RE: 5kCSTQ boost Q

["Sheffield Corey" <SHEF@omdc.gso.uri.edu>]

Hi Gang,

	I been gone for the last ten(10) days training some nice Japanese folks
up in Massachusetts and although I've been off the list my car seems to be
somehow still connected and/or is having sympathy pains with others with
problems in the turbo department. My 1.7-1.9 bar of "Charlie spring" boost
started slippin' away while up in MA. First down to 1.5, then 1.3; at 1.2 I
began to notice a quite noticeable swoooshing noise as boost tried to pass 1.1
bar. My first thought was the infamous "bellows" hose. I removed, cleaned and
inspected same; found only a thin coating of oil, probably turbo bearing
blow-by, but no cracks or holes; it was still very flexible. The end caps on
the intercooler appear to be in their proper positions with no gaskets hanging
out. I pulled the top of the wastegate to make sure I hadn't broken my much
revered "Charlie spring" and inspect what I believe to be the diaphram; all was
good there. Then I realized that if all was not good there I would have
probably been hearing a braaappping noise from escaping exhaust gases and not
the loud swooosh I am getting. Without a lift I couldn't remove and inspect the
lower hose from the turbo to the IC intake, but it feels OK (tomorrow it's on
the lift) The car starts and runs well, but its get-up and GO has got-up and
left:-{ What are the chances I could have blown the intake manifold gasket?
Wouldn't that cause me problems at all RPM's? All the associated small hoses
appear to be OK and I don't think any one(1) of them could vent that much air
based on the sound of the swooosh at any boost over 1.1 bar.

	My personal opinion is that a  hose clamp on the turbo to IC hose has
cut the hose, but my mechanic says: "No way! The hose is too thick and they
generally blow out from a blister in the side". I know I won't see any
responses to this question until after the car has been on the lift, but any
thoughts will be appreciated. Oh Phil, no metal finding in the "bellows" hose,
but I'm probably really over-spinning the turbo so I am forced to crawl around
at very low or NO boost readings. I'll let everyone know what I find out
tomorrow.

TIA,

Shef