need help with a 1990 laser issue

[anakin3197]

Hey i have a 1990 laser with a 16 g turbo, that i was running 16 psi boost with. It was running great, and then one night after work i pulled out of work and got on it, when it got to 16 psi like normal, it jus quit boosting, and the motor is running like it is bogged down. On the boost gauge, it jus jumps when it gets to 0 psi and jumps back and forth, and continues to run like it is being bogged down pretty bad.

This is my first turbo setup, so im new to this, so any help or ideas that you can help with with would be greatly appreciated. I tried to use the search, and the only thing that i came up with was that the wastegate could be stuck, but I didnt know if that would make the motor run like crap. Thank you.

 

[josh38127]

I would check your intercooler pipes.It sounds like you might have popped one off.

Are you still using the stocks intercooler hoses?

 

[DSM1G90]

Ya, check your system out and holler back for more help if needed ..

 

[anakin3197]

the hoses and everything was on nonthing was loose. the mechanic said that the compression was great, said that he check the turbo and said that it was good, and that nonthing was wrong with it. so today he called and said that he thought it was the plugs and plug wires. that they were arcing out, and causing the cylinders to die out. but i dont know if that is possible. so im still stuck at square one, having no idea what is wrong.

 

[fullCircle]

not being an ass when i say this... what level of mechanical abilities you have? i see a referance to a mechanic, did you take the car to a mistu or chrysler dealer to be checked out?

you have to realize a leak might be visable with out the whole system under pressure. you may have a hole in a hose somewhere whrer you can't see it.

 

[anakin3197]

im not a master mechanic, but i am a little knowledgeable. no i didnt take it to a dealer, the mechanic is a buddy of mine that works on cars.

 

[anakin3197]

new plugs and plug wires didnt do anything for it. theres no coolant in the in the oil, and its not smoking or anything. if it warped or cracked the head would it make it act the way it does. also i forgot to mention that it overheated the night before it messed it. im starting to think that i messed the head up.

 

[NOSLO2PT0]

You popped an intercooler hose off somewhere. Either that, or check the plug to your MAS (mass air sensor). When those become unplugged, the car runs like total ass, bogging down, dying out, no power.

 

[anakin3197]

i check all the hoses and cant find any loose, and they all appear to be in good shape. i checked the sensor is still plugged up, and theres no check engine light on.

 

[Mike Croutcher]

You are still running the cloth braided hoses?
Run your hands along them, feeling for any week or soft spot. I've seen the rubber inside the hose tear and the cloth still looked good on the outside.

I'm 99% positive it is a simple boost leak. (although a big one).

I've also seen the inter-coolers corrode from Salt, if you are in one of those states. Causing a boost leak.

Check the hose from the turbo to the inter-cooler. It gets the hottest air, and seems to be the one that goes first.

Mike Croutcher (I'm back)
Diamond Star Specialties

 

[anakin3197]

ive tried to use the search for a step by step guide on how to do a boost leak test, but i can not find one. if anyone has a link you something that would be great, and very much appreciated. o and yes im still using all stock hoses as i havent had the car long.

 

[anakin3197]

ok i found a guide on how to make a leak tester. but the writer didnt say anything about unhooking anything. so can i jus pressurize the system and be ok, or what is best? here is the guide that i foundhttp://www.vfaq.com/mods/ICtester.html.

 

[DSM1G90]

Gonna throw an interesting on here that I experienced the other day and it's not at all related to anything in this discussion above, yet I was getting to experience the similar: bogging down during driving.

At a drive-thru at Blimpies to get lunch since I was on a break. Car, since it was acting a little tired of sorts for the last couple of days, CEL light came on and off, ECU relay was clicking and then, suddenly, the car died cold - no re-start, nothing.

Being a little embarrassed with a totally dead car in the drive-thru, I had to get people behind me to back up so I can push the thing out to the next parking lot. Luckily, I had my tools in the back.

Popped the hood and checked battery connections in which they were tight but the positive connection was very hot to even touch. I knew right then I had connection problems.

