Please help me diagnose my boost problem

[Cattletrkr]

Because of This Problem I want to disable my wastegate if possible. Couldn't hit 30psi with Juice on Level 5 today, had trouble breaking 25psi. It did smoke a little going uphill with 31K in tow, but that might be normal for level 5 I dunno, never towed on level 5 before.



Can I somehow unhook something that will keep the wastegate closed? I know pretty much anything I unhook will set a code, but as long as it doesn't go into limp mode, a CEL doesn't bother me. There has never been a CEL associated with this and there are currently no codes in the odo.



The only thing I can figure out is that my wastegate is stuck open or something. This has been going on for two months. If my turbo were dead/dying I think it'd be gone by now.



Boost gauge flips right up to 23psi on any level 0 thru 5, but from there it's a struggle.

 

[Bodie]

Because of This Problem I want to disable my wastegate if possible. Couldn't hit 30psi with Juice on Level 5 today, had trouble breaking 25psi. It did smoke a little going uphill with 31K in tow, but that might be normal for level 5 I dunno, never towed on level 5 before.



Can I somehow unhook something that will keep the wastegate closed? I know pretty much anything I unhook will set a code, but as long as it doesn't go into limp mode, a CEL doesn't bother me. There has never been a CEL associated with this and there are currently no codes in the odo.



The only thing I can figure out is that my wastegate is stuck open or something. This has been going on for two months. If my turbo were dead/dying I think it'd be gone by now.







Boost gauge flips right up to 23psi on any level 0 thru 5, but from there it's a struggle.

What is the boost limit on the att set on? Check that and it should fix your problem... . if not get a quad boost fooler there only $70. I can make 50+lbs out of my stocker... ... not really a good thing but it will do it. Unpluging anything is not a good idea.

 

[JVolpe]

I have seen a couple of posts some time ago about the electric wastegate solenoid sticking. Seems like it was a simple take apart and clean sort of fix. I can't remember exactly. Maybe someone remembers or search, but I can't find them.

 

[KDillard]

Im in the same boat with ya on this one. Seems to really only do it when its cold outside. Atleast this is my case. I hope it really only is a dirty part with carbon build up. I think it may be from to much soot build up. Id hate to tear the turbo off and wind up not needing to.

 

[Cattletrkr]

I should have included This Thread in the first post as well. It started doing the low boost/high EGT about the same time.



I understand losing a little boost when cold weather sets in, I'm fully accustomed to that. But not losing 15psi. I could easily hit 38psi before with the Juice on 1 and even 34-35 with it on 0.



I asked the dealer when I had it in there if the wastegate could be sticking and the service manager said that should throw a code. I don't know enough about these turbos. Does the computer control the psi going to the wastegate through the hose and then from there it's a normal wastegate? If so, maybe the mechanical part is sticking. Anybody know how to check that?



Bodie, boost level is set at something like 50psi, it's not that simple.



The same problem exists on all power levels of either chip and even with them both on the shelf. It's not as obvious with them out, but the same 23psi seems to be about it in stock form also. I can push the boost closer to 30psi with th Juice cranked up a little, but it takes so long to get there I have to back out of it before things start melting... 1400+ real easily.



EDIT: I dont remember if it's mentioned in either of the other threads, but the truck is certainly not defueling. It's as strong and as fast as ever. It just gets too hot. . and yes, that also applies to stock fueling.

 

[Kday]

With my truck an 05 stock boost hits 31 then drops to 28-29 when the wastegate opens. With the Juice installed you lose you electronic wastegate(it's disabled) and boost can get over 40 if I disable the Juice's max boost setting. The boost control in the Juice only defuels at the set max boost chosen but doesn't open the wastegate. I am trying to find a manual boost controller to re-enable the wastegate so it doesn't defuel or blow up the turbo. Good luck.

 

[JHardwick]

This may/may not be your problem. But, I was experiencing low boost numbers along with high heat last fall. I found it to be the flexible boost boot coming off of the compressor housing. It was like this for a few weeks until it finally started a little "wheeze" right before I would up shift. Before that I had a suspicion, but could not find it.



I was in the Cuba, Mo area when I found it and stopped at the first big "C" I saw along 1-44. They sold me regular boost hose instead of the flimsy stuff that comes factory. It was a PIA to squeeze down in there, but it fixed my woes.

 

[Cattletrkr]

Dealer said they pressure tested the intake system when they had it in. Everything was good, no leaks.

 

[KDillard]

Anyone else got any ideas or are cattletrkr and I the only two on here that notice this with our boost guages?

