Hey guys, here is my setup:

d16y8
.42/.48 Garret T3
2.5" dp
junkyard charge pipes
6.5 psi external TiAL wastegate

I had a lot of problems with boost leaks and stuff blowing in the charge pipes, but this most recent incident was less noticable, but now my turbo spools very slowly, it doesnt hit full boost till like 5500 rpm. I of course automatically thought charge pipes, but i looked at all of them and they look fine.

My question is, what other factors could be causing this? this is what I have been told:

wastegate leaking (how do you tell with a TiAL external?)
boost/charge piping leak (could be possible still, i'm gonna do more checks)
seized turbo (doubt it, still spins and hits full boost, just later)

then i was thinking, could it be this?

i blew my engine (I really doubt that, but if i blew a cylinder, would that cause this? but wouldnt i also be losing oil like mad? I will do a compression check)

any help would be GREATLY appreaciated, and let me know if you need more info.

 

turbo is prolly shot...

 

see i thought that too for a while, but it still spins smooth, and does spool the full 6.5 psi, just takes longer. heck, at idle the rotor is spinning pretty fast. so there isnt any huge seizing going on.

 

any leaks near the wastegate?

 

Leaking BOV
Leaking WG
Leaking Charge pipes
Turbo wheels coming in contact with housings

I have a .42 A/R T3 and I have full boost (8.5 lbs) by 3800 rpm on my A6.

 

how can i tell if the bov is leaking?
how can i tell if a tial is leaking?

 

Your tial probably isn't leaking... unless your another one who forgot the "fire ring" that seals the valve...

is your turbo --> manifold connection good and free of leaks?

If those things are all set, then it IS your charge pipes, intercooler, or a leaking BOV.

Matt

 

Definitely check the charge piping, on my first test drive after fixing all the oil leaks I blew the BOV out of the charge piping. I still made 2psi from like 5k up...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by 96-EJ6 B18C &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Leaking BOV
Leaking WG
Leaking Charge pipes
Turbo wheels coming in contact with housings

I have a .42 A/R T3 and I have full boost (8.5 lbs) by 3800 rpm on my A6. </TD></TR></TABLE>

You should be making 8.5 by 3000 at the latest. I have a 50 trim t3 with a .63 a/r turbine and I make 11-12 by 3200 in 3rd. maybe YOU have a leak

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by s1ngle &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">see i thought that too for a while, but it still spins smooth, and does spool the full 6.5 psi, just takes longer. heck, at idle the rotor is spinning pretty fast. so there isnt any huge seizing going on.</TD></TR></TABLE>

It doesn't mean its seized....the seals could be shot...i had a turbo with bad seals on my car..It hit full boost about 6k rpm's...i swapped it out for a LARGER turbo in good shape and was hitting full boost @ 4500. It made a world of a difference...Im guessing your turbo came outa a junkyard. You never know what your getting with those... good luck

 

actually my turbo did come out of a junkyard, but it was boosting fine before this little mysterious problem.

 

I have never had a junkyard turbo with reasonable shaft play not spool correctly. If it's not scraping it should be fine. Even if it leaks a little oil I don't think you shouldn't notice a change in spool.

 

its not scraping, it seems to be fine.

 

try starting up the car with the engine stone cold. You will be able to see any leaks before the turbo more easily. search on here for how to make a charge pipe pressure tester. it's easy and cheap.

 

yep, thats gonna be my project for this weekend if i dont solve it beforehand.

 

update - I fixed any possible leak in my charge piping. everything is sealed like a ****. I checked my intercooler too, no detectable leaks whatsoever. I did a compression test, normal compression. i checked to make sure each cylinder was getting spark, they all are.