Wastegates

[Wing Commander]

So, whilst fiddling around with my car, I felt something on the exhaust manifold which was "flapping in the breeze". I initially thought it was one of the exhaust manifold to downpipe bolts that was loose (out of sight, so done by feel). I got under the car to have a look up and it turns out that the wastegate actuator rod had come off the turbo end of things.

Not knowing anything about how this works (despite reading a few wiki articles), will this have done any damage to my car?

I have had the car over a year and so have just accepted that this is how powerful my car is. With the actuator arm connected, the car is in a different league. Much, much more powerful.

So I am assuming (quite possibly incorrectly) that my turbo pressure has been venting to atmosphere (either partially or entirely) rather than spooling up and providing boost, thus it has failed safe.

Have I got this roughly right?

[davepoth]

Yes, that's about right. It would have been giving very little, if any, boost, with the wastegate open. Look on the bright side, it'll be the best value performance mod you'll ever do.

[Wing Commander]

Oh I am definitely looking on the bright side about it! The car is now a monster in comparison! All it cost was some silly little E clips to hold the bar on, and some skin from my knuckles.

The 50-70mph acceleration is something to behold! Car is Saab 9000 2.3 Turbo. Zoomy zoom!