Let it cool a bit and took off both lead connections. The positive had hidden corrosion on the lead surfaces. Took a pocket knife out of the tool bag and clean all of that corrosion off and cut into the lead so I can have new lead contact (for the curious on why we use lead as connections: Lead is a great conductor when coming to high amperage, DC connections and those DSM's that uses those Marine type connectors - the ones with the wing nuts to lock down the wires to the lead connector - the wing nuts have to be down rock solid tight..I took those off and converted my wiring to the conventional lead battery post connectors..) on the battery posts-in which I also cleaned to lead shine.

After I did this, thing started right up immediately and guess what? I got some power that I had lost. When battery posts begin to have corrosion, the electrical system isn't getting the full current out of the battery and we wonder if it's something else since we take where it all begins with - the battery and the alternator - for granted.

Thus, pull your connectors off of the battery and clean them both - the connectors and the battery posts - from time to time. Plus, if you have added 3rd party wiring devices to those connectors, make sure that they are on solid tight as well

Little tips - good luck-DSM

 

[anakin3197]

i check the battery, it was clean. now im trying to figure out weither or not i need to unnplug any sensors or hoses. ive read a few different tech guides and some say you have to and some say dont unplug anything. and they also dont say if to do it with the car started or off.

 

[thetalonator]

Hey i have a 1990 laser with a 16 g turbo, that i was running 16 psi boost with. It was running great, and then one night after work i pulled out of work and got on it, when it got to 16 psi like normal, it jus quit boosting, and the motor is running like it is bogged down. On the boost gauge, it jus jumps when it gets to 0 psi and jumps back and forth, and continues to run like it is being bogged down pretty bad.

This is my first turbo setup, so im new to this, so any help or ideas that you can help with with would be greatly appreciated. I tried to use the search, and the only thing that i came up with was that the wastegate could be stuck, but I didnt know if that would make the motor run like crap. Thank you.

u could have smoked ## turbo. is it blowing smoke out the exhaust? pull the inlet tube off the turbo n check the shaft play. if not blt the whole system

 

[anakin3197]

i check the turbo no shaft play. i check the hoses their good. i started her up today, and the whole motor was shaking, and very bogged down. there is no smoke coming from the tailpipe or anything.

 

[VTEC_lol]

Check your intercooler piping and also your vacuum lines, specifically to your wastegate.

 

[anakin3197]

yep tried that route as well, vtec theres a place in kingsport called the shop, i think ima have to take it there, they specialize in jdms

i done a compression check tonight. cylinders 1 and 4 had great compression. cylinders 2 and 3 didnt. took the valve cover off, and put a little oil in the cylinders to see if maybe the rings were unseated but that didnt work. the car did overheat a little bit once or twice before but it was running great after it did. so what is the next thing that i can do? is it possible that i cracked or warped the head and thats why those 2 cylinders arent getting any compression?

 

[anakin3197]

i done a compression check tonight. cylinders 1 and 4 had great compression. cylinders 2 and 3 didnt. took the valve cover off, and put a little oil in the cylinders to see if maybe the rings were unseated but that didnt work. the car did overheat a little bit once or twice before but it was running great after it did. so what is the next thing that i can do? is it possible that i cracked or warped the head and thats why those 2 cylinders arent getting any compression?

 

[luckynumber5]

If you want I can look at the car. I would avoid the Shop, they are starting to get a less that likeable reputation with a lot of people for overpriced shoddy work.

 

[anakin3197]

So i got the head off and the gasket was gone between 2 and 3. I had the head checked and decked. Im going to try to put it all back together this weekend.

After its all back together i know that i should go easy on her for a while to get everything seated and cured, but how long? is there a certain amount of time or mileage? Im using the felpro head gaskest kit, what is the quality like on these? Before i blew the gasket i was running 16 psi, should it be safe that i still run that or should i turn it down.

In addition to the gasket, im also putting a new water pump, and timing belt, taking care of all regular maintence. Do i have all my bases covered, is there anything else that i need to be aware of?