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-   -   Low boost issue, need to know what to do next (http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-944-turbo-turbo-s/794454-low-boost-issue-need-know-what-do-next.html)

kdjones2000 10-30-2019 07:38 AM

If you pinch off the hose going directly to the WG, you should be able to get boost up to whatever will grenade your engine, even with a stock WG setup.

Sounds like either your WG has failed, or your crossover pipe has collapsed.

How does the engine run when on boost? If it's choking, then it's likely the crossover. If not, then I would look at the WG.

Mike Goebel 10-30-2019 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kdjones2000 (Post 10640886)
If you pinch off the hose going directly to the WG, you should be able to get boost up to whatever will grenade your engine, even with a stock WG setup.

Good to know as I get about 1.8 BAR fully pinched off.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kdjones2000 (Post 10640886)
Sounds like either your WG has failed, or your crossover pipe has collapsed.

How does the engine run when on boost? If it's choking, then it's likely the crossover. If not, then I would look at the WG.

Checked WG and its good 5psi to open 11psi fully open. The only thing I haven't checked is the Crossover and the CAT pipe!!! :mad: I had the Downpipe off 400 miles ago and it looks perfect! Engine does not choke on hard acceleration.

Thanks
Mike G.

Mike Goebel 11-01-2019 08:27 AM

Used an endoscope for iPhone and here is what the Crossover pipe looks like going in from the Waste Gate "T". Looks good but its kinda difficult to get a good view farther down the pipe.

https://mikegoebel.smugmug.com/944-Pix/i-B8drTdg/A

P.S. I've got an aftermarket CAT. Are these typically straight thru? If so I'm going to try the scope going from the rear of the car.

Why doesn't it show my pic. I attached it with IMG from smugmug???

Thanks
Mike G.

Mike Goebel 11-01-2019 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Goebel (Post 10643217)
P.S. I've got an aftermarket CAT. Are these typically straight thru? If so I'm going to try the scope going from the rear of the car.

FYI CATs don't go thru!! :D

Thanks
Mike G.

chip18 11-02-2019 01:18 PM

LOL ... but seriously a scope is not gonna work?? If you constantly run rich at part throttle and idle, you'll cook it!

But a lot of crap would have had to been blown out for you to see daylight thru one??? I doubt that ever happens but if the honeycomb structure has broken down it will tend to rattle over bumps and stuff??

Anyway ... here's a good clip and most likely more that you wanted to know.?? :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9ju2rZ8YmM

Mike Goebel 11-02-2019 02:08 PM

I'm going to try something else now. I'm going to put a vacuum on the WG hose to insure the WG is not opening at all or much less. I still believe that the WG is the culprit even tho it tested ok with 5 psi to open and 10 psi full open condition.


Thanks
Mike G.

Mike Goebel 11-03-2019 10:19 AM

Lazy mans update!

I unplugged the power to the CV and 1 BAR absolute was achieved. So I still thinks its the wastegate! Just not ready to dump $450 into a trail test!

Thanks
Mike G.

chip18 11-03-2019 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Goebel (Post 10643217)
Used an endoscope for iPhone and here is what the Crossover pipe looks like going in from the Waste Gate "T". Looks good but its kinda difficult to get a good view farther down the pipe.

https://mikegoebel.smugmug.com/944-Pix/i-B8drTdg/A

P.S. I've got an aftermarket CAT. Are these typically straight thru? If so I'm going to try the scope going from the rear of the car.

Why doesn't it show my pic. I attached it with IMG from smugmug???

Thanks
Mike G.

I think on here you have to use the "Click Here to Upload Photos" button where it says attach a photo?? I've done it and it seems to work fine. :)

Mike Goebel 11-03-2019 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chip18 (Post 10645381)
I think on here you have to use the "Click Here to Upload Photos" button where it says attach a photo?? I've done it and it seems to work fine. :)



http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1572822338.jpg

DOH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Crossover pipe looking from WG "T" off towards Turbo!!

Thanks

Mike G.

