Spool but no pull before it warms up.

[AdoreGSX]

When I first start my car up in the morning and get on it a bit, it feels like its going nowhere. Sometimes it also does it when the car has been driven, turned off, then started up again a while after while its still warm. Its not a boost leak. Any opinions on what to look for or why this is happening. I drive a 2g gsx and two of my friends 2g gsts are doing the same thing...

 

[Talesin]

Starting off, laying on the car before it has had a chance to warm up (aka: within five minutes of turning on the car) can be extremely bad. Your turbo hasn't had time to fully heat, and even more of a problem, it could still be oil-starved. Which means you're essentially letting a midget **** your thrust bearing. Good job.

Second. When the car hasn't yet warmed, your piston rings have not had a chance to re-seat fully yet. Meaning your compression is likely out of whack, and you may be burning oil (if the scraper ring isn't seated).

Third. As to the short shut-off, have you checked your fuel system? If it loses pressure when turned off, you may get air bubbles in the lines; something that happens to mine, and takes a few minutes to work itself out, but that usually just causes a bit of hesitation.

 

[AdoreGSX]

thank you for the response. I dont get on my car usually, it was just the other day and i was at MAYBE half throttle, you can just tell it doesnt want to move (stock turbo spools up so quickly)

How should I go about checking the fuel system and all of the other things mentioned?

 

[Talesin]

Easiest answer is just to let it warm up for five minutes before you start really getting on it. It'll prolong the engine life all around, even if the turbo is the most likely to go out first. On that same note, it's also a good idea to idle the car for a minute (or longer) after driving.. I picked up a turbo timer, and checked how long it took for my exhaust housing to stop glowing cherry red... around five minutes, in my case, after putting it through hell.

Boost leak test would be good too... you may have a part that's heating up and closing off a boost leak, but only when it's at operating temperature.

As for the fuel system, my answer was to install an underhood fuel pressure gauge. If your fuel system holds around 21psi while the car's turned off, it's working properly. If it drops to zero almost instantly, something isn't working as it should, and you may be getting some air/vapor in the lines.


Piston ring seating... well, that happens on every car. Just warm it up first.

 

[azzinine1]

Sometimes my car will be fully warmed up, it will run fine. Then randomly it will do the same thing where the turbo spools but the car doesnt want to go with it. If i let off the gas and immediately push it again it pulls like normal. I checked for leaks, i was wondering if it could be the Air Mass???

 

[2gForMe]

If you have lifter tick..... My vote is for that, it will trip the knock sensor and cause that to happen.
Happened to me, then i replaced my lifters and it hasnt done it since.

 

[azzinine1]

If you have lifter tick..... My vote is for that, it will trip the knock sensor and cause that to happen.
Happened to me, then i replaced my lifters and it hasnt done it since.

i dont have lifter tick thought...thats interesting though

 

[Spoolin4Ever]

Plugs and wires?? Fuel filter?

Datalogger!