On the way to work today, my car was driving fine, then about 2km from work, it didnt seem right, while accelerating, couldnt put my finger on it.
On the way home, I noticed the problem.
In 2nd & 3rd gear, I intermittently wont get full boost, while, I always do in 4th & 5th. (car is a my02 wrx)
It doesnt do it everytime, and when it plays up, I get about 10psi in 2nd (max) and about 13psi (max) in 3rd. Considering I can normally get about 14 - 15 psi in 2nd and get 16 - 17 psi in 3rd. (and consistantly get 16 - 17 psi in 4th & 5th)
From what I can tell, the boost in 1st seems the same as what I normally get too.

Ive checked for boost leaks, none that I can see, all my hoses are connected properly, and other than this issue, the car runs perfectly. Oh, and when it started playing up, no I was not thrashing the car, I noticed it when I went to accelerate from some lights.

Any ideas?

Your boost control valve has possibly got some oil in the line and is causing surge. Do you know where the BCV is, if so you can you clean the lines from the turbo T connector through to the inlet manifold with some metho? Otherwise AFM, can clean as well as long as your careful, use isopropyl alcohol.

Happy to show you how, I live in Vic park if you need help.

Will cost you a pint at my local

__________________
Speak to Shane @ SMC Tyres, Unit 6/385 Sevenoaks St Beckenham WA 6107. Mobile 0413 128 087. Tell him Maddog sent you!

Thanks, Ill check it out tomorow, if I get stuck, I may end up calling on your help

Can ya give me a tip on where to find the BCV?

motec...

hmmm

rhf (drivers) strut tower.

is this it?

Yes,
Take of the hose that runs from the turbo to the BCV. Trace the second line from your BCV to the inlet pipe (pre turbo black plastic thing unless you have upgraded it) and remove this at inlet pipe end.

Option A:
Now you can try and do this in situ by turning on the key (BCV opens) and then flushing the lines with brake cleaner and some air pressure.

Or option B:
Remove both ends of both lines from the the BCV and flush them. Remove the BCV, give it a gentle squirt with brake cleaner, rinse with metho or isopropyl alcohol and allow to dry. Give it a good shake, 15 minutes to dry and that should do it.

Whilst your there, remove the T hoses, noting what way they come off as there is a restrictor inside the leg that goes to the turbo compressor outlet. This can also get blocked but would give you higher boost symptoms not, lower. Worth cleaning whilst your there.

Either way reconnect all hoses properly. Failure to reconnect the hoses properly will most likely cause your turbo to overboost and destroy your engine, that's all..

Test drive and see if that has helped. If you have a lot of oil blow by this symptom will reappear in a month or so. You can look at a catch can in the line or even upgrade the hose size from BCV to inlet if you get it frequently.

Or Option C:
As Nauli correctly mentioned...3 Port MAC solenoid and Motec M800 PNP fixed mine no worries, this was the most expensive option at about $3k, try A or B first!

ps don't stick out your tongue if you want to be helped in future

__________________
Speak to Shane @ SMC Tyres, Unit 6/385 Sevenoaks St Beckenham WA 6107. Mobile 0413 128 087. Tell him Maddog sent you!

Thanks heaps for that, Ill have a play with it after dinner.


p.s. hehe