Mike Goebel 11-03-2019 03:15 PM

Just ran a test pulling 15in of vacuum on the WG hose to help keep the WG valve closed. Makes a huge difference. Can reach 2 BAR absolute easy!!! Tried to keep it to 1.8 in 1 ,2, 3 gears. Makes me think the WG is the culprit!! BOO!!!

Thanks
Mike G.

dme 11-15-2019 09:44 AM

You can always add shims to help tighten the springs. A manual boost controller shouldn't even let the WG see boost till you near your desired level.

Mike Goebel 11-15-2019 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dme (Post 10658521)
A manual boost controller shouldn't even let the WG see boost till you near your desired level.

I was thinking about this and I came to the conclusion that I wouldn't be able to reach my desired boost level even with a MBC. Reason is that I've already pinched off the WG hose and still could barely reach the 1.8-2 BAR. So its either a WG spring that sagged or the CAT pipe. I'm going to try to get my **** together this weekend and check the CAT pipe.


Thanks
Mike G.

Mike Goebel 11-21-2019 06:44 PM

Added 1/8 inch shim to WG and now getting about 1.6 BAR. Need to test on fwy tomorrow morning in higher gears. BTW there is a noticeable difference in acceleration. Wouldn't have thought so.

Thanks
Mike G.

soxnail 11-30-2019 08:07 AM

Had similar issue, was a clogged catalyst.
Sox

Mike Goebel 12-02-2019 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soxnail (Post 10674084)
Had similar issue, was a clogged catalyst.
Sox

The Cat has less than a 1000 miles on it :mad:

Thanks
Mike G.

Mike Goebel 12-08-2019 08:42 AM

Added another shim for a total of 1/4 inch!!! Still didn't reach 1.8 BAR!!!

BOO!!

Thanks
Mike G.

dme 12-08-2019 10:17 AM

I picked up an OEM waste gate off of eBay that had 5 shims on it!

DannoXYZ 12-09-2019 10:03 AM

Mike's wastegate is fine, one of the best stock ones I've ever seen. Tests fine. It's not issue. With this strong of wastegate, pinching off line should generate 20-25psi boost no problem!

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=d...QLkfRLqY-ivvf4

Problem is there's excessive exhaust backpressure forcing wastegate open or turbo to not spin.

- Either crossover is collapsed. Most likely issue as I've replaced over 5 of these over the years.
- exhaust clogged, not likely. Modern cats are ceramic and do not melt with heat to cause restriction.
- or turbo is worn-out with dragging bearings or wobbling has caused extra clearance at edge of blades. This could be possibility.

Grab turbo's axle and wiggle it up & down. How much radial-play do you feel?

Mike Goebel 12-09-2019 03:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DannoXYZ (Post 10683283)
- Either crossover is collapsed. Most likely issue as I've replaced over 5 of these over the years.

Looked as far as I could with a bore scope on my cell phone and it looked ok, but I guess I need to take it off and really check it out. Unless there's another way to do a lazy A$$ check!

Quote:

Originally Posted by DannoXYZ (Post 10683283)
Grab turbo's axle and wiggle it up & down. How much radial-play do you feel?

Turbo rebuilt by evergreen less than a 1000 miles ago!

This is starting to wear me down a bit!!

Thanks
Mike G.

91cab 12-11-2019 12:18 PM

Just because the turbo was rebuilt recently does not mean it is in good condition. I have had new parts that are bad right out of the box. The best rebuilders do make mistakes. Or maybe something went through the exhaust and damaged the turbo. Remove the j boot and look at the blades, also try and wiggle the shaft - both right - left and in - out. While the j boot is off check it for any cracks.
I would do a pressurized leak test to check for vacuum leaks. If you have a big leak you will never get full boost. With wastegate out of the picture you should run unlimited boost. Since you are not it comes down to turbo working properly or air leak or restriction.[img]http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploads2
6/20191211_1612351576098852.jpg[/img]
Here you can see a split in the bottom of the hose coming from the aos into the j boot. Not visable, but will cause slow spool and low boost. Visual inspection is not good enough.

