I have a electronic boost controller and a actual boost gauge in the car. (Stock 9b's. Vac reduction/block off plates)
It's set to-
start boost 9psi (when wastegates are supposed to start opening)
Gain 38% (how fast the wastegates open)
Target boost set to 12 psi
Before I was holding in the 10-11psi range steady and spiking in the high 12's-low 13's.
I walked into a store last week and when I came back out and ever since I'm now only holding 7-9psi with the same settings and spiking no more than 10.5 and that 10.5 usually only happens on the first or second boost of my cruise. I made it boost a little higher by cranking up the boost setting to 13-13.5 but it backfired afterward. (running to rich?)
So, I just bought a 3sx pressure tester. When using a 12v tire pump I found a couple small leaks and fixed them (all i could find with such low pressure-biss screw/vaccum cap where the clutch booster was/BOV... and had already replaced my rear turbos intercooler pipe o-ring) but I'm still having the same issue. The tire compressor won't build any decent amount of pressure to do a real test so I need to get my hands on more air power, I know.
Until then, anyone have any ideas? Bad boost controller solenoid? Wastegates not sealing right? Or just a random boost leak that suddenly opened up?
I wouldn't think a turbo went bad. The car still doesn't smoke at all (rare for a 3/S) nor is there oil in my intercooler pipes. Also, the turbos sound fine...there's no whining sound or anything weird or different.
Someone, please tell me a boost leak could cause my car to still be able to hold a pressure that's steady because that's exactly what it does....it's just less now.
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