59 replies to this topic

[Robbks]

^^ Jim's got it
And your picture is perfect.

it's only one hose to move to ensure your small blow-by issue isn't causing any unwanted effects of lowering the octane rating under boost... (saving you from a tick-tick-boom moment with a less than adequate tune due to intake mods performed after the initial tune.)
all your idle issues could probably be logged and fixed with an appropriate tune if all the mechanicals check out ok.

Or while the engine is out to fix the clutch...............

dare I say it.?

[LukeFranky]

Convert to single?  ... 

 

I hope I don't have to pull the clutch out and this new issue is related to the slave cylinder or something...

[LukeFranky]

Back to sorting this out.

Experimented. The more I prime the fuel pump the better. Must be losing pressure.

[Jimbo]

Time for a new pump or filter?

Check the line to the FPR aswell, might be worth a look. That line gets 11ty brittles back there.

[LukeFranky]

Fortunately I have a spare fuel pump that I never installed. Bought it from natho when I was trying to sort my A/F issues. Will swap it over. Fuel filter was changed already.

 

I'll check the line you mentioned, but I replaced all the fuel hoses when the intake was off. Maybe a clamp is fraction loose?

[Jimbo]

If i clamp was loose, you'd be pissing fuel everywhere. 

If your saying priming the fuel pump works, I guess it's a good indication it's on it's way out.

[LukeFranky]

Changed the fuel pump. New one makes different noises, but I still get rough starts.

 

What I noticed when swapping the pumps was there is no pressure in the fuel lines when I disconnected them. Only a tiny bit dribbled out. Last time I swapped the fuel filter there was much more in the lines. Should I expect pressure in the fuel hoses?

 

Still planning to order a gasket for my IACV so I can pull it off and clean it properly.

[Robbks]

the reg should hold pressure at the return line and there should be a non-return valve in the pump/ filter assembly.

My EJ20's have always held pressure for a good hour or more, and your issue where multiple primes makes it better seems to show that fuel is draining away from the rails from one end or the other.

I'm a big fan of an after-market regulator and gauge..

[LukeFranky]

I haven't spent much time on this since I last posted, but I do have some new symptoms.

 

While the car is not at full operating temp I get erratic boost on primary, pulsing between 0psi to whatever depending on throttle position. I suspect the ECV is opening and closing because if I get the revs up into the secondary range it smooths out.

 

Primary boosts smoothly again as soon as the car gets warm enough. Is there any part of the TT system that could be affected by engine temp?

[Robbks]

^^sounds exactly like the ECV is blowing open from the Positive Pressure Port and associated plumbing.
As a test, pull the vac line off teh port and block the vac line.
See if the surge continues or if it goes away.

It could be the ECV is adjusted too loose

[LukeFranky]

Will do the test soon.

Apart from being badly adjusted, what could make the ECV do that especially when cold?

[Robbks]

different levels of engine vacuum and exhaust flow when cold due to higher rpm and engine load.

UNless it's a gasket leak that closes up when it warms up.
Have seen that with Intake manifold gaskets

Knowing the history on the intake manifold and those silly spacers, I'd also be checking it with the smoker again.

[LukeFranky]

I can smoke it again but highly doubt that the intake is leaking. That manifold is down tight and snug.

I recall there was a very minor leak on the secondary exhaust valve around the rod that enters the exhaust to control the flap. Not surprised it leaks between a moving part, but could this be a possibility? It took a bit of pressure to leak a small amount of smoke, could be worse when cold.

[LukeFranky]

I think I found the reason for my rough starts. Saw a puff of gray smoke this morning and since I was cleaning the IACV anyway today I pulled the intercooler off out of suspicion. Found it full of lots of clean oil. Catch can can't catch it if it is from the turbo.

Looks like it is coming from the secondary (see photos). I actually have a spare VF21 which was on originally but swapped back to stock to eliminate that as cause of my previous running rich condition.

Doesn't appear to be much oil around the primary apart from what you would expect to see be blown around.

Since I have a VF21 with no shaft play I'm going back to it. The number of times I have swapped turbos now must make me an expert at it.

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[LukeFranky]

P.S. I would have thought it was the primary that would die because it was a dodgy rebuild on my part but it has only a fraction of shaft play just like the day I put it together.

[LukeFranky]

Given this photo I think I can safely say the secondary turbo is my source of oil.

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[LukeFranky]

Not sure if anyone is following this anymore but I spent a good part of this weekend swapping turbos.

Swapped everything including the ECV. Had to readjust the ECV rod because I had no boost. Went for a drive, everything seemed fine but after a hard run I couldn't get boost again. Got home, found the little circlip had come off and the rod came away from the actuator.

Simple fix, but anyone know what size the circlip is?

[natho]

yep, i'm still following this. i have a couple of ECVs spare, so i can take some measurements a bit later today.

 

would one of the circlips from a spare primary turbo wastegate actuator fit? I gather you have a couple of those?

 

have the cold starts improved now?

[LukeFranky]

It dawned on me this morning I could measure the other ECV actuator I have, but I didn't think of checking my blown primary wastegate for a circlip.

 

So far cold starts have been snappy and smooth, but only time will tell. On top of the turbo change I changed the oil and filter, used Subaru Upper Engine Cleaner and cleaned the IACV.

 

Before the circlip came off, the new secondary turbo was boosting a couple of PSI harder than the old one. That's a win in my book!