Turbo not working?

[MerlintheMad]

None of my previous cars threw codes with minor boost leaks. Hell I cracked an end tank on my Cobalt ss and it didn't throw a code.

But this isn't a minor leak, it appears to be dead weight turbos; only enough life to show a glimmer of a sliver at the starting end of the graph. Comatose. Just enough "vital signs" to show that the car even has turbos.

 

[Manaz]

"Forgot to install turbos", lol. The hose loose theory wouldn't completely sideline the turbos, would it? Probably some interface isn't interfacing. The turbos are just sitting there, dead weight. "They" will find it in short order, I am confident. I bet it's an easy fix (no sense borrowing trouble).

Turbos have two sides - the impeller wheel (hot side) and the compressor wheel (cold side). Failing a shaft failure, the two are connected.

A turbo will will spool based on exhaust gases being produced - the only way for them to not spool up will be if they are somehow not connected to the exhaust manifolds, or if the wastegates are stuck open (physically or the ECU holding them open due to a fault condition). That's one place to look.

If they're spooling and producing boost, then a loose hose between the turbo outlets and the manifold can simply release any boost being produced. A leaking BOV/BPV can also do this.

Those are the places the dealer will be looking.

I've had a loose hose (between the intercooler and intake manifold) on my Liberty (legacy), and it results in the car being very sluggish, to the point where it struggles to climb even moderately steep hills.

 

[GetReady]

But this isn't a minor leak, it appears to be dead weight turbos; only enough life to show a glimmer of a sliver at the starting end of the graph. Comatose. Just enough "vital signs" to show that the car even has turbos.

Do you realize what a cracked end tank would cause? Again no code. Cracked end tank=0 psi. The car stalled and would run for a bit and still didn't throw a code. Boost leaks rarely throw codes until rich condition fouls out a plug. Check the tubing first. It may require a dealer visit it but it's worth investigating to avoid a long trip.

 

[tdeviance]

Update - I took it in to the dealer and it's the sensor that's malfunctioning. So even though the turbos themselves are hooked up correctly, they're not actually sending any boost because the sensor is telling them not to. Part will come on Wednesday and then I'll have what will feel like a new car!

 

[Manaz]

Did they say which sensor exactly?

 

[MerlintheMad]

Update - I took it in to the dealer and it's the sensor that's malfunctioning. So even though the turbos themselves are hooked up correctly, they're not actually sending any boost because the sensor is telling them not to. Part will come on Wednesday and then I'll have what will feel like a new car!

Yes! Something simple. A bug in the electronics. And a relatively quick delivery of the part! Double win!!

 

[GetReady]

Yes! Something simple. A bug in the electronics. And a relatively quick delivery of the part! Double win!!

Not sure which sensor could cause this. I'm glad you'll have a resolution soon!

 

[eflyguy]

Sounds like BS to me. The turbos are mechanical devices, exhaust gasses turns them producing boost. If you have RPMs, the turbos are working - sensors just monitor parameters to control the ignition, fueling, and bypass valving.

 

[GetReady]

Sounds like BS to me. The turbos are mechanical devices, exhaust gasses turns them producing boost. If you have RPMs, the turbos are working - sensors just monitor parameters to control the ignition, fueling, and bypass valving.

If I were to take a guess, they are going to replace a wastegate and just told him it's a sensor.

 

[robz32]

It is probably a sensor controlling the waste gate actuators on both turbos.
While you are correct @eflyguy If the waste gate is left wide open from the beginning those gases will not spin the turbine wheels, therefore not creating boost.
The waste gate actuators on modern vehicles are activated by the ECU, via a solenoid, once the target boost is reached.

 

[Manaz]

Not sure which sensor could cause this. I'm glad you'll have a resolution soon!

It IS possible that the boost pressure sensor is reading a false high and keeping the wastegates open.

Edit: Gah, beaten to it by @robz32.

 

[GreySpector]

It is probably a sensor controlling the waste gate actuators on both turbos.
While you are correct @eflyguy If the waste gate is left wide open from the beginning those gases will not spin the turbine wheels, therefore not creating boost.
The waste gate actuators on modern vehicles are activated by the ECU, via a solenoid, once the target boost is reached.

Sounds similar to when mine throws a P0100 code for running rich and enters limp mode, no boost to be found.

 

[Doel]

None of my previous cars threw codes with minor boost leaks. Hell I cracked an end tank on my Cobalt ss and it didn't throw a code.

Yup.... my VW GTI popped an intercooler coupling and it produced 0 boost, no code. So it looks like everyone was right, it was a boost leak, caused by a sensor keeping the wastegate open

 

[Manaz]

If you pop an intercooler coupling, you produce boost still, but it escapes.

 

[Revvdmedia]

If you pop an intercooler coupling, you produce boost still, but it escapes.

Venting boost to atmosphere from the intercooler piping. It's the 2019 version of a BOV, all the cool kids are doing it.

 

[ChiTownStinger]

Update - I took it in to the dealer and it's the sensor that's malfunctioning. So even though the turbos themselves are hooked up correctly, they're not actually sending any boost because the sensor is telling them not to. Part will come on Wednesday and then I'll have what will feel like a new car!

Do you know what part they replaced? I think I may have the same issue.

 

[Oryan]

"Forgot to install turbos", lol. The hose loose theory wouldn't completely sideline the turbos, would it? Probably some interface isn't interfacing. The turbos are just sitting there, dead weight. "They" will find it in short order, I am confident. I bet it's an easy fix (no sense borrowing trouble).

If an intercooler hose popped off or there's a big enough boost leak, absolutely it'll kill all boost. I had installed a new FMIC on my Genesis coupe that took way longer than it should have. Forgot to tighten one clamp and as I pulled off base and got on it, I hear a pop and the car became a snail. I basically had to drive a N/A 4-pot back home without spinning the turbo to oblivion.. Damn near died of old age getting there.

 

[Brlong23]

Having a similar issue currently where occasionally I'll accelerate and I can feel the boost build like normal, and then it just drops and the turbos no longer work. If I stop and restart the vehicle, everything returns to normal. Any thoughts on this?

 

[DaBears4Lyfe]

Having a similar issue currently where occasionally I'll accelerate and I can feel the boost build like normal, and then it just drops and the turbos no longer work. If I stop and restart the vehicle, everything returns to normal. Any thoughts on this?

No tune or piggyback?

 

[Oryan]

Having a similar issue currently where occasionally I'll accelerate and I can feel the boost build like normal, and then it just drops and the turbos no longer work. If I stop and restart the vehicle, everything returns to normal. Any thoughts on this?

Is your right foot letting up any as you accelerate? I find that the slightest lift off the gas from moderate throttle will make the car dump everything.