Sputtering under boost help! Possible lean condition!

[mikevar94]

So I took this kid for a ride in my car earlier. Did a pull to about 7000rpm. Went for another and the car started sputtering and hesitating as soon as boost kick in probably around 4psi and I run 11 daily. We pull the spark plug wires...they're all clean. Check the injectors to see if any are loose they all seem fine. When I got home I popped the hood when it was running and idk if running lean has a certain smell but there was a weird smell that just smelt like...well running lean...idk how to describe it. What do I do?? Is it safe to drive to a shop and just not hit boost? Also when I was pulling the spark plug wires off one of them got messed up and stuck so when I pulled it, the rod inside the wire came all the way out so now I need new wires. Please help. I don't have a wide band yet so idk if it lean. Also no cel

A little background on the car
It's always had really bad idle. Was always bad on gas and always smelt like it was running rich on fuel. But it always boosted fine. Whenever I checked for vacuum leaks using the throttle body cleaner method...when I sprayed up near the injectors it bogged out a little ONCE. Was not able to do it again.

Could it be a boost leak?

 

[F_27stryker1]

If it were me I would start with a boost leak test. Simple, and tells you a lot. Just from what you have said by spraying near the intake it might be bad injector orings, or intake gasket

 

[jed344]

Start with the basic's. If the car never had a very good idle i would also check into that could be a few things maintenance is key.

 

[talontd92tsi]

Classic symptoms of a boost leak. The car may only be seeing 4psi, but the turbo is dragging a whole lot more air than necessary through the mass airflow sensor, causing an excessively rich condition, and the misfire you are describing.

Keep in mind, boost leaks overwork the turbo, and will eventually cause premature failure. The turbo and wastegate does not know the boost is not making it to the intake manifold, and the wastegate does not open when it should, which overspins the turbo.

Do a boost leak test to 20+ psi and post the results.

 

[mikevar94]

Classic symptoms of a boost leak. The car may only be seeing 4psi, but the turbo is dragging a whole lot more air than necessary through the mass airflow sensor, causing an excessively rich condition, and the misfire you are describing.

Keep in mind, boost leaks overwork the turbo, and will eventually cause premature failure. The turbo and wastegate does not know the boost is not making it to the intake manifold, and the wastegate does not open when it should, which overspins the turbo.

Do a boost leak test to 20+ psi and post the results.

Will do! I'll make a tester on Thursday when Home Depot is open. Thanks for the input guys.

 

[bq509]

Do you have any kind of air/fuel gauge or a wideband? I would invest in one to be sure that way you will know if your running too rich/lean in the future. Also, mine did the same thing the other day (one of my wires was practically disintegrated) and I replaced the plugs & wires and my misfire cleared right up. Does it feel more like misfire or hesitation ONLY under boost? +1 on the BLT

 

[mikevar94]

Do you have any kind of air/fuel gauge or a wideband? I would invest in one to be sure that way you will know if your running too rich/lean in the future. Also, mine did the same thing the other day (one of my wires was practically disintegrated) and I replaced the plugs & wires and my misfire cleared right up. Does it feel more like misfire or hesitation ONLY under boost? +1 on the BLT

Yeah I def need to get one soon. I did change the plugs and wires last night and it didn't make a difference. And yeah it's only doing it under boost. If I accelerate real slow and avoid hitting boost she drives pretty much normal. My guess is a bad injector seal because when you look at it closely you can see some kind of a sludge between the seal and injector. Also I can hear a hissing in that/intake area

 

[bq509]

Yeah I could see that being the problem. When you boost its obviously forcing more air therefore needs more fuel. Could be lack of fuel or what you were saying about it running lean. Hopefully that fixes your issue! Good luck n Merry Christmas

 

[mikevar94]

Yeah I could see that being the problem. When you boost its obviously forcing more air therefore needs more fuel. Could be lack of fuel or what you were saying about it running lean. Hopefully that fixes your issue! Good luck n Merry Christmas

Thanks man ill let you know what happens. Merry Christmas to you too bro

 

[bq509]

Haha...no prob. Btw I'm a female, but you can call me bro anytime ttys!

 

[mikevar94]

Haha...no prob. Btw I'm a female, but you can call me bro anytime ttys!

Good news! Did a boost leak test and my blow off valve was leaking pretty bad. I fixed the clamp and now it boosts like a boss. Thanks for all the input!

 

[bq509]

Awesome! Yeah that could definitely do it. Anytime there's a change in weather i kinda go around n make sure all my clamps and bolts are tightened. But happy you found the issue!