WTF with my Turbo
10-31-2010, 10:26 PM
#1
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Join Date: 10-19-2009
Location: new england
Posts: 18
WTF with my Turbo
I've got a 2008 SS 5 speed with 64k. I bought it with 8k on it so I know all the bugs etc etc. Lately my car has been a little whackey with the turbo. 2-3 months ago I noticed a sputter intermitently on hard accel. That still happens sometimes but what has been really really strange is 2 weeks ago; for some strange reason my turbo gauge has been going up to 21 psi on hard accel. I have never been over 14-15 psi.....EVER!!!!!!! I'm pretty used to the car and I'm pretty much over the stoutness of the car like getting on the interstate and down shifting to pass etc. I mean the thrill is gone for the most part. However, 2 weeks ago when I down shifted to pass I thought HOLY $HIT!!!!!!! I didn't notice the gauge yet but then a day or two later I happened to see my gauge on hard accel and it shot to 21 psi and the car just took off. It was fantastic but didn't last long. Fast forward to yesterday and it's doing it again. There is no turbo kit or mods. It's as plain as day and I can actually feel the ummph if you will but who knows if it will last. WTF is that?!?!?!?! How can this be? I'm trying to snap a photo with my blackberry to show everyone. Some days I can't hit 10 psi and then somedays I'm apparently hitting 21 psi. Is my turbo dying?
11-01-2010, 09:06 AM
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: 03-11-2009
Location: WI
Posts: 327
Sounds more like the BOV getting stuck to your benefit.
That's what controls how much boost you will run. Now, why the 'puter isn't downgrading your power would be the real question in your case.
11-01-2010, 09:40 AM
#4
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Join Date: 12-06-2009
Location: Alabama
Posts: 11,130
Don't think plugs have anything to do with the OP's issue. My ? is why are you on your third set at 32K miles? Sounds like you have a problem if you are replacing plugs this often. Tuned and adjusted correctly,plugs should last much longer than that.
11-01-2010, 01:52 PM
#5
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Join Date: 06-20-2008
Location: Chi-Towns burbs
Posts: 1,682
Wel my stock ones ran to about 24k and like 10k of that was tuned. Then I went to a step colder plugs and those ur supposed to swap like every 5k and thats right around what i did on them. Im back to the stock ones now. I beat the **** out of my car and have a very good tune on it.
The OP does have the problem of "sputtering intermitently on hard acceleration".Its in the first two lines. I had the same problem and my plugs were shot. I would check that out. Its a cheap fast fix. hes running over 60k on stock plugs. It will be a nice suprise when he pulls them.
The OP does have the problem of "sputtering intermitently on hard acceleration".Its in the first two lines. I had the same problem and my plugs were shot. I would check that out. Its a cheap fast fix. hes running over 60k on stock plugs. It will be a nice suprise when he pulls them.
11-01-2010, 02:50 PM
#6
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Join Date: 12-06-2009
Location: Alabama
Posts: 11,130
BartSS.Yes,I saw the part about the sputtering but the main problem he is talking about is the boost pressure. The OP might need new plugs,might not,but plugs aren't going to fix his boost issue. ECM,BOV,or something else is acting up. "Free Boost Pressure" is nice but also means that he has a problem to fix. Sorry but turbo diagnostics is not my specialty.
11-01-2010, 04:34 PM
#8
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Join Date: 10-19-2009
Location: new england
Posts: 18
Well I pounded on it a little today and it's just strange. Today I got a little of both. I hit the gas, the turbo shoots to 10 and flat lines there and suddenly WHAMO surges up to 20-21 and it takes off and the low traction flashes so I know it's putting down the power. There is something wrong for sure because I hit it a bunch of times today and it hits 10 psi and there's no umph at all (sometimes). In fact you can feel the car lag in your foot on the gas pedal and then it shoots up. Certainly not all the time does it hit 20+ but it did a bunch of times today. Most of the time its the typical 14 psi and no studder at all. I dunno. It's fun...I can tell you that much. If stage 1 puts you at 24 psi like I've heard then I think I'm going to do that. The car has a ton of snot when it shoots up like that. The down side is I'm waiting to hear that "pop" everyone talks about when they just lost their turbo.
11-01-2010, 08:39 PM
#9
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Join Date: 05-13-2008
Location: Knoxville, TN
Posts: 2,075
Funny how a turbo is like a speaker... a speaker always sounds the best right before it blows! Hope you don't get a "pop" but if you want to see what to expect there is a nice video on youtube showing an intstant flamejob to an SS
11-02-2010, 07:06 AM
#10
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Join Date: 06-20-2008
Location: Chi-Towns burbs
Posts: 1,682
Well I pounded on it a little today and it's just strange. Today I got a little of both. I hit the gas, the turbo shoots to 10 and flat lines there and suddenly WHAMO surges up to 20-21 and it takes off and the low traction flashes so I know it's putting down the power. There is something wrong for sure because I hit it a bunch of times today and it hits 10 psi and there's no umph at all (sometimes). In fact you can feel the car lag in your foot on the gas pedal and then it shoots up. Certainly not all the time does it hit 20+ but it did a bunch of times today. Most of the time its the typical 14 psi and no studder at all. I dunno. It's fun...I can tell you that much. If stage 1 puts you at 24 psi like I've heard then I think I'm going to do that. The car has a ton of snot when it shoots up like that. The down side is I'm waiting to hear that "pop" everyone talks about when they just lost their turbo.