 

[05mxdiesel]

I have noticed something in the past couple days that has me stumped. I am running a TST r39 without boost limit setting and did the wastegate mod that TST provides to keep the wastegate functioning. Well I have been hitting up to 40 psi now when I normally run 32-34 wot and then the wastegate opens and goes to 28-29 psi. This is confirmed by a manual boost guage as well. My thinking is the wastegate has stuck closed. I am going to check tommorow and see if it is stuck closed or not. Don't get me wrong the added psi is nice on the top end but I would like to keep the turbo working like it normally did stock until I can upgrade it.

 

[Mark1si]

I am having the same problem. All I can get is 26-30 psi. It just started doing this. No codes. Im lost.

 

[KDillard]

Is it the weather? Or is it the ECM? Or is it the Turbo? Or all three in conjunction?

 

[Kday]

A little off track but what mod does TST have to restore the wastegate mxdiesel?

 

[Mark1si]

Im guessin weather cause I called 2 of my friends and the have CTD also and they arent building boost when its this cold

 

[Cattletrkr]

I had the Juice/Attitude for the '05/06 winter and never had anything like this. I could be the weather, but it should have done this last year too if that's the case. Losing a little boost is normal, but 12-15psi outta 40 is not a little.



I replaced the FCA yesterday. Wed. when I got home the rail pressure gauge went down to 4K on idle and the truck was shaking significantly. It's done this occassionally the last few months. That's what prompted me to order the FCA. I'll know by tomorrow night if it helped the boost condition any.

 

[Mark1si]

FCA huh... . Ive noticed my RP drop to 3-4k at idle in gear sometimes

 

[Kday]

Well I read this post the other day and I was wondering what it could be. Last night my truck did the same thing except it would not do it on every run I could mat it and have it spike up to 38, slow down and run it again and hit 23? . It didn't seem to do it on level 0,1,2 but on level 3 it only boosted to 23, I'm almost thinking somehow that electronic wastegate is opening up from the Juice. I'll keep ya posted but I think the solution lies with going to a manual wastegate controller, I think it may be what 05mxdiesel has on his truck. At least we could then rule that out and run whatever boost were comfortable at.

 

[Cattletrkr]

Well I read this post the other day and I was wondering what it could be. Last night my truck did the same thing except it would not do it on every run I could mat it and have it spike up to 38, slow down and run it again and hit 23? . It didn't seem to do it on level 0,1,2 but on level 3 it only boosted to 23, I'm almost thinking somehow that electronic wastegate is opening up from the Juice. I'll keep ya posted but I think the solution lies with going to a manual wastegate controller, I think it may be what 05mxdiesel has on his truck. At least we could then rule that out and run whatever boost were comfortable at.

Mine started out intermittent, but for the last three weeks I haven't been able to break 30psi. Finally tonigh on one hill I nailed 38psi and everything went normal. Next application of the accelerator yielded the same old crap. . low boost/high EGT. I'm starting to think it has to be the turbo or something directly connected to it. I might try fiddling with the wastegate tomorrow since I don't have to work in the AM. I looked at it the other day, and the linkage is pretty rusty/corroded just like everything else under there.



What happens if I pinch off that hose going to the wastegate?



The FCA so far yielded me nothing. Rail psi is a lot more "stable" in that it doesn't bounce around as much. It still fell to under 5K when I got home. I wonder if that just isn't some inconsistancy in the sensor, gauge, or what??? Rail psi was as low today as it was the other day, but no shaking today, sounded/felt perfectly normal. I'm not saying my old FCA was OK, just that the new one didn't make everything right.

 

[Kday]

I believe if you pinch off the hose you disable the wastegate. What we need is to get an adjustable wastegate controller that I think TST used to supply. From what I understand all you do is supply boost to the wastegate actuator through an adjustable "valve" and set it at what psi we want. I'd like 35-36 which I think is about all the stocker can handle before getting out of it's efficiency map. Problem is I've called TST, Quad, II to no avail. Maybe one of these days I'll find a solution and pm ya.

 

[KDillard]

Well it finally got out of the 30's today and what do you know. Right back to 35psi. Every time I floored it too. No matter what level it was on. It was 50 degrees outside though. I have checked my RP though. I'll bring home my snap on scanner tomorrow and record the stuff then look at everything. Seams to me there is something to do with the air temp coming into the turbo . This morning it was 41 degrees when I left for work and boy was the drive in finally fun. I tried levels 1-1 through 5-1 and would hit 35 PSI every time. I'll test it all this week to see if it stays on the up side of this story!