This afternoon I decided to hook up a pressure gauge to see what my turbo was putting out. After a quick freeway run, the gauge stayed at zero. Hmmmmm. Got back out to check it out only to find one of the hoses that connect to the switchover valve had a rip in it. Luckily I had a piece of hose in the car and hooked that up.

Whoa, fasten your seatbelt. Feels like a different car. I wonder how long that thing had a rip. I knew there was a problem because the thing was a dog on the freeway trying to pass. Now it flys (to me).

I also noticed that now under hard acceleration, near high rpm's, I'm not getting any smoke where as before I was a little embarrassed at the amount. I can fiddle with the ALDA (CCW right?). But the other thing is, my turbos max output in 7+ psi, maybe close to 8.

I can open it up and adjust the wastgate spring. I tried to do that to my old CD and got a few turns and then it just spun.

What's the fix for a tired wastegate spring? Rebuilt turbo?

Thanks,

Craig

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1994 E420, Pearl Black/Black. 2.82 rear diff., AMG front spoiler, painted lower half. SOLD

1972 & 1974 BMW 2002tii's.

Someday I plan on getting a boost pressure gauge... at which point I'll also get one of these: Dawes Hybrid Boost Controller.

I haven't tried it so I can't comment on how well it works, but I've heard good things... Maybe try searching this forum.

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'81 300TD Wagon 355k (Miss Diesel)
'83 300SD 180k
'84 500SEL 190k (Parting it out)

81Wagon- I'm in SB also. You can borrow my cheapo one if you'd like.

Craig

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1994 E420, Pearl Black/Black. 2.82 rear diff., AMG front spoiler, painted lower half. SOLD

1972 & 1974 BMW 2002tii's.

Adjusting the wastegate is easy. It's getting the cap ofs that's a PIA. Once the cap is off, you will need a 13mm wrench that's been ground down on one side.

My gate was stock at 9PSI, 4 turns got it to 11PSI and 4 more got it to 13PSI. To me, a boost controller is a waste of money. I love to get under the hood and do things by hand, much more fun than splicing two tubes.

Cool, did you notice a big difference in performance from 7 to 11 to 13 psi?

I wonder why the nut on my wastegate turned a few turns and then the whole thing just spun (old CD)

Craig

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1994 E420, Pearl Black/Black. 2.82 rear diff., AMG front spoiler, painted lower half. SOLD

1972 & 1974 BMW 2002tii's.

Thanks for the offer Craig. I'm going to install a permanent boost gauge sooner or later though (along with an EGT gauge), and I'm not in a hurry.

82-300td: he was asking about a case where the wastegate was broken... not so easy to adjust then ;-). The boost controller also claims better performance than the stock wastegate; I don't know if it's true, but for 42 bucks it's worth a try! :-)

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'81 300TD Wagon 355k (Miss Diesel)
'83 300SD 180k
'84 500SEL 190k (Parting it out)

I did notice a difference from 8-13psi. It's not engough to throw your head back, put passing is much better.

If the wastgate housing is broken, it should be replaced (You probably knew that ) How is it broken? Don't forget that there is a locknut on top of the adjusting nut. If it's still tight the diaphram will just spin with your wrench and go nowhere. I don't know about better performance from the controller. It is just an air regulator. The performance it claims is likely just from the higher boost it will let the turbo have and won't reduce turbo lag at all.

My housing wasn't broken, the nut was adjusted all the way (I think) and the diaphram was just turning. I'm going to try it again on this CD.

Craig

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1994 E420, Pearl Black/Black. 2.82 rear diff., AMG front spoiler, painted lower half. SOLD

1972 & 1974 BMW 2002tii's.

DUH! I didn't see that lock nut on my old CD. Oh well.

Today I turned the adjustment nut about 5 turns and was able to get the boost up to about 10psi. Sometimes it said 9, sometimes 11. I think it might be because of my cheapo gauge.

Is there supposed to be a little engine oil in the housing cap?

Should I go higher or should I stop???? Maybe I'm being greedy.

Craig

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1994 E420, Pearl Black/Black. 2.82 rear diff., AMG front spoiler, painted lower half. SOLD

1972 & 1974 BMW 2002tii's.

10psi is okay. Any higher than that is gravy. Oil in the housing is normal as long is it's not excessive, i.e. completly full.

I have mine up to 13psi. Remember this reading is after the 5th cylinder! The pressure, in theory, is higher at the manifold entrance (#1 and 2 cylinders)

After the second adjustment I turned it up another 3 turns (Who is the greedy one here?) with no change in pressure.

In light of my nailing problem on #1, I have acually been thinking of LOWERING my boost to 10-11psi to help longevity.

OK, I'll stay with 10, besides, I'm pretty happy at 10, feels like a different car. The motor even sounds different.

I will adjust the ALDA a bit because I have very little smoke even under hard acceleration.

Craig

__________________
1994 E420, Pearl Black/Black. 2.82 rear diff., AMG front spoiler, painted lower half. SOLD

1972 & 1974 BMW 2002tii's.