Please help a buddy..

[Tictakman]

Alright guys, im trying to help out my friend that is having a boost prob in his jetta 1.8t. here is the prob...

he has a CAI from NEUSPEED, and a chip that raises his boost etc(gets a boost spike of 20psi)

he has had the chip for about 4 months i think and everything was fine until about 2 to 3 weeks ago.

lately he cant keep a constant boost over 5 psi. if he gives it full throttle the turbo will try to spool but kind of stutters. sounds like it keeps wasting.

i think its either a wastegate problem or there may be an boost leak somewhere.

does anyone else have any ideas or know about 1.8t's?

Zak

[rco8786]

check for boost leaks. blown turbo is always a possibility. it probably has nothing to do w/ the CAI or the chip, especially if theyve been working for the last 3 months.

[Tictakman]

ya thats what i would have figured too. For the turbo being blow....how should i check that? for shaft play or some visual signs?

thanksZak

[IvoryJ30t]

check the intake track [turbo-ic-tb] and exhaust manifold for leaks.

[mean green s14]

iwould guess the wastgate is malfunctioning

[mean green s14]

is it interanl or exturnal

[Tictakman]

internal, stock

[Titan]

Well, my friend with an A4 (also 1.8t) runs a chip that raises boost from 7 psi to 14 psi... and he says that's pushing the turbo's efficiency. So assuming my friend is right, the turbo being blown is a big possibility. Like mentioned about, pull off the hotpipe and check for oil.

[Tictakman]

hmmm, ill pass on what you guys said. ill be back in cincinnati next weeks so maybe ill take a look at it too.

Zak

[C-Kwik]

Like any problems, approach this systematically by trying to isolate the problem. I'd start by ruling out the chip and swap the stock chip back in. If that doesn't fix it, put the stock intake back in. If it still has the same problem, then there may be something wrong with the switch that controls boost. Or with the wastegate. Make sure all connections are tight as well.

If the turbo was blown, you'ld likely see smoke billowing out of the tailpipe...

[Tictakman]

ya i rem not seeing any of that the last time i was home.what could go wrong w an internal wastegate?

[andrave]

it could stop working...

[Tictakman]

ya besides stating the obvious...

im talking mechanically. does something break inside?

Zak

[rco8786]

Something could happen w/ the spring inside and cause it to fall open at 5psi or whatever. i dunno tho. Disconnect the vacuum line and *carefully* drive the car and see if he has boost.