HELP! Wastegate not openning!

[Spooled]

OK, to start off my car is totally stock, although I have a boost gauge. I was on the freeway last night and a GTI wanted to go, so I gave him a run really quick and the car felt REALLY strong. When I hit 6000 rpm in 4th gear, it started to ping bad. So I let off right away and started to think about reading about someones' car pinging under stock conditions. The problem is that it was 65 degress outside and I was full of 93 octane.

I decided to pull off to a main road and do a 3rd gear pull to see where the boost was at. It climbed to 11psi instantly and looked like it would have went way past that if I didn't let off right away. I pulled over and popped the hood thinking that the vacuum hose going to the wastegate actuator popped off something. All the vacuum hoses checked out fine. I pulled the hose going to the wastegate actuator off and tried blowing into it. It seemed to blow right though (I thought that it was a sealed diaphram). I assumed that the hose had a leak, so I took to to a friends and we sprayed soapy water on it and found a small hole in the 90 degree elbow that connected the vacuum hose to the accuator. I pulled it off and replaced the whole line from the T going to the BPV to the actuator.

I took the car out to make sure that it was the cause, but it wasn't. The boost climbed way past 7 right away. What the hell could have happened? Could the diaphram have a leak? I really want to fix this myself if I can since the dealer that I take it to sucks (Cook), and my car is worse off after taking it to them.

 

[hello2000]

I had a similar problem before, but it was the vaccum hose came off. I think it may be your wastegate. You may have to replace it.

 

[t3ase]

moved to msp forced

 

[Spooled]

I had a similar problem before, but it was the vaccum hose came off. I think it may be your wastegate. You may have to replace it.

Yeah, I was hoping that it was just a hose that popped off, but no such luck. I tried moving the rod between the actuator and the wastegate, but I couldn't. I don't know how much force it takes to move that, but it wasn't budging.

 

[SonicX]

Go to the dealer! There is a known issue with the wastegate actuator failing. I heard about it when talking to the shop manager @ the Mazda I go to. They even had official documentation on it. I think the 'symptoms' were a squeal/whistle during idle. I'm sure the wastegate not closing would be a symptom too.

 

[Spooled]

UPDATE:

I ran a check with a pressure meter and the actuator is not holding any pressure and the actuator rod doesn't move. I can also hear a vacuum leak at idle coming from it. I called the dealer and told them that I know what it is, and although they have to verify it, hopefully it won't take them long to pop a new one on once it comes in.

One thing that I've noticed is that it seems to drive a lot better like this. I'm not boosting above 2-3 psi, but the turbo reacts a lot faster and the engine seems to run a lot smoother. Very odd. I wonder if the vacuum leak is leaning it out a little. I know that it spools faster because the gate isn't openning. I bet this is what it's like with an EBC keeping the wastegate fully closed until it needs to open

 

[Spooled]

Well, I'm getting a new turbo under warranty. There's nothing wrong with it, but the actuator only comes with the entire turbo system.

 

[Mr. Win]

good job your problem was sloved in the first sentence and you should tell you want a new motor because who knows what damage was done with the rise in psi, may not work but its worth a shot.

im gonna say go ahead and baby it over there as well and get a loaner from them. you have a boost gauge just stay outta boost.

 

[Spooled]

good job your problem was sloved in the first sentence and you should tell you want a new motor because who knows what damage was done with the rise in psi, may not work but its worth a shot.

im gonna say go ahead and baby it over there as well and get a loaner from them. you have a boost gauge just stay outta boost.

They car has been at the shop for 3 days and they gave me a loaner for free. I thought about the engine damage thing, but it's not worth the time and effort. I want to get stronger internals eventually, and I really don't want them monkeying around with my car any more than they have to. Besides, I haven't had any coolant leaks or burned any oil like a lot of other people have, so I'd like to stick with this engine.

 

[Stormtrooper77]

Did they hassle you about installing the boost gauge?

 

[irr5302]

purchase a stock actuator 150usd and 2 hours to install without remove nothing.
use search for find my previous post with the Garret dealer and part # Good luck
the mazda change the complet turbo and destroy all your car.

sorry for my english

 

[Spooled]

Well, I got the car back last night. I am very surprised that everything looks and runs SO NICE now. They didn't give me any hassle about my boost gauge, and they were nice enough to replace my shift knob that was coming apart and replace the front suspension bushings that are a TSB supposedly (no more creaks over bumps in the cold).

Unfortunately, my stock boost is now just below 5psi. I don't think that they adjusted the actuator arm correctly. I guess it's fine like that, so now I can run 5psi when I want great gas milage, and switch it over to 8psi for fun.