Installed XS FMIC, now a problem!!!! HELP

[ryno]

I installed the ebay XS FMIC on my 2g GST. Before I installed it I had the stock SMIC, the car ran really good and pulled like a mother.

After the install of the FMIC, there seems to be a huge power loss, but the most disturbing thing is there is a new tick.

There is now a tick coming from the upper engine, it does not tick in neutral or with clutch in while rolling. Only when its under pressure. We did a boost leak and found no leaks from intercooler or piping. But then again we couldnt get it to hold more then 3psi. The tick gets very loud, seems like its coming from upper engine. What could be the problem? Any tips would be useful.

Bottom line after instal of FMIC, there has been a major loss of power and a very loud and anoying tick under pressure.

PLEASE HELP!!!!

THANKS

 

[turboguy25]

Do you have a aftermarket boost gauge? if so are you building full boost ? What octane fuel do you use because you could be geting detonation because the air charge entering the engine is now much cooler than it used to be so now you will probably have to compensate by adding more fuel.Cooler air is more dense.
Tony

 

[44pirate]

We did a boost leak and found no leaks from intercooler or piping. But then again we couldnt get it to hold more then 3psi. The tick gets very loud, seems like its coming from upper engine. What could be the problem? Any tips would be useful.

Bottom line after instal of FMIC, there has been a major loss of power and a very loud and anoying tick under pressure.

PLEASE HELP!!!!

THANKS

For gods sake, there is your problem. BIG ASS BOOST LEAK. Hence power loss.
Find your boost leak.
What are you using to pressure the system with?

 

[Narco]

We're testing the system with my boost leak tester hooked up to an air tank. We capped off the piping to check the IC install for leaks, and found none.

I can hear a ton of air leaking but it sounds like the air is leaking inside of the engine, or possibly from the intake.

I couldn't feel any air leaking around the intake or the throttle body, and I had the airflow wide open on of the air tank.

 

[ryno]

Yes, I have a gauge. It boosts fine, im only runnin 10psi with this problem, but it gets up to 10 fine. When we do the boost leak tho, it wont go past 3 psi. We are using an air tank.

I also think its a huge boost leak but I cant find anything, it sounds id its coming from the intake manifold area but I cant see nothing or find it.
I am running premium gas, the best pump gas in town. I have a 190lph fuel pump dont know if thats enough gas like youre saying.

But what in the hell would be making the tick noise, its loud as a lifter, but its not a lifter.

Thanks

 

[RotaryRyan]

If you can't get it to hold more than 3psi while testing, then you have a leak or leaks. Even if you can get 10psi while driving.

I had 8 decent size boost leaks and could still hold 9 psi steady. Find the leak(s).

 

[Narco]

Yes, I have a gauge. It boosts fine, im only runnin 10psi with this problem, but it gets up to 10 fine. When we do the boost leak tho, it wont go past 3 psi. We are using an air tank.

I also think its a huge boost leak but I cant find anything, it sounds id its coming from the intake manifold area but I cant see nothing or find it.
I am running premium gas, the best pump gas in town. I have a 190lph fuel pump dont know if thats enough gas like youre saying.

But what in the hell would be making the tick noise, its loud as a lifter, but its not a lifter.

Thanks

Check your pm's dude, I have an idea.

 

[majik2k5]

I'm curious now. If you get the chance, do a compression test and get back to me.

 

[Narco]

I'm curious now. If you get the chance, do a compression test and get back to me.

Yeah, I suggested that to him already. We'll do it Sunday.

 

[ryno]

OK thanks guys ill give results.

Travis do you have the tools to do a compression check?

 

[majik2k5]

A complete compression test kit at Advanced Auto is like $20 - 30 for the cheap ones.

 

[Tx97GSX]

Did you install new TB gaskets when installing the pipes? Also the Flange on the TB Elbow most likely isn't flat and hence is not sealing up.

 

[ryno]

I didnt replace a new gasket. But it doesnt sound like its coming from the TB.

 

[Narco]

OK thanks guys ill give results.

Travis do you have the tools to do a compression check?

Yeah, I have a compression tester.

 

[GreddyGst]

Lets hope your motor is fine but check for any leaks and hows your turbo?

 

[Narco]

Lets hope your motor is fine but check for any leaks and hows your turbo?

His turbo seems fine, it just has a huge leak in the intake somewhere. I think the ticking noise might be a blown intake mani gasket around one of the ports. The ticking is only under load.

 

[majik2k5]

If you didn't replace the TB gaskets, do it now. It could be leaking out of the bottom of the throttle body without you knowing. They're cheap, so go ahead and replace them.

 

[LunarEclips]

intake manifold gasket would be my guess....they rarely go out....let us know what it comes out to.

 

[Narco]

Did the compression test today...150 across all four. Still can't get the thing to hold boost.

Ryno's going to take his upper elbow to a machine shop to have it resurfaced, get a new tb flange gasket, and we'll try it again.

The wierd thing is... I can't really hear any air leaks.

Any other input would be appreciated!

 

[majik2k5]

Do you have what you need to do a leakdown test? Better to do all the tests first than to replace a ton of things and find out it was something else later on down the line.

 

[Killa_dsm]

Could it be the turbo seal?

 

[RotaryRyan]

Grap a bottle of soapy water and spray it all over your piping etc. while doing a boost leak test. The bubbles will tell.

 

[somdturbo]

Grap a bottle of soapy water and spray it all over your piping etc. while doing a boost leak test. The bubbles will tell.

^^ Agreed. As previously mentioned, check out the TB gasket, they leak very commonly upon removal and installation, and on occasion could use a resurface by a local machine shop. Good luck let us know what it was

 

[ryno]

We did the soap trick but saw nothing. The hard part is the fact that its not loud enogh for us to hear, its going out so fast we cant hear it barely. Im going to get it resurfaced and buy a new gasket, hopefully that works.

 

[laserspeeddemon]

Man, I wish you were closer. I got pretty good at isolation boost leaks.

I suggest you take it to a gas station and use the air hose there to provide constant pressure when checking for boost leaks (hopefully thier air pump won't be TOO loud).

The most common leaks in that area are:
TB gaskets (on both sides)
BISS screw O-ring
TB seals

Spray the *bleep* outta the TB area with soapy water (don't forget to shake the bottle after mixing the fluids). And pressure test it, keep spraying it. If you can hear a hiss, but see no bubbles in this area, open the throttle and listen to see if you can see hear the pitch of the hiss change. (if it does the TB seals are bad).

Theres my 2 cents.