Effects of a wastegate leak

[myRed240]

I have a leak at the flange where my wastegate connects to the dump tube. The dump tube is recirculated to the down pipe. The original gasket blew out, and I ordered a metal replacement, but ATP sent me a composite gasket. This compound gasket is too thick and is causing a leak......

Would there be any problems to driving around town (besides noise and exhaust fumes)?

I don't plan on any speeds above 40 and I probably won't get into boost

Thanks guys!

[Ligouri Rd]

As long as it is just the connection between the dump tube and the wastegate then you should be fine. There will just be loud hissing through the leak whenever you get into boost.

[C-Kwik]

Just make sure the leak isn't right next to something that might be sensitive to heat.

[Riubens]

[myRed240]

Nothing sensitive to heat is next to it. Besides, I'm not really driving it until I get the right gasket in there. I just needed to run a few errands today before I go out of town. I hope the leaking gasket is the root of an odd sound coming from the engine bay....

On another note, I just received an email from ATP offering to replace the composite gasket with a metal one for FREE! Finally, someone making a mistake and offering to fix it....

[Chezedik]

It will just cause you to underboost. So long as you don't set something on fire.

[1WheelWonder]

What about a leak between the wastegate flange from the manifold to the wastegate itself, what kind of issue would that cause?

[nissanfanatic]

Anything pre turbo that is relatively small is just going to cause a higher boost threshold and possibly more lag. If it is a large enough leak, it may cause a lower peak boost pressure. When my wastegate runner broke almost completely off, I could only hit about 16psi as opposed to my normal 22psi..

Anything post turbo can potentially cause creep if your setup is setup to use exhaust restriction as a boost control aid.. You shouldn't design your setup like that for a street car.. You should size and position your wastegate to be able to sustain the amount of exhaust gas flow to keep boost pressure under control..

[Chezedik]

Know what, I think I would still take 16psi.