Can you change the wastegate without removing the turbo?

RIPDOTCOM

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2003 MSP
Title says it all. I definitely have a bad wastegate, bought a new ATP one and need to install it. Do I have to remove the whole turbo, manifold and downpipe?
 
yah, its not that hard nor time consuming to pull the turbo and maniofold off, it will most definately save some frustration. plus then u can also replace the manifold gasket if it hasnt been changed in awhile.
 
I've heard people have done it, but after replacing mine, I doubt I could do it without pulling the manifold.
 
getting the wastegate off will be somewhat easy, to get it back in (unless u have hands the size of a 5 year old and fingers like a monkey) that c clip is gonna kick ur ass gettin it back in.
 
Wga was easy. The c clip was a royal pain in the ass. Mcguyver would have gave up on that c clip
 
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I just pulled the manifold back(unbolt it from the block) and unbolted the downpipe. I agree though, just pull the turbo.......its way easier and overall it takes less time in the long run to just pull the turbo
 
If your talking about the WGA then yes you can do it without removing much. I removed the intake pipe to the turbo, heat shield, and the J pipe below.

Using an 11mm socket remove the top nut from the WGA, then use a ujoint socket and extension to get the bottom one. Swap. To get the E-clip back on I used a 15inch set of needle nose pliers to get the clip lined up properly. My buddy then used a LONG screwdriver to push the clip on. Wasn't toooo hard. I could barely get my hands up there though.
 
Is there a how-to for this WGA install? If not, I will try to make one when I do it tomorrow, but it would sure help a lot if there was already one. I checked the how-to secion and didn't see one though.
 
It is pretty clean, I have to agree.
Hopefull your c-clip is not as f'ed as mine was, that was the hard part with the manifold still connected. Good luck

Thanks man! Are those 15" needlenoses a necessity? That is the only tool you mentioned that I do not have... worst comes to worst I will pull off the manifold, but I don't wanna have to get a new gasket!
 
Thanks man! Are those 15" needlenoses a necessity? That is the only tool you mentioned that I do not have... worst comes to worst I will pull off the manifold, but I don't wanna have to get a new gasket!

Gaskets are cheap it may help the car run better, I know my stock one was in need of replacement.
 
Thanks man! Are those 15" needlenoses a necessity? That is the only tool you mentioned that I do not have... worst comes to worst I will pull off the manifold, but I don't wanna have to get a new gasket!

It was the only thing I had that would reach all the way in. I bought them at Harbor Freight for like $8.
I lost like 5 clips in the process too haha. I bought a bulk box of C and E clips from Pep Boys for like $10.
 
Hey guys I'm almost done pulling the turbo and stuff out of the car but I cannot for the life of me figure out how to get this damn EGR tube out of the exhaust mani! Any tips?
 
Ok got the EGR, but any tips on actually pulling the setup from under the hood? Ive been pulling for forever!
 
After removing the heatshield and hot pipe disconnect the coolant and oil lines and the vacuum line to the wastegate, unbolt the J pipe from the S pipe, (you need a gasket for this as well), remove the manifold bolts and the entire assembly should lift right out.. I just pulled the manifold away from the block and had room to replace it without removing the assembly from the car..
 
if your trying to get the whole assembly out, take out the ac fan, it helps a bit with the room
if you still cant get it out, then your doing something wrong
 

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