struggling with boost controller

[xXxICExXx]

Ok heres the thing, I installed my spec II the other day, took about 4 hours. First trial i go out, it was too icy to drive. So i go in the morning, I set it too high, luckily i set the limiter to 11.5 psi so I instantly hit that, turbo made a pop sound. Its happened before, infact a couple weeks ago when i first took my car out after putting in my bic ddp. So franticly I start turning the knobs down, as i notice im turning them down i hear a ticking noise. when i raised the % it would get louder, and quiter when i lower it until 0% when the ticking would stop. Obviously i quickly drive back home and pull a code 34, no surprise. After re-setting the ecu, the ticking noise has gone away and everything seems fine. However now, my car will not go more than 7 psi, no matter what i switch around with the boost controller, its staying at 7 psi. I put the settings back to the SAME as when i boosted to 11.5 earlier, nothing. Still 7 psi. What did I do to my turbo? I cant imagine it breaking just cause of that, am I missing something here? I know this boost controller is a bitch to tune the turbo with but i dont think my car should stay at 7 psi after switching numbers around for a day now. Any help guys?

 

[LordLo]

EBC right? You should check your vaccum wastegate connections and make sure your boost solenoid is still working properly.

Are you sure you didn't blow a small hole/tare through your intercooler pipes? It may even be leaking small amounts at the clamps. These are all things that could cause you to boost low. I know from experience. haha.

 

[johnathan1]

Check/test for boost leaks, and if you heard a ticking, i would check for an exhaust leak...

 

[chriso]

What do you mean by "popping sound" from the turbo? If you can't go past 7psi, the cause could probably be in the wastegate or the hoses going to it. I wish I could remember the settings I had when I had the Greddy Profec B. I was boosting to about 11 until I hit fuel cut and it was very consistent.

 

[mattjk]

yeah, check for bhg and rk, then do the stp test with your ngk or nd and also the acd or if you have hks and don't forget the evc and vpc AND gcc. are you running an fcon on your 7mgte?

I have an fcd for sale if you need it.

 

[LordLo]

yeah, check for bhg and rk, then do the stp test with your ngk or nd and also the acd or if you have hks and don't forget the evc and vpc AND gcc. are you running an fcon on your 7mgte?

I have an fcd for sale if you need it.

:biglaugh:

I don't think he needs all that just to get his boost controller to run right. My fuel cut isn't until 16 psi.

 

[johnny_boy83]

On the profec b spec II if you turn your gain (waste gate duty cycle) up too high it makes the electronic solenoid open and close faster and more often, sometimes the noise is audible over the engine and it sounds like a card flapping on bicycle spokes. Mine did that for quite awhile till my exhaust got too loud to hear it. Ironically if gain is too high you get really bad boost spikes. If the SET point is too high it may spike as well. If you want to run 12 psi the set should probably be no higher than 5 or 6. The gain should probably be between 0-12%. I'll have to see what my settings are for 13.5 psi and get back with you to be positive. I have pobably 30000 miles on my EBC without an issue, even after it was clicking at me.

 

[xXxICExXx]

I do believe I found the problem, I will post a pic shortly. As for tuning, I understand how to use the controller itself, the more I read about it the more I know that what i have been doing is correct, so the problem lies elsewhere.

 

[xXxICExXx]

As I was driving down the highway a half hour ago i floored it, boost controller off, boosted to 8 psi and held it there for 3 seconds and the turbo made a poof noise, check engine light went on for 2 seconds and the turbo just shut down for a second, sorta like if you would try and boost right on a cold engine, pulling up a code 34 of course when i got home. I do have a cracked hose so im thinking this might all be boost leak issues.

 

[xXxICExXx]

Heres the crack, its the first pcv pipe going into the left valve cover....could this be my problem? Its cracked all the way down, it was never that bad before it was just a tiny crack that didnt even go halfway down, but maybe boosting so high that one time just tore it open?

 

[starscream5000]

I doubt it. People run oil catch cans with the outlet of the catch can having a small filter on it (they shouldn't do this of course) and I don't think they have the issue you're experiencing... That would be the same kinda leak you are experiencing.

 

[xXxICExXx]

turns out i didnt tighten down my 3000 pipe after installing the boost controller lol. Problem solved, let the tuning begin.:icon_razz

 

[starscream5000]

Have fun!

 

[xXxICExXx]

Ok heres the thing, my car will hit fuel cut even when the controller is turned off. This still a boost leak issue? Cause I can set it all to zero and im still boosting to 11+ psi....errr help please? Everytime my car shifts (auto) it cuts for a second and the check engine light comes on. At this point im boosting at about 11 psi, regardless if the controller is on or off. I have a ddp if that changes anything.

 

[starscream5000]

Boost creep from the DDP? It is colder outside now, so fuel cut will be lowered... What's your list of mods (put it in your profile too for everyone's reference)?

 

[xXxICExXx]

i thought the boost controller stopped it from creeping that much?

Profec B Spec II
3 inch exhaust, no cats.
BIC DDP
HKS BOV
K&N intake

 

[xXxICExXx]

can anyone that has a ddp or knows them well pitch in here? Dont know what its gonna take to control this thing, since i dont have a lex i cant let it creep past 12 psi

 

[robbo185]

its cold out....boost cut is much easier to hit...plus with the DDP stock boost level is raised. Id check for leaks but im sure thats probobly part of the problem there. Also with the boost controller off, you will know what your stock boost is and you will be able to see if its spiking

 

[xXxICExXx]

with it off it jumps to 7 psi normally then creeps towards fuel cut, with the boost controller same thing, i have it set so it should be about 9 psi, then creeps to fuel cut aswell.

 

[starscream5000]

DDP is a bitch... Glad mine's a megamouth DP .