Sudden loss of turbo boost - help!

[Aussiead]

Hey guys, posting this one for a friend who's a bit stumped at his situation..

General concensus so far is a blockage somewhere. We're going to check it out tonight but if you think of anything else that could be the cause speak up, or forever hold your peace

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Hi,
I've got a 2003, GU ute with the TD42Ti engine.

The Ute was driving fine yesterday arvo but I got in it today and its like driving a N/A 4.2!
I've got a boost gauge fitted and going by that I've got to push the car ALOT harder to get the same max boost readings as before (11psi). Usually it would reach max boost really easily and quickly, but now it's a real mission to get there and driving normaly (not hard) it only gets up to about 4-5psi.

It also feels like the turbo just isn't doing anything. I can hear it spooling but it feels like it adds nothing to the engines power and it's slow as all hell to drive at the moment. Also before if I gave the engine a little rev in neutral i'd hear the turbo whistle, now nothing...

To my mind there are two possibilities.

1 - A loose conection somewhere that's leaking air, maybe on the air line from the gauge to where it's reading the boost, or somewhere else in the system?
I've already had a quick look at the gauge line and there doesn't seem to be any kinks or loose connections, but will have to take the complete line out tonight and have a close look at it.

2 - a buggered turbo.

I'm not real cluey on this sorta stuff so if anyone can help pin-point the issue hear, or point me in the right direction, that'd be great!

Cheers
Broz

[Rhysta]

Check for boost leaks, you would usually here them. Soapy water and pressurise the system helps with that. (search boost leak tester)

Or maybe the wastegate is not completely closed and hence it wont make its set level of boost.

Failing those for some reason it is not getting enough fuel to make the same level of boost, it could be something to do with the boost compensator not changing upping the fuel as it comes on boost.


Is it blowing lots of black smoke? If it is I would say it is still getting plenty of fuel and your problem may be a leak or waste gate issue.

Im no expert but it might get you looking in the right direction.

Rhys

[tufftruckin]

yer check that the actuator is still connected to the waste gate & that the waste gate is not stuck otherwise the rear turbine has fallen/broke off. happens very easyily if it is a ceramic turbine

[thehanko]

I reckon it will be waste gate, im not familiar with the patrol set up yet, but either the actualtor isnt sealing off to seal.

if it was lost boost then you will hear it if it. trust me been there dont that!

I had a stuffed waste gate and it was as described.

I had pressure leaks and you certainly know about it and would find it in seconds.

[vanbox]

Do you have a boost controller? Mine lost boost for a while. Couldnt work it out because it only leaked when up higher in boost, was quite hard to to hear.

turned out to be a broken o-ring in the controller.

[shw337]

when mine was doint his it was because of loose line fiting between the pump and the t-peice to the to the gauge now every conection has a zippy tie n not more lose of boost.
<3 zippy ties

[BadMav]

Does it run a boost compensator device? If it's not working, or the boost line running to it has come off (?), there won't be enough fuel when boost comes on.

[GU BOOST]

check ur air filter and then ur fuel filter also ur boost lines eg. boost line from inlet manifold to compensator on pump and crossover pipe