Hehe...I think I just avoided catastrophe.

[Snorman]

Since shortly after getting the car, I've noticed a rattle that I suspected was detonation on the 1-2 and 2-3 shifts. Although I'm quite sure that funk-a-delic factory boost gauge isn't totally accurate, I'm pretty sure it shouldn't have been pegging at 15psi with a 100% bone stock car.
Until I could figure out what was going on (I need a Scanmaster!), I decided to keep a 50/50 mix of Sunoco GT100 and 94 in the tank.
This week, I ordered a few things from Kirbans. Today, I was poking around...putting on the breathers and tinkering...and lo and behold I find the vaccuum line to the wastegate solenoid deterioted and torn at the fitting. I had about 2' of replacement hose in my roller cabinet, so I replaced all of the tubing and snugged it on all the fittings with some small zip ties.
I took the car out for a spin, and on repeated full throttle blasts, the gauge never showed more than 12psi and the car didn't make a sound. Problem solved.
The more I tinker with this car, the neater it becomes to me. I'm going to pull out the intercooler and clean it this afternoon now that I put on the Kirban breathers.
S.

 

[Black Car]

With that hose off, you turbo was putting out all the boost it could make. Somewhere from 20-27# of boost. You are very lucky if you didn't take out the head gasket or worse.
I bought a broken 86 GN that didn't run. Same problem but the guy didn't know anything but how to stomp on it.
This one wasn't lucky. The crankshaft broke at #1 rod bearing.

Hope you are lucky.

Gary

 

[turbo buicks]

my car is close to stock ( KN, no cat, one valve cover breather) and after i cleaned the gunk off the WG solenoid it went from 10 psi to a solid 15. 15 psi is stock boost level i believe. my car does fine. i might hear a little knock but only when its 210 deg. coolant temps., 100+ deg. out and at 15 psi for over 5 secs.
stick boost guages suck! i can got from 15 vac to 5 vac on my autometer guage and the boost guage will show 10 psi!

 

[UNGN]

That is a usual thing that happens in the first few months of turbobuick ownership and is usually the first experiece with DETONATION! vs. light pinging or usual knock retard that only registers on a scan tool and you never know about it.

The guy I bought my car from never even knew that was the root cause of him breaking a sparkplug electrode off and burning an exhaust valve (caused by detonation caused by a cracked wastegate hose) I found it a few weeks after I bought the car.

Good thing these cars are tough, Back when I was young and stupid, I raced every week for 3 years without a scan tool (what did I know). I was very lucky not to have blown my car up on numerous occasions. It taught me to be conservative, only change one thing at a time and if performance falls way off for some reason, park it and look it over (vs. turn up boost, maybe it just needs more boost...)

 

[Snorman]

It was pegging the stock gauge with ease, I'm sure it was making significantly more than 15psi.

One question...on the passenger valve cover is what appears to be a type of plastic regulator. There are two ports on it, one T's off and goes to the compressor and wastegate solenoid. I'm told the other port is to stay open and unsealed...is this true? I know with it sealed, I get 12psi on the stock gauge. Opening this port gives me 14/14/15 on the stock gauge, no detonation and it feels crisp.

S.

 

[turbo buicks]

sounds like your referring to the wastegate solenoid. one port is connected to boost line and other side is to be left open.

 

[d0n_3d]

Originally posted by UNGN
That is a usual thing that happens in the first few months of turbobuick ownership and is usually the first experiece with DETONATION! vs. light pinging or usual knock retard that only registers on a scan tool and you never know about it.

The guy I bought my car from never even knew that was the root cause of him breaking a sparkplug electrode off and burning an exhaust valve (caused by detonation caused by a cracked wastegate hose) I found it a few weeks after I bought the car.

Good thing these cars are tough, Back when I was young and stupid, I raced every week for 3 years without a scan tool (what did I know). I was very lucky not to have blown my car up on numerous occasions. It taught me to be conservative, only change one thing at a time and if performance falls way off for some reason, park it and look it over (vs. turn up boost, maybe it just needs more boost...)

i am starting to learn this too about turbobuick ownership

 

[speedy1320]

Actually the Wastegate Solenoid although REMAINS OPEN at one port......there should be a small piece of foam attached to it to prevent any kind of debris getting ingested into it.

Most people sell the solenoid new and it isn't too expensive......and it DOES come with this foam filter.


Tom

87 WE-4

IT GOES !