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Old 12-21-2012, 01:13 PM   #1
dse37
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Default New 2002 WRX owner question, boost issues

Hey all, new 2002 WRX owner here coming from the diesel world! Had to sell the Cummins because it was starting to rust badly (Dodge crap) and could no longer stand the investment just driving the thing around (fuel costs). That being said I know my way around a turbocharged vehicle.

My question is that for some reason even when under acceleration my OEM boost gauge is reading vacuum until I really get on the skinny pedal...I know this isn't possible. At max I think it is reading 6-7 psi. This car is bone stock. Is it likely that the boost gauge is bad? Looking in the engine bay it seems that the line going to the boost gauge has a frayed end and didn't have a clamp or anything to attach it to the T-joint. I believe it is coming off the the BPV. If this joint was leaking badly shouldn't the boost gauge be reading nearly -14.7 psi (or 14 psi vacuum) at idle since what we see on the gauge is a psi-gage reading rather than absolute pressure? Seems funny to me that it reads 3-6 psi vacuum most of the time until hard acceleration. Perhaps someone has ran into this problem before and could shed some light? I don't think I can post pics yet because this is my first post.

Thanks for any help!

Car:
2002 WRB WRX
120,000 miles
5 speed
Bone Stock
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Old 12-21-2012, 01:23 PM   #2
Unabomber
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If the line is janky, your readings are janky. Replace that hose or fix it, THEN restate your question as for right now, you will be chasing your ******* to get to your elbow.
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Old 12-21-2012, 01:28 PM   #3
Navendra94
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^ this. Happy End of the World!
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Old 12-21-2012, 02:25 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Navendra94 View Post
^ this. Happy End of the World!
You're a little late to the party. The world should've ended several hours ago (stupid mayans...)

OP, definitely report back to us once you replace that frayed hose. Boost leaks are no fun
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Old 12-21-2012, 02:42 PM   #5
Navendra94
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr Wrex View Post
You're a little late to the party. The world should've ended several hours ago (stupid mayans...)

OP, definitely report back to us once you replace that frayed hose. Boost leaks are no fun
But... I drank cyanide :S
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Old 12-21-2012, 02:45 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Navendra94 View Post
But... I drank cyanide :S
Party foul, son
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Old 12-21-2012, 02:56 PM   #7
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Or you might have a boost leak
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Old 12-21-2012, 03:02 PM   #8
Mr Wrex
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Quote:
Originally Posted by b4Legacy02 View Post
Or you might have a boost leak
OP already stated he saw a frayed hose in the engine bay
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Old 12-21-2012, 04:28 PM   #9
dse37
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I appreciate the replies guys, I tried on another forum (not to be named) that provided no help whatsoever about a week ago. I think I know which forum I'll be sticking around from now on!

Anywho, I replaced the lines as suggested and I have not taken it out for a spin yet as its snowing right now but I am seeing about 0.06 MPa vacuum at idle (~17 inHg). Does this seem right? For some reason the person I bought this off of seemed to have poorly installed the OEM boost gauge himself (at least I hope it wasn't Subaru) by cutting the end of 1/8" ID hose and jamming it onto a tapered 1/4" hose barb without a clamp

Also, I can't really find a search result for this but the moron also mounted the boost gauge crooked. Does this have an adverse effect on the performance of the gauge? By crooked I mean that if it were a clock, and 12 was supposed to be at the top, it was mounted such that 9 or 10 would be at the top of the gauge.

Again, really appreciate the help!
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Old 12-21-2012, 09:15 PM   #10
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The gauge does nothing more than display the boost reading from the sensor, which should be located in your engine bay. I emphasize the word should because you haven't spoken highly of the previous owner and who knows what kind of shoddy job he/she did when installing it
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Old 12-21-2012, 09:28 PM   #11
dse37
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I may be wrong but I think those cheap OEM gauges are mechanical boost gauges so I don't think that there is a "sensor" to speak of but a line that comes from the engine bay carrying the pressure that we want to monitor. I don't know exactly how a mechanical boost gauge works but I'm guessing said pressure deflects a spring mechanism of some type and the needle moves. But I imagine the same logic applies to it as well, that orientation doesn't matter, perhaps it was a stupid question to ask. Thanks for the response though!
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Old 12-22-2012, 12:19 AM   #12
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A mechanical boost gauge works just as any Pressure gauge works, quite literally you could put a gauge from an air compressor on your car and it would work just the same. If its a cheap mechanical gauge pull it out and check to make sure its not bulged in any way (I've personally had this problem). If it is, usually means the internals of the gauge are shot. I would also suggest a boost leak test, I know you replaced the frayed line but if any of the cupplers are leaking or the seals are bad in the turbo that can cause sporadic Boost and vacuum readings.

Last edited by swappedwagon; 12-22-2012 at 12:24 AM.
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Old 12-23-2012, 03:23 PM   #13
Rob Grim 02 bugeye
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I have a 02 bugeye also and mine did the same thing but it was my wastegate acuator, i put a new one on and fixed.
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Old 12-24-2012, 04:24 PM   #14
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How much was a new wastgate and where did you get it? Was your boost sporadic or just in vacuum alot and broke into positive boost when you got on it pretty hard? Mine doesn't seem to be sporadic but takes alot of accelerator to get it to show positive boost and at most around 6-7 psi.
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Old 12-24-2012, 04:52 PM   #15
Mr Wrex
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You can buy the IWG off anyone who has taken theirs off to install an EWG. They're like $20
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Old 12-24-2012, 06:05 PM   #16
Rob Grim 02 bugeye
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It was just like what your saying but mine would peak at 9 psi even with my boost controller turned all the way up, so i bought a tile iwg from rally sport direct online put it on and fixed.
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Old 12-24-2012, 06:10 PM   #17
Rob Grim 02 bugeye
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Sorry my bad it wasnt a tile my bov is a tile the iwg is a turbosmart
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Old 12-24-2012, 06:26 PM   #18
dse37
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Awesome thanks for the help. Was the IWG an easy install? I'm not really familiar with an internal wastegate, only have ever seen external.
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Old 12-25-2012, 03:49 AM   #19
nv707
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You might be missing the restrictor pill?
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Old 12-25-2012, 09:29 AM   #20
Mr Wrex
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IWG actuators are easy to install...
1) remove heat sheild
2) remove actuator
3) reinstall everything

This is what it looks like. It's located on your turbo, under the heat sheild of course:
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Old 12-25-2012, 11:22 AM   #21
dse37
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I'm not familiar with a restrictor pill? I'm guessing these internal wastegates can seize or "freeze" up just like I know external ones are known to do with age.
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Old 12-25-2012, 08:24 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dse37 View Post
I'm not familiar with a restrictor pill? I'm guessing these internal wastegates can seize or "freeze" up just like I know external ones are known to do with age.
Pinch ur turbo hoses, n you'll feel a tiny hard bump......that's ur pill. If u don't feel it then that may be y ur loosing boost. Check my posts on here there's reference pictures.
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Old 12-25-2012, 08:59 PM   #23
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The ECU might be in Valet mode, turn the key on then off-on 3 times see if that clears your problem.
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