Newbie with turbo/engine problems

[jstefano]

Hi, I'm a newbie to these forums but I need some help with my 95 Talon TSI AWD. Vehicle runs fine under normal acceleration but when I accelerate hard the vehicle sputters and spits out black smoke. Also idles very high spradically, more often when the vehicle is hot. I took vehicle to exhaust shop and fixed all exhaust leaks. I took it to the dealer and they replaced oxygen sensor and manifold differential pressor sensor. I also repalced spark plug wires and plugs. I brought vehicle to a third mechanic and he states that the wastegate actuator is not functioning properly. Any tips? If I do need a new wastegate actuator, where do I get one as I am having difficulty obtaining one from dealer.

Any help would be appreciated

John

 

[ilikespeeding]

Hi, I'm a newbie to these forums but I need some help with my 95 Talon TSI AWD. Vehicle runs fine under normal acceleration but when I accelerate hard the vehicle sputters and spits out black smoke. Also idles very high spradically, more often when the vehicle is hot. I took vehicle to exhaust shop and fixed all exhaust leaks. I took it to the dealer and they replaced oxygen sensor and manifold differential pressor sensor. I also repalced spark plug wires and plugs. I brought vehicle to a third mechanic and he states that the wastegate actuator is not functioning properly. Any tips? If I do need a new wastegate actuator, where do I get one as I am having difficulty obtaining one from dealer.

Any help would be appreciated

John

You sir probably have a boost leak.

Look for holes in your intercooler piping, and also do a boost leak test.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=169435&highlight=boost+leak

 

[jstefano]

Thanks Ilikespeeding.
I did the pressure test and found some leaks as some of the hoses were not connected properly. No more black smoke and car runs alot smoother. But I still think I have problems with the wastegate actuator. I applied 11.1 PSI to actuator and the arm did not move. It took almost 20psi to get the arm to move completely. Apparently these actuators rarely fail, but is this the proper test to determine the need for a new actuator? Does the actuator rod need to full length at 11.1PSI? My actuator has some rust on the rod. Dealer quoted me at $350 for a new actuator. I just wanted to make sure before I fork out this $$ for a new actuator. Any replies are greatly appreciated.

John

 

[travislaw]

Thanks Ilikespeeding.
I did the pressure test and found some leaks as some of the hoses were not connected properly. No more black smoke and car runs alot smoother. But I still think I have problems with the wastegate actuator. I applied 11.1 PSI to actuator and the arm did not move. It took almost 20psi to get the arm to move completely. Apparently these actuators rarely fail, but is this the proper test to determine the need for a new actuator? Does the actuator rod need to full length at 11.1PSI? My actuator has some rust on the rod. Dealer quoted me at $350 for a new actuator. I just wanted to make sure before I fork out this $$ for a new actuator. Any replies are greatly appreciated.

John

What turbo are you running? The best way to tell if your wastegate actuator is working or not is to get an aftermarket boost gauge and look at what your max boost is on the gauge when boosting. With no mods you shouldn't run more than 12 pounds on a T-25. Stock setting is around 6-9 PSI with no modifications. If you do have a T-25 I can send you a used Wastegate Actuator for $10 plus shipping cost.

 

[jstefano]

Thanks for the reply,
I am running with the stock turbo and no other mods other than a K&N air filter. I have thought about adding an aftermarket boost gauge, but I didn't look into what type to get and how to install yet. Unfortunately I became impatient with my Talon and already ordered the wastegate actuator from the dealer. If things don't work out with this one I would be interested in the used one that you have. I will let you know how things go.

Thanks

John

 

[dsmspyder97]

jstefano, welcome to the dsm world, although i am somewhat of a newbie on these forums i have been messing with dsms and my 3kvr4 for a while. By far theres alot i dont know, one thing that was really though is on this site. Go to tech guide, check out the model specs, then go a little deeper and check out the vfaq section, it explains everything from installing boost gauges to porting your turbo, definitely check it out, it almost doubled my knowledge of these cars.

 

[elementalwindx]

Thanks for the reply,
I am running with the stock turbo and no other mods other than a K&N air filter. I have thought about adding an aftermarket boost gauge, but I didn't look into what type to get and how to install yet. Unfortunately I became impatient with my Talon and already ordered the wastegate actuator from the dealer. If things don't work out with this one I would be interested in the used one that you have. I will let you know how things go.

Thanks

John

dear god. you paid over $300 for a effin' wastegate actuator for a stock t25!? I'm sure theres at least 34982348923 users on here willing to sell you one at the cost of shipping! The whole entire turbo alone I'm sure you could find for $100 or less! Holy cow man. PLEASE do us a favor and get your money back and spend $10-$20 on a used one and the rest on a boost guage! Please I am BEGGING you. Shit I even threw mine in the trash! Just think of that when your handing over $350 to satan, think of me, some guy in NC, throwing a working waste gate actuator in the trash!

 

[travislaw]

A lot of people use Autometer Boost Gauges. Depending on how much you want to upgrage your car, look into a Boost/Vacuum Gauge for 20 or 30 PSI. They run about $45. The hardest part of installing them is getting the hose through the firewall. And that isn't all that hard. You make a cut in your steering column boot and then feed the line through and then T the line into the line that comes out of your intake to your fuel pressure regulator. Wire the electronics into the Cigarette lighter light and your set to go. Get a gauge, it is a great investment for our cars because the boost gauge built into the cars instrument cluster sucks and isn't accurate. All it does is read an electrical signal that it thinks the boost is at, it isn't a true boost reading.