Mike Goebel 12-11-2019 01:05 PM

Unfortunately I have done all those checks and all hose are all brand new. Same boost level before turbo was rebuilt and after!

The only thing left is the exhaust so it comes off tonight.

Thanks
Mike G.

Mike Goebel 12-16-2019 03:49 PM

Well didn't have time to remove exhaust. But I'm going to use the port on the crossover pipe to see what the backpressure actually is. Then remove the exhaust if the exh press is more than 2:1 to boost press.

Thanks
Mike G.

soxnail 12-21-2019 01:57 PM

Mike re-reading the whole thing again....
Since you have proven that with the WG held closed (vacuum) the car makes 2 + bars (14+ psi) your turbo is not likely to be the issue.
Let me get this right in my head:
Tube to WG pinched of you get 1.4 or so ?
WG held by applying vacuum you get 2+ bars ?
Looks like enough pressure is backing up in the turbo side of the WG to push it open because the air flow to you exhaust is limited IMHO. Sone where you have a partial blockage.
Sox

Mike Goebel 12-21-2019 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by soxnail (Post 10695825)
Looks like enough pressure is backing up in the turbo side of the WG to push it open because the air flow to you exhaust is limited IMHO. Some where you have a partial blockage.
Sox

Yes to all questions and I want to check the back pressure but that damn port has stripped threads.

Mike G.

Mike Goebel 12-22-2019 10:25 AM

Well put a hokey BOSCH pressure gauge with a home made adapter (lug Nut) on the crossover and I get a shaky reading of about 20 psi. It reads pretty smoothly to 15 psi and then the needle jumps all over the place but will go past 20 psi which is the max on the gauge.

What should a K26/8 stock get for back pressure at a max boost of about 1.6 BAR?

BP/Int = 9psi/15psi



Thanks
Mike G.

Mike Goebel 12-24-2019 12:50 PM

Got my VDO 30 psi gauge, early for xmas hehe, and installed it. Guess what, 22 psi exh BP on the crossover pipe. For boost checking, using the stock gauge but I did check it before and it was ok.

So actually now I have BP/Boost = 22/9 = 2.4ish!!! DOH!!

Thanks
Mike G.

DannoXYZ 12-26-2019 09:28 AM

With Laust's car at 25-psi for over 2-decades now, we were seeing 45-50psi in crossover, sometimes 60+ if getting on WOT quickly at low-RPMs.

So your 22psi is high for K26/8, slightly high for K26/6 @ 9psi boost. Only getting 9psi boost may be sign that turbo's working too hard to generate this boost level.

At this point, we've narrowed down to some possibilities:

- clogged crossover, passing golf-ball through is rough estimate. If you can, borescrope entire length from header-flange to crossover for each cylinder. Then examine after merge to downpipe.

- worn-out turbo. Would need to get optical RPM-gauge and see how fast it's really spinning and where that ends up on compressor-map. I've seen many "rebuilt" turbos come back out-of-balance with pre-worn bearings. You can use dial-indicator to measure actual radial & axial runout. Also post picture with camera aimed directly into intake to see how much clearance there is at blade tips.

- intake-leak would also over-drive turbo with loss of boost. Clamp from J-pipe to inlet is common place for leaks. Also rips underneath J-pipe is common. Compressor-bypass valve can leak boost back to intake. I prefer sideways inlet so boost can't force valve open. I think Forge valve can be installed this way. It also has replaceable spring to allow stiffer spring. Although I think 993 unit works just fine. Conical hose going into throttle-body can slip off, examine it 360-degrees around where it clamps to TB. Do pressure-test with bubbles to find intake-leaks:
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-924-944-968-technical-forum/769323-vacuum-leaks.html
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/porsche-924-944-968-technical-forum/759766-afm-issue.html

