Possible Boost Issues?
Discussion
I have an Audi AWT 1.8 fitted with a K04 turbo, stuffed in the back of my Lotus Elise. It's been fine for the last two weeks of ownership, whereby peak boost has been around 1.4 Bar, with a slight drop after 6000 RPM.
Whilst driving home from work yesterday afternoon, I couldn't help but notice that it was less abrupt in terms of acceleration. A quick look at the boost gauge showed the needle sitting at around 1.1-1.2 Bar.
This morning, the needle flung around to about 1.5-1.6 Bar momentarily, albeit I released the accelerator as soon as I saw it spike! After that, it was peaking at a good 1.4 Bar a few times. All good! I dropped the girlfriend off at work and continued on my way ... and tried again. Consistently 1.1-1.2 Bar.
Acceleration is good, but something appears to be wrong! Boost leak, or something else? Any help or suggestions are much appreciated!
Whilst driving home from work yesterday afternoon, I couldn't help but notice that it was less abrupt in terms of acceleration. A quick look at the boost gauge showed the needle sitting at around 1.1-1.2 Bar.
This morning, the needle flung around to about 1.5-1.6 Bar momentarily, albeit I released the accelerator as soon as I saw it spike! After that, it was peaking at a good 1.4 Bar a few times. All good! I dropped the girlfriend off at work and continued on my way ... and tried again. Consistently 1.1-1.2 Bar.
Acceleration is good, but something appears to be wrong! Boost leak, or something else? Any help or suggestions are much appreciated!
Boost leak, wastegate, N75 valve, leaking recirc valve...... could be any number of things, especially as it's a transplanted engine.
What engine management is it using? If standard, I would get it hooked up to VCDS and see if there are any boost related fault codes. You will usually see under or over boost codes if the requested and actual boost pressures differ over a certain rpm/time frame.
What engine management is it using? If standard, I would get it hooked up to VCDS and see if there are any boost related fault codes. You will usually see under or over boost codes if the requested and actual boost pressures differ over a certain rpm/time frame.
It's an aftermarket Emerald ECU ... I'm not particularly mechanically minded, but I'm guessing this ECU might have similar logs/codes to work with? As you say though, it could be a number of things. Unfortunately, I lost all gears last night. Boost leaks are now the least of my worries! 
Engine and box is coming out - New clutch, cambelt and all the usual bits and pieces. Hopefully we can have a better look at your suggestions then!
Engine and box is coming out - New clutch, cambelt and all the usual bits and pieces. Hopefully we can have a better look at your suggestions then!
Oh dear! Lost them as in shredded them, or just can't select any? What gearbox is it?
I have limited knowledge of Emerald but used a rival ECU on assorted VWs. Unfortunately they don't log in the same level of detail as OEM ones do, so probably not worth exploring that area. Is the boost controlled by the ECU, or a mechanical bleed valve?
I have limited knowledge of Emerald but used a rival ECU on assorted VWs. Unfortunately they don't log in the same level of detail as OEM ones do, so probably not worth exploring that area. Is the boost controlled by the ECU, or a mechanical bleed valve?
SuperchargedVR6 said:
Oh dear! Lost them as in shredded them, or just can't select any? What gearbox is it?
I have limited knowledge of Emerald but used a rival ECU on assorted VWs. Unfortunately they don't log in the same level of detail as OEM ones do, so probably not worth exploring that area. Is the boost controlled by the ECU, or a mechanical bleed valve?
I can select them when the engine is off, but not whilst the engine is on. However if I select a gear and start the car, the car will begin moving, but will continue to do so whilst the clutch fully depressed. It's a 6 speed box, which I believe is out of an Audi TT. I'm about to e-mail the original owner who owns Auto-Teknix (Specialists in Audi conversions for Lotus) to seek some advice/confirmation!I have limited knowledge of Emerald but used a rival ECU on assorted VWs. Unfortunately they don't log in the same level of detail as OEM ones do, so probably not worth exploring that area. Is the boost controlled by the ECU, or a mechanical bleed valve?
Not sure on whether it is ECU or MBV controlled - I might ask that question too! It's times like this, I wish I were a mechanic!
Ikemi said:
SuperchargedVR6 said:
Oh dear! Lost them as in shredded them, or just can't select any? What gearbox is it?
I have limited knowledge of Emerald but used a rival ECU on assorted VWs. Unfortunately they don't log in the same level of detail as OEM ones do, so probably not worth exploring that area. Is the boost controlled by the ECU, or a mechanical bleed valve?
I can select them when the engine is off, but not whilst the engine is on. However if I select a gear and start the car, the car will begin moving, but will continue to do so whilst the clutch fully depressed. It's a 6 speed box, which I believe is out of an Audi TT. I'm about to e-mail the original owner who owns Auto-Teknix (Specialists in Audi conversions for Lotus) to seek some advice/confirmation!I have limited knowledge of Emerald but used a rival ECU on assorted VWs. Unfortunately they don't log in the same level of detail as OEM ones do, so probably not worth exploring that area. Is the boost controlled by the ECU, or a mechanical bleed valve?
Not sure on whether it is ECU or MBV controlled - I might ask that question too! It's times like this, I wish I were a mechanic!
OK, no worries. Either way if it's under or over boosting, it sounds like a hardware issue in your case. It'll be good to know either way though!
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