need help car boosting but no power

[speedtechtalon]

ok, car was running 15 psi a week ago. but 3 days ago whenever it start to boost i get to anywhere betweens 0 to 7 psi and you can feel it begin to pull, but then it feels like it looses power but the turbo spools to 15+ psi? it kinda sounds like airs leaking somewhere but im not sure if its that or if im just hearing the turbo spooling with the intake filter. i'm not sure if this is considered a boost leak, creep, or spike, or maybe something completely different. ive checked couplers hoses, mbc . i dont have a leak tester so is there anything i can do????? please help!! ive any opinion would be greatly appreciated as i just spent a buch of money to have the car done and now i cant drive it and i need it for work.

 

[bluetlr2001]

You definately want to do a boost leak test. You say you dont have one but there not hard to make. Heres a couple of links that will help you in making one.
http://www.vfaq.com/index-main.html
http://www.dsmtuner.com/forums/showthread.php?t=201554

 

[MrBoxx]

bluetlr, you linked to the vfaq main page. The specific link for boost leak tester is here.

Do you have a logger? Are you planning on getting DSMLink or other engine management system any time soon? If you're running too lean, you may be getting enough knock to retard your timing, causing you to lose power.

 

[JLangevin]

It sounds like a boost leak issue... a major one will cause a boost spike. I was fighting boost spike issues forever and didnt do a boost leak test for a while because I just figured I didnt have any... so after changing out several parts, etc... I decided to go to Ace Hardware and build one... the second I pressurized my turbo, I heard it... HSSSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

WOW! - The second I stopped putting air in, the gauge (gauge on my tester) dropped to 0 almost instantly... I heard the leak coming from my TB area so I put the tester on the TB elbow... same thing... Turned out I had 2 vacume hoses that were torn in half, both EGR hoses werent connected and a leak from the TB gasket. After I fixed those, I couldnt even get my small compressor to pressurize the intake system (from the turbo). The air simply wouldnt go in (very weak compressor, and not enough air). I decided to simply button it up and take the car for a drive...

The car pulled harder than ever, and earlier in the powerband too. Some noises dissapeared and gas milage improved as well.

Whats the moral? All issues with a Turbo'd Car begin with a boost leak test!

 

[bluetlr2001]

Sorry the link didnt post for how the boost leak tester. Thank you for correcting me MrBoxx and posting the correct link

 

[speedtechtalon]

thanks guys, still havent checked with a leak tester yet havent had the time. as far as a logger i do not have one , i have an apexi safc 2 but its not hooked up yet. if i am running to lean why would my car have ran right at like 15 lbs a week ago? could have i have done something to make the timing retard?

 

[bluetlr2001]

Could have been that your knock sensor just gave out on you which will make your timing retard. I had to replace mine but the only way to tell is you will haev some goo coming out of it. Just stick your hand under your intake and feel for it. THe goo may not be sticky so you might want to pull it out and look at it. Mine didnt feel sticky but you could see the goo when you took it out.

 

[speedtechtalon]

Could have been that your knock sensor just gave out on you which will make your timing retard. I had to replace mine but the only way to tell is you will haev some goo coming out of it. Just stick your hand under your intake and feel for it. THe goo may not be sticky so you might want to pull it out and look at it. Mine didnt feel sticky but you could see the goo when you took it out.

i havent taken the knock sensor out yet but i have felt and it does feel kinda sticky. i gently scraped at and around it with my nail to see if i feel anything gooey and the first time i got black sticky stuff probably grease, the second time i got the same black stuff but a lil bit or it was like brownish. what color would the stuff coming out of it be? and thanks for the advice.?