Just befor Christmas, I took my JDM STI 03 to Powerstation for a power upgrade. (Milltek exhaust, remap, k&n panel filter). After fitting everything, my car went onto the rolling road, and within a few minutes I was told that my remap could not be accomplished, as there was a fault with the turbo, it was only boosting at 0.7 bar instead of the norm 1.2 bar. After clamping the actuator pipe and the car driven under full load, there was no improvement to the boost. I was told that this meant the turbo was damaged and required replacement, then once that was fitted, my remap could then be done. I wasn't totally convinced at the diagnosis, as I felt it was 'super-quick'. Several days later, I took my car to my local Subaru Main Dealer. They had the car for a whole day, and couldn't find anything wrong with all sensors connected to the turbo, and whatever else they checked. They also could not clearly specify a definite YES the turbo is damaged, or no it isn't.

I was emailed by a Scoobynet member who asked me if I had a couple of hours to spare, he would carry out some tests to my car and give me an accurate diagnoses. I got the supplying dealer to agree footing the cost, which was £100. (My car has a dealer warranty). This morning I arrived at Mocom Racing and Zak started to have a careful look under the bonnet. He pointed to a small T pipe asking me if I had ever removed it, which I hadn't. This was because a tiny brass restrictor inside a 3mm pipe was in the wrong part of it, it should have been to the right side of the T, not the left. He took the pipe off, and there were 2 small holes in it, which should have been spotted by any competent technician/mechanic.

Within 20 minutes, Zak set up his computer and some wiring to my car and asked me to drive the car. As soon I we drove onto the open road, the car was like a missile, literally. It was so quick, and he immediately said that the turbo is now boosting at 1.4 bar! Problem cured.

So a massive thank you to Zak at Mocom Racing, Epping, Essex!!!

 

Sounds like you saved yourself a big bill..It pays to get a few opinions and to get someone with a bit of savvy to check it over, and look for the obvious probs Top man Zak

 

Quite surprised that PowerStation couldn't spot that the actuator pipework was incorrect. That's one of the first few things I'd check if I had a boost problem

Not only that, why didn't they try a three port boost solenoid? A restrictor isn't used with this setup.

 

I thought these (powerstation) were the bods that build the T25 engines for Litchfield?
It seems not even the "experts" are on the ball the whole time.....or maybe they were just trying to mug you off into buying a new turbo?

Not good, whatever the reason.
Its a good job there are people like Zak around, well done that man.

Sean.

 

Bearing in mind the amount of people that have either a) replaced the pipe not realising there is a restrictor in there, or b) took the pipe off and put it back with the T the other way, - I am shocked that a big concern like PS could miss such a thing and it did not pop into there minds to check!

Nice one Zak at Mocom

 

GREGGYG Result, great news you are all fixed

Would not go anywhere else now, for my Subaru and VW

Nice one Zak

 

Nice one, good to hear a positive story

How long before Frayz pops up!!!

 

I absolutely agree with what's been said above. A turbo hitting its ceiling at 0.7 bar straight away means 90% of the time a problem with the boost signals between actuator/solenoid/turbo.restrictor etc. And I'm no expert either.

Very surprised that Powerstation would put this down to a knackered turbo and give up just like that. Well done for trusting your instincts.

 

I suppose doing this bit....

....you would kind of assume the turbo itself is shagged, sounds like they didn't really clamp the pipe properly / at all?

 

Seems Zak in earning a good repuatation for his work on here. He was very helpful when I took my car to him last year for a suspension geometry check.

 

What a sex god, saved some monies! How did you get a warranty for UK Dealers?!

 

Greggy very happy to hear you finally got it sorted!!!

Banny

 

I'm equally surprised that subaru didn't spot the problem. Too many mechanics seem to rely on electronic diagnosis rather than good old fashion dirty hands. The laptop says it's broken somewhere, I wish I could look under the bonnet, but there's a screen in the way.

As the car was warranty would the subaru dealer have had to replace the turbo if they diagnosed that was the fault - I'm assuming that would be covered ?

Glad you got it sorted, I've been watching your progress from the initial report of the problem and thanks for updating us with the solution, I suspect a few of us have learned something (let us know what powerstation say if you take it back for mapping)

 

It's an independent dealer 12 month warranty.

 

Or let Zak do it

 

Hi Greg,

hope you enjoyed the journey home

Depends on what pipe was clamped during the test, perhaps they clamped the same pipe that the restrictor was in?

Not possible in it's current state, the ECU has been locked down I tried to check the map to see if it had been limited to a low boost setting as it'd been in running .7bar since Greg took ownership.

 

But if it was a EcuTek map switch rom all you had to do was press the demist button with the throttle at wot, easy peasy.

cheers

bob

 

Another one saved froma big unnecesery bill.

well done.