optimus

Sorry for all the posts people but all the help really is appreciated...

I noticed recently my car was down on power just didn't feel the same, I've changed my boost gauge as I was sure it was under reading and its confirmed that she's only boosting to 10psi.

Car is a 95 WRX, z4 Ecu, has a decat fitted now but this issue was present before.

Symptoms:

Car pulls well throughout the rev range, all the way upto 7ish with no rattles, noises or misfiring but just holds a solid 10psi all the way (well it creeped to 11psi once at very high revs)

No loud turbo leak noises coming from the engine from what I can tell, decat and exhaust are all sealed up nicely no leaks etc...have tried to look for splits in pipes but cant see anything standing out.

Can someone just confirm I'm looking in the right places...

Has a VTA dump valve which I have blanked off no change.

My next plan is to clean the boost solenoid and then adjust the actuator-could it be a loose wastegate flap?

Its just strange that it drives nicely, and doesn't fluctuate on boost, its like its just decided 10psi is what it should be now?

thanks again,

Tidgy

sure its just yor not used to it and hot weather has raised inlet temps so power has come down cos of atmospherics?

optimus

It could be that but to loose 3psi which in turbo terms (or at least from experience) counts for quite a bit more oomph? I rememeber a few psi on my Celica was a massive change. Surely the downpipe would cause creep if anything and thus a little more if anything?

Its not slow but it's definitely down on power...

Thank you

Tidgy

ah so its dropped boost?

FMJ

iTrader: (2)

I notice boost drop about 2 PSI in the summer compared to the winter.

optimus

I'm confident it has lost boost, I think I'll adjust the wastegate a little and see if that has any effect as Ideally I would like to maintain the o.e control solenoid rather than cranking up the boost with a bleed valve or the like.

Its frustrating as its not dog slow its just a bit limp...

edsel

iTrader: (2)

Squirt carb cleaner through all three ports on the boost solenoid until it runs through clean. You might also want to check the intercooler and vacuum pipes for splits and leaks.
When mine started losing boost it was an intercooler pipe blown off (FMIC) and Ive had to clean the boost solenoid twice when it would only boost to 1/2 bar.
As mentioned above outside temps can have affect and early cars do not have the most effective intercoolers.