ago and I was told the pulleys were in good shape.

For the boost leak test, which I do plan on doing, any suggestions on where it could be. Like I said it's on the driver side.

And for the exhaust leak, I can't get my heatshield off because the bolts wont turn, they're stuck. I thought though that if it was an exhaust leak I would see turbo lag, which I don't. I could be wrong though.

 

[VtecvrsTurbo]

I had all the belts changed a few months ago and I was told the pulleys were in good shape.

For the boost leak test, which I do plan on doing, any suggestions on where it could be. Like I said it's on the driver side.

And for the exhaust leak, I can't get my heatshield off because the bolts wont turn, they're stuck. I thought though that if it was an exhaust leak I would see turbo lag, which I don't. I could be wrong though.

Spray the heatshield bolts with some PB (wait till cool) and if the bolts break they break. They only hold the shield on, nothing else. My shield is held on with only one . If you get them off be sure to use some anti-seize when you install them.

There is just too many things it can be (really vague description) and you need to just start narrowing it down.

I had this same "whine" when I boosted past 10psi on my stock T25. I took the turbo off and found the bearing was worn causing the wheel to rub against the compressor.

 

[Breezio69]

Spray the heatshield bolts with some PB (wait till cool) and if the bolts break they break. They only hold the shield on, nothing else. My shield is held on with only one . If you get them off be sure to use some anti-seize when you install them.

There is just too many things it can be (really vague description) and you need to just start narrowing it down.

I had this same "whine" when I boosted past 10psi on my stock T25. I took the turbo off and found the bearing was worn causing the wheel to rub against the compressor.

Haha, in my stock manifold all of the heat shield bolts are broken off.

It also depends on where the exhaust leak is. Mine was on the o2 to downpipe gasket and it made a pretty distinct flutter sound... also that leak won't show a difference in spool since its post turbo/wastegate. I pulled all of it. Pulled the turbo and manifold, cleaned up the turbo, bought a new head to manifold gasket, new o2 housing gasket, new mani toturbo, new o2 to downpipe. An exhaust leak at least at the dp sounds significantly louder, smells pike exhaust at stops, and shows soot around the leaks.

All 4 gaskets cost me about $60

 

[Silverpearll]

I agree with the above posts. If you are concerned about your wastegate actuator you could pull off the vacuum line and test it with some compressed air to see if it is opening and closing smoothly. If you don't have a compressor you can use a vacuum pump that will also pressurize to actuate it.

 

[rolltidero]

Haha, in my stock manifold all of the heat shield bolts are broken off.

It also depends on where the exhaust leak is. Mine was on the o2 to downpipe gasket and it made a pretty distinct flutter sound... also that leak won't show a difference in spool since its post turbo/wastegate. I pulled all of it. Pulled the turbo and manifold, cleaned up the turbo, bought a new head to manifold gasket, new o2 housing gasket, new mani toturbo, new o2 to downpipe. An exhaust leak at least at the dp sounds significantly louder, smells pike exhaust at stops, and shows soot around the leaks.

All 4 gaskets cost me about $60

The more research I do the more I think it is an exhaust leak. I am still going to do a boost leak test. If I do get gaskets where should I get them from and what kind. I've seen metal gaskets and rubber gaskets and stuff so i don't know.