Bit of investigation on the car, smoke tested every pipe possible and absolutely no issues with those, however, used a Mittyvac on my actuator and the arm started to move at 4 psi, and was fully open around 12/13 psi. Conveniently I visited sabre on Monday and he did some data logging, said my car was 3 psi down on boost throughout the whole rev range which seems to tie in with the actuator opening 3 psi too early, so I'm confident the actuator is the issue!

 

Hello! Have you replaced the actuator, and did it fix the boost issue?

 

As you've been pulling on pipes etc and it's got worse since, I'd check all the vac lines to everything else are still good, if you already haven't done so.

Also get the turbo actuator tested, especially if it's the original. If it's busted then that will usually only show 1/4 boost on the guage, mine did and I too switched the boost solenoid twice before testing the actuator which was shot so I switched it for the turbosmart iwg75.

 

As you've been pulling on pipes etc and it's got worse since, I'd check all the vac lines to everything else are still good, if you already haven't done so.

Also get the turbo actuator tested, especially if it's the original. If it's busted then that will usually only show 1/4 boost on the guage, mine did and I too switched the boost solenoid twice before testing the actuator which was shot so I switched it for the turbosmart iwg75.

Do you know how to test the actuator properly? I think my actuator could be the culprit as the boost just isn't as strong as it used to be, that or my turbo smart recirc is faulty (2/3 years old)

 

If you've changed the solenoid and not fixed the problem was it the solenoid causing the problem in the first place 🤔

 

I don't believe the solenoid is the cause but wanted to rule it out

 

Do you have any fault codes logged at all

 

No fault codes

 

I’m 100% certain it will be your actuator. Same issues I had.

 

I'm thinking this too, feel like the turbosmart recirc would be unlikely to fail after 2 years and probably less than 5k miles

 

also check all hoses on the engine, make sure you've not got a boost leak somewhere

 

Done this matey, had smoke test done, actually blew the smoke tester off the intake pipe it built so much pressure 😂 so confident there's not a leak

 

You'd need a mityvac to test the actuator and it should start to open at 7psi iirc

 

 

Top one with the yellow end is the original one, you can see a slight difference in size to the port that goes to the actuator, part numbers match but the codes on the back are slightly different. I'm wondering if because the Pipe from the actuator is now oversized this could be why it's not helped the boost?

 

if the vac hose has stretched a bit over the yrs you could try cutting a bit off the end so its a tight fit again on the new one? and take it from there ,or if that wouldnt work then as a temp measure tie a cable tie tightly round it so it wont leak

 

Tried a new line, made no difference, still only getting 1/4 boost on the new solenoid, it is 100% plumbed in correctly, I even tried wrong to make sure. So either they are different or I have received a new faulty boost solenoid. Trying to iron out an issue with slightly lower boost than normal as I'm on a stage 3 sabre tune, but this is obviously making it worse.

 

Changed the solenoid back to the original, got boost back (3/4) of the way, so I do believe the new solenoid must be faulty. However the issue im trying to cure is hitting the boost my car should be, which used to be into the red on the guage. Sabre have confirmed my boost should be higher than it is but fitting the solenoid above dropped me down to 1/4 boost. I have had the car smoked tested so I know everything that side is good, so I'm wondering if my turbosmart recirc valve is now stuck slightly or weak or perhaps my actuator is faulty

 

Is it OEM actuator or upgraded

 

Standard actuator fitted currently

 

I have a turbosmart actuator for sale looking for £80

 

Actuator and boost solenoid solved the problem

 

What Actuator did you go for and was it a pain to replace