Wastegate problem??

[FreeJack]

I have been chasing a mysterious knocking noise coming from my engine compartment. At first I thought it was the notorious crack in my exhaust header. But after inspection it wasn't. It would only happen when the car was under normal accelerating. I then thought it was a lifter. Not that. Well I found the problem. I have a ATR 3" downpipe. The wastegate puck was rattling! I turned my boost way down because my turbo is beginning to leak and the wastegate actuator was kinda loose. That's what was causing the puck to rattle.

Now..... I tightened up the actuator so the puck does rattle under normal acceleration. Not when I boost to about 10 PSI I hear the rattle even louder! Does this sound like the actuator is failing around 10PSI and causing the puck to bounce back and forth? Maybe the controller is loosing vacuum and releasing and activating in rapid succession?

I'm also getting a lot of oil coming out of the controller on the value cover. I believe that is the oil from the turbo leak.

Any suggestions? New Actuator? I know I need a new turbo.

Thanks!

 

[SHADOWII]

You are ...

talking about your waste-gate solenoid....no? If you think you have a problem w/the solenoid, hook the turbo tuner style and that will eliminate the solenoid from the equation. If you believe you have a bad turbo, remove the d/p and intake hose and check side to side play and end play. While your at it, check the fins on the turbin wheels and the openings of the turbo housings for damage. the noise can be caused by the fins hitting the walls of the housings due to too much play. If that's the case, be careful not to allow the shattered wheel pieces to get sucked into the engine. Might get alot more expensive

 

[turbojd]

I have the same problem with the wastegate puck rattling, I also have an ATR 3" downpipe, I took the downpipe off and freed it up with some PB blaster so it worked back and forth like it's supposed to, but with the hot and cold cycles it is now frozen shut(no rattles).You are probably going to have to do what I did, I just ordered a 1.375" whole stainless steel puck assembly from RJC racing, didn't have time to install it yet so I don't know the outcome , the price from RJC for the stainless steel wastegate assembly was $49.00.

 

[FreeJack]

It was the puck.

I tightened up the actuator a bit and it went away.

Thanks for the tip on the stainless puck. I may do it also!

 

[Toby_Goodmk]

I am chasing an annoying rattle so I did a search on the forum and this old thread come up. I wanted to add a couple videos to see if this was a similar condition. I realize the OP may no longer be active, but thought I'd bump it to see if anyone else came across the issue as well. Take a listen

I did check all the below items first before it "hit" me.

Bell housing
Exhaust
Valve train
Power Brake under light load 5lb-8lb boost (no noise)
Flex plate
TQ bolts
Flex plate bolts
Cooler lines
Timing chain
water pump
Ac clutch
Exhaust heat shields

I think its that damn puck vibrating at a certain low boost level.