Stock wastegate leaking

[92redman]

Just wondering if anybody else has had problems with their wastegate leaking. I noticed when I first got the car I wouldn't hit full boost until after 4500 RPMs. Then installed an o2 housing with a dump tube and could feel air rushing out at idle. Also sounds crappy when accelerating.

Anyone that has had this problem: is it the flapper that leaks, not enough pressure from the actuator, or is it from a buildup of carbon on the sealing surface?

Any help is much appreciated, thanks.

 

[-GSX-Falcon]

I dont know if this is a common prob or not but when I took off my 13g I noticed the wastegate flapper was not "aligned" right. When it closed it was not centered over the hole...so a little bit of one side still let exhaust gas go by. On such a small turbo it was no big deal, but on something bigger it probably would cause this type of problem.

 

[92redman]

So why was it not aligned?

 

[-GSX-Falcon]

I really have no idea why it was not aligned. Looked like it has been made that way. Maybe the flapper arm got bent or something. I couldnt tell ya.

 

[92redman]

Nobody else has had this problem

 

[psychlow]

Cracks in the turbine housing around the wastegate flapper area can also allow exhaust to bypass the flapper.

If your turbo is old, you may have to replace it, or get a new turbine housing.