Re: Question re: boost gauges...

[human <human@nh.ultranet.com>]

-- [ From: human * EMC.Ver #2.5.02 ] --

>Other than for diagnostic and/or tuning purposes, how often is a boost
gauge used during "normal" >driving?

only for entertainment purposes.  It's cool watching three needles dance
around as you accelerate.
as a diagnostic (you said "normal" driving) you *know* when something's
wrong.  My wastegate used to freeze shut below 0 F and with that cold dense
air, wow! I'd wonder what got into the old gal and then I'd see the boost
gauge up in the red (2.0 or so) and cool it.  Moments later the gate would
warm up & work.  (when I got rid of the car, opposite was the problem - gate
always open.)

what do you call "normal" driving, Jeff?  (I get tickets for mine)

It's not like coolant or oil temp, or oil press. - the boost is so obvious
that the gauge is a bit unnecessary - in normal driving.  If my car sounds
funny, I gotta peer down by the ashtray and see if my coolant or oil are
being naughty (or AWOL).  Yeah, the "4000" gauge positioning is really lousy
, kind of a cruel joke.  When I really want to watch my oil temp, I can't
look down there safely. It's usually the road surface or sporadic
hallucinations, however.   

If, however, you've got a handful of mods going, spring, brain etc., I think
you'd want a real easy to watch gauge location just to make sure all your
aftermarket toys are playing together nicely....

Huw (usedta own a turbo) Powell

now I gotta coupe

PS why is gauge so hard to spell?