bad actuator?

[blackbox]

Do any of you guys know the signs of a bad actuator. I have been having problems reaching desired boost levels. The problem was that i was @ 21 psi before now im having trouble reaching that. Also my car has been very laggy since this boost problem started.

 

[Rodney87GN]

I guess you could try and apply some air pressure to the actuator and see if it holds...

But I suspect the vacuum hoses to the actuator and turbo compressor are no good, or you have an exhaust leak...maybe even a cracked header.

 

[blackbox]

thanks for the reply. The vac hoses i just changed the other day, as for exhaust leaks whats the best way to check for them.

 

[blackbox]

I looked over the headers the best i could with them on the car. I used a mirror and felt for any cracks and as far as i can tell there are none.

 

[blackbox]

how much tenson should be on the actuator rod? Should you be able to apply it on the puck with one hand without pliers?

 

[Rodney87GN]

Look around the crossover pipe to header area for leaks too. Usually you can see black traces of carbon coming from wherever it's leaking. That's how I found one of my exhaust leaks.

Rule of thumb for actuator tension is about 1/8" of pull to hook it to the puck arm. I've always had to use pliers to hook up the rod, I'm not that strong.