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View Full Version : Possible Wastegate Actuator


gen1pro
04-24-2006, 10:04 PM
So I'm driving home from school today on the 408 and when I hit the gas to get on highway I look at my gauges and noticed my boost went up to 14psi, I quickly lay off the gas and then try it again to see if it was just a wierd coincidence. I even turn off my greddy boost controller and it still spiked. After reading some threads I think its the wastegate actuator. Do you think I'm on the right track? I was looking at this one from atp turbo:

http://www.atpturbo.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=ATP-WGT-011B&Category_Code=WGT

So I know this is a direct (so to speak) replacement, but is there an upgraded on that I could be looking at. I plan on doing new internals in the summer and boosting a little more.
BlkZoomZoom
04-24-2006, 10:07 PM
Why not diagnois the problem instead of assuming?
MrDiggler
04-25-2006, 01:24 AM
Why not diagnois the problem instead of assuming?

BZZ is right. Get down and dirty with it and make sure no lines are cracked or popped off. I had this happen a few nights ago in my 323 GTX (hit 22 psi with a VJ-16 turbo...damn near ripped our heads off), and it turned out to be a vacuum line that had popped off the HKS boost controller. Could be the actuator, but I'm betting it's even simpler than that.
lasermp5
04-25-2006, 01:35 AM
408 w00t! CF represent!
gen1pro
04-25-2006, 06:25 AM
Why not diagnois the problem instead of assuming?

Well if you knew me with cars then you probably wouldn't ask (don't laugh...were not all mechanically inclined) but I'll give it a try based on the threads I've read. Since I have finals this week I'll just have to be a safe driver and wait until next week to check it out.
Velocifero
04-25-2006, 07:33 AM
what kind of gauge do you have? did it feel like you were boosting 14psi? I know they are simple questions, but like said before, it could be a very simple problem.
gen1pro
04-25-2006, 05:48 PM
what kind of gauge do you have? did it feel like you were boosting 14psi? I know they are simple questions, but like said before, it could be a very simple problem.

I have the autometer gauges and I'd have to say it really didn't feel like it was boosting much more that my normal 10psi. The boost controller also showed the last boost at like 13.9
peepsalot
04-25-2006, 05:56 PM
Probably some line on the way to the wastegate is cracked, punctured, or popped off. Wastegate actuator failure is possible, but not as likely as some other causes. Don't waste your money and time buying a replacement part until you are sure what's wrong.
gen1pro
04-25-2006, 06:27 PM
I looked at all the lines going to the actuator and to the BOV and Boost controller and nothing looked like it popped off. What can I use to chseck for leaks is the lines?
speedprotegewi
04-25-2006, 06:32 PM
I looked at all the lines going to the actuator and to the BOV and Boost controller and nothing looked like it popped off. What can I use to chseck for leaks is the lines?

spray your vaccuum lines with brake cleaner while the engine is running, if the idle suddenly raises, u found a leak
peepsalot
04-26-2006, 10:43 AM
You can remove the wastegate/BOV hose from the intake manifold and blow into it like you are blowing up a balloon. If you are able to continually push air into it, that's bad. Then again it's still possible you have a leak that only shows under higher pressures than your lungs create.
gen1pro
04-26-2006, 03:39 PM
spray your vaccuum lines with brake cleaner while the engine is running, if the idle suddenly raises, u found a leak

Ok I tried spraying the lines with brake cleaner and the cars idle didn't change at all. I also tried blowing into the hoses like peepsalot suggested and it was hard for me to do. So I'm guessing no leak in the hoses. I'll try some other suggestions that I read about.
peepsalot
04-26-2006, 03:43 PM
You haven't moved your wastegate source from it's stock position have you? There are a couple vacuum sources that will only give vacuum and not boost, because there are check valves in path.
gen1pro
04-26-2006, 04:29 PM
You haven't moved your wastegate source from it's stock position have you? There are a couple vacuum sources that will only give vacuum and not boost, because there are check valves in path.

I think thats what I did b/c when I turn the car on the piece that I un hooked had vacuum. I'll look again...I've attached some pics of my setup.
peepsalot
04-26-2006, 05:33 PM
Nice pics, but I still can't tell where the hell you tapped the wastegate source.

Basically there are two spots you don't want to use:
1. The source that goes to the VICS/VTCS solenoids
2. The brake booster line anywhere after the inline check valve. This valve is not clearly visible since it sits inside the tubing, but it can be felt as a hard lump in the line.

Tap from any other nipple on the manifold and you should be fine.