- push/pull EBC for factory-wastegate. You can use 3-port metal boost-controller solenoid with one port attached to vacuum to increase wastegate-valve clamping like you did manually. This does appear to work to countreact crossover pressure and is used in high-boost applications such as Supra 2JZ-GTE engines with 45+psi boost.
- stiffer wastegate spring. I have procedure to increase spring-rate/preload of factory wastegate. Used in 25+psi applications. Laust also has mod to vent exhaust to pressure-side of diaphragm chamber that works well. But I think this just compensates for high crossover pressure in this situation.

https://drive.google.com/uc?export=d...PXCmVI2iDrVpAp
https://drive.google.com/uc?export=d...Ggjz2c6Njanb4y

soxnail 12-27-2019 02:05 PM

Danno,
Just so that I am following you...

"With Laust's car at 25-psi for over 2-decades now, we were seeing 45-50psi in crossover, "

The 45-50 psi quoted was at the intake (exhaust) to the turbo from the engine ? Not from Turbo to WG ?

The pressure measured at the WG inlet (exhaust) on my car starts to push the WG valve/piston open at 22psi. With 0.2 inch shims it goes up to 25 Plus psi.
At that point I get about 11 to 12 psi boost.
Sox

Mike Goebel 12-28-2019 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DannoXYZ (Post 10699443)
intake-leak would also over-drive turbo with loss of boost. Clamp from J-pipe to inlet is common place for leaks. Also rips underneath J-pipe is common. Compressor-bypass valve can leak boost back to intake.

How does a leak in the J-boot effect boost? I thought that the J-boot would always be under vacuum??? Also the J-Boot is brand new but I will check all the connections and do the bubble leak test there too. Compressor-bypass valve (BOV?) is also brand new and checked out ok.

The biggest air leaks I've found so far are the connector pins on the CV and on the IAC. Seems pretty lame to leak there!!!! I'm going to epoxy those areas and double check them with bubble spray.

Finally I really will remove the exhaust and check the entire damn thing.

Thanks
Mike G.

Mike Goebel 12-30-2019 07:31 AM

Took off CATPipe And tried to look down it with my crappy borescope on my iPhone. It was pretty tough to figure out anything from that. So I threw a ping-pong ball down the pipe and it stopped about 18 inches away from the flange. But to me it doesn’t seem like such a huge restriction especially when I look at the picture of the exterior of the pipe with the ping-pong ball laying next to it for reference.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1577723208.jpg



http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1577723939.jpg

nize 12-31-2019 07:40 AM

what about the rest of the exhaust from the turbo to the tailpipe?
what about the exhaust manifolds from the head to the crossover?

Mike Goebel 12-31-2019 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nize (Post 10704106)
what about the rest of the exhaust from the turbo to the tailpipe?
what about the exhaust manifolds from the head to the crossover?

Still working up to taking the crossover pipe off. I think that I’m just going to borescope the headers and hopefully be able to tell what the Hecks going on there. Do the headers ever collapse? I can see pretty good up the downpipe and it looks OK. I had it off about little over 1000 miles ago and it looked good too.

Mike G.

Mike Goebel 01-01-2020 10:21 AM

OMG I genuinely hate that crossover pipe! The ping pong ball rolls Through the pipe as freely as a dove in flight.

BOO!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1577915051.jpg

Used borescope with ping pong ball. Looks perfectly round all the way trough in crossover pipe.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1577923316.jpg

BOO!

Borescoped headers and perfectly round!

BOO!

Borescoped Fabspeed cat back and muffler. Perfect!

BOO!

Here’s a shot of the compressor using borescope. BTW when I received rebuilt Turbo there was zero play radially and axially! Smooth as butta. No change in performance from first install to 1000 miles of driving.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1577924849.jpg

Mike G.

Mike Goebel 01-01-2020 03:07 PM

Let’s say I did have a serious intake leak would the vacuum gauge read more than the 17in hg I see currently?

Mike G.

kdjones2000 01-01-2020 06:56 PM

There have been some rare cases where the cat pipe has collapsed between the downpipe and the cat, leading to boost issues, which your ping pong ball suggests may be an issue. Clogged cats as well. Have you checked for those, as Nize says?

