Car Lacks Power, Feels Restricted, Not Boosting? Ba Xr6t

[bluesmuso]

I've only had the car about a week, but love it to death, however in spite of having great torque it really does not want to get up and go, in fact whilst it's roll on performance is quite good it's not much faster than my 3.5 magna up to 80 or 100 kph standing start, having driven a few non turbo ba's it does not feel much faster but sometimes has a quick burst of power (between the flat spots)

Turbo can be heard and there is blow off valve sound (only sometimes though) as it comes off boost, turbo can be heard still spinning for a while after car has been turned off but it is very quiet (without the bonnet up you'd barely notice it) so it must still be working, but car has done 165,000km's so oil supply screen may be partially blocked and killing the turbo.

Fuel filter replaced: no improvement

Boost solenoid treated with WD40: no improvement

Coolong system full flush: Coolant was a coffee brown colour (not red) and is now bright green but no improvement to performance and I didn't expect it but mentioned the flush anyway.

Possibilities: (my guessing)

Turbo oil supply line screen dirty?

Restriction in exhaust somewhere?

Maf de-tuned to prevent damage????not sure about that one.

Turbo failing and on it's way out????....hope not, it still spins and spools up.

I once gave it a bit in 1st gear and it was all flat spot up to 3,500rpm then suddenly took off but went flat again before 5,500 rpm at which time it changed into 2nd.

It really feels like it isn't running much boost, it also is not very responsive at light throttle driving and needs a heavy push on the pedal to get it moving, most n/a BA's I've driven are very light and sensitive to even minimal throttle applications and require minimal throttle to leap off at the lights, but they are obviously a different throttlebody setup.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated, I will pull out and check/clean/remove the oil supply screen ASAP

Is loss of power a sign of a dying turbo? It also has dreadful fuel consumption average 22L/100kms with the occasional boot, but with really light footed go with the flow off traffic type driving it showed 12.5L/100kms bt that was before I put my foot down, but I've yet to actually measure the fuel use at the pump.

Sorry about all the questions but as a new comer I'm really eager to learn about these great cars.

Edited 03/02/09 11:56 AM by bluesmuso

[Dirty32]

Firstly, you should probably get it to a reputable tuner (many listed as sponsors on this site, just see who is closest to you) and get it on a dyno to see if they can come up with any ideas.

They work with these vehicles all day, every day. Chances are they will have some experience with what might be causing your problems.

Just a couple of things ill add so you can look into em:

Test your spark plugs and coil packs, make sure your fuel pump isnt slowly on the way out or your fuel line isnt splitting or degrading, make sure your Cat is in good shape and not melted and blocking your exhaust, Check for any boost leaks in your piping and joiners, make sure your turbo and manifold bolts are all ok, ensure whatever air filter your using is in relatively good nick and as you mentioned, make sure your turbo screen filter is clean...

Again, its just a start so you can get into it, but id definately be getting it to a tuner for a once over on the dyno to see where its breaking down etc.

Good luck and let us know how ya go!

[Superdan]

A few maintenance tricks will help you out also muso,

Boost Solenoid Maintenance

Cleaning Throttle Body

As Dirty said, getting the car to a reputable tuner (forum sponsors are the best way to go as they will be crucified if they stuff up!).

Main point is let us know how you go, and how it got sorted out!

Cheers

Dan

[iTec]

the turbos oil supply is not really going to affect performance, you just wont have a turbo left if its dirty.

It sounds like it could be a boost leak, best bet really is to stick it on a dyno and get it checked out

[XRDOSE]

yep what the other guys said....plus it will never feel as responsive as an N/A from the get go as it needs to be on boost to get its power and that doesnt happen until about 2200rpm. Go see a good tuner get them to sort it out for you.

[ravenhard]

I had this problem ages ago. Get it on the dyno to check, but what you will find is boost coming on slow and heaps late. This is caused but a faulty turbo actuator and/or sticking flapper on the wastegate. Common problem but will be kinda expensive to fix. In the order of $600ish due to the labour involed in having to take off the turbo and checking wheather it is sticking or not.

If your planning any mods get an upgraded 12lb and port the wastegate and install a larger flapper at the same time.

[bluesmuso]

Thanks heaps guys, I have found a tuner who is local in marion, I will have him check it out, in the mean time I will check for boost leaks etc. Whatever the problem it is affecting economy but I guess it would if it is either a restriction (melted cat) or boost leak or tuning issue.

I just noticed it has an external trans cooler mounted in front of the turbo intercooler (not the best spot)

I think it also has a shift kit as the car has very solid firm shifts even at light throttle.

Thanks heaps guys, I'll get to that tuner.

Edited 04/02/09 06:04 AM by bluesmuso

[bluprinturbo]

I had this problem ages ago. Get it on the dyno to check, but what you will find is boost coming on slow and heaps late. This is caused but a faulty turbo actuator and/or sticking flapper on the wastegate. Common problem but will be kinda expensive to fix. In the order of $600ish due to the labour involed in having to take off the turbo and checking wheather it is sticking or not.

If your planning any mods get an upgraded 12lb and port the wastegate and install a larger flapper at the same time.

[ebxmple]

Are you sure it isnt modded in anyway? Another thing you can check is if the wastegate solenoid hoses are on the correct way as this is another common problem we have at ford lol.

[Mike XR6T]

dude.

if in adelaide try kpm not specialty(if that's who your thinking of)

they r into carbs etc and c ant tune t's

just a thought