Hi guys. We have a 2001 Bug Eye WRX, been super reliable for the 9 years we have owned it. But recently it has an intermittent problem, car is faultless with maximum power then for no apparent reason it loses all boost and sounds like a vacum cleaner under the bonnet. Pressing the throttle just makes it louder with no acceleration and car struggles to maintain even a cruise. Then it will just disappear and go back to normal and give full power? Also sometimes it will do it slightly, just a faint Hoover noise but reasonable power. I am thinking something like the wastegate or a dump valve sticking open in the system? Not too sure exactly what I have under the bonnet, turbos are not my area of expertise! Thanks in advance if anyone can be of help.

Lee

 

Just to add car is to my knowledge 100% as it left the factory

 

The WRX's have a catalyst in the up pipe that fractures internally and the cone core twists under load and sometimes the holes in the cat lines up and sometimes they block.

That could be the problem. difficult to diagnose random faults by internet but what you describe seems it could be the cat.

David APi