Also, the stock blow-off valve frequently fails. I would suggest getting a good quality aftermarket one to eliminate that variable.

Mike Goebel 01-01-2020 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kdjones2000 (Post 10705599)
There have been some rare cases where the cat pipe has collapsed between the downpipe and the cat, leading to boost issues, which your ping pong ball suggests may be an issue. Clogged cats as well. Have you checked for those, as Nize says?

It is still possible that the cat pipe has a reduced cross-section area close to the CAT. It was difficult to get the camera all the way to the CAT. However I did finally get the camera all the way to the CAT and could see the mesh. I either need to cut the pipe off close to the CAT or purchase a test pipe. I might cut the pipe tomorrow and see what gives! Need to purchase a welder next!! hehehe

Quote:

Originally Posted by kdjones2000 (Post 10705599)
Also, the stock blow-off valve frequently fails. I would suggest getting a good quality aftermarket one to eliminate that variable.

Brand new stock one!!! BOO!

Thanks
Mike G.

DannoXYZ 01-03-2020 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Goebel (Post 10701183)
How does a leak in the J-boot effect boost? I thought that the J-boot would always be under vacuum??? Also the J-Boot is brand new but I will check all the connections and do the bubble leak test there too. Compressor-bypass valve (BOV?) is also brand new and checked out ok.

The biggest air leaks I've found so far are the connector pins on the CV and on the IAC. Seems pretty lame to leak there!!!! I'm going to epoxy those areas and double check them with bubble spray.

Finally I really will remove the exhaust and check the entire damn thing.

Thanks
Mike G.

Duh! Sorry, J-boot is ahead of turbo, so any leaks there will just draw in unfiltered air and cause AFM-reading issues. But not leak boost.

Epoxy or aquarium-grade silicone will seal CV and IAC leaks nicely.

DannoXYZ 01-03-2020 08:43 AM

One area that hasn't been examined is intercooler. It can collect LOTS of oil over time, especially with worn-out turbo. Take it out and flush with solvent backwards.

Also, design defect from Porsche is tapping boost-pressure BEFORE intercooler. Better to tap into intake-tract AFTER intercooler for boost-signal to control gauge and wastegate. Problem with before intercooler is it doesn't account for boost-drop through intercooler. This can be 2-4psi and results in dropping boost with RPM because it doesn't account for drop through intercooler.

Even with Tial wastegate, you end up with 2-3psi drop in boost in upper-RPMs because boost-controller isn't aware of variable boost-drop through intercooler (higher psi drop in upper-RPMs). I've got datalog of boost with Tial somewhere. You don't see the boost-drop on gauge because most gauges are fluid-filled or have damping and doesn't show the drop.

soxnail 01-03-2020 03:23 PM

"Just ran a test pulling 15in of vacuum on the WG hose to help keep the WG valve closed. Makes a huge difference. Can reach 2 BAR absolute easy!!! Tried to keep it to 1.8 in 1 ,2, 3 gears. Makes me think the WG is the culprit!! BOO!!!"

Mike if the WG being pulled shut (Vac) gets you 2 bars easy (14.7 psi) then I would say you have enough air flow thru the system to make 2 bars...
The Wg is letting go. If you read my WG test thread you will notice that my shimmed WG starts to open at 22 psi applied to the valve (from the exhaust side). If you have pinched off the line to the WG then you have removed the KLR control. The only thing opening the WG is the exhaust pressure.
I am at this point trying to figure out what that pressure should be...
Obviously the turbo in series with the exhaust puts some back pressure. I am going to go for loud test..
Straight pipe from before the cat, and see what pressures I get at the WG.
will post in my WG test thread.
Sox

Mike Goebel 01-03-2020 05:38 PM

Thanks guys!

I'm going to do that same test that you did on the WG Soxnail and I'll also check the IC for clogdness.

Looking forward to hearing what the backpressure is without the CAT and stuff.

Thanks
Mike G.


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