Boost Solenoid Maintenance

[Higgo78]

CHECK OUT MY THREAD TITLED KNOCKING FROM MOTOR!

Make sure all the hoses to the solenoid are connected, as dave (blueboost) cleared up for me, running 16psi, and not having this connected I was estimated to be pushing 24+psi at around 4000 - 4500 rpm...

My new motor is due to arrive tomorrow. Food for thought. Maintenance on these vehicles is a MUST, but the care taken, and the knowledge required, is also a MUST. Cost me $3500 to $4000, maybe more, and my car has been off the road for 3 months trying to finance this.

All because that little hose was NOT connected.

Thanks :-) Sorry to here bout your car Matt, I will have to spend some time this weekend making sure everything is where it should be. I think it may be doing this because even at low rpm like 1200 - 1600 you can here turbo flutter... Just giving it a bit to get out the driveway, and soon as you take you foot of the gas at any speed(even at 40kmph), you can hear turbo flutter.

Can't be good for it, but don't know how to fix it. I have boost gauge and it doesnt go over 5 psi, but when you give it a bit of WOT, turbo sounds very loud spooling.... I have been in quite a few XR6T's as I have just bought this one; and this sounds different to any other one I have driven. I have taken it to Blacktrack Performance here in Newcastle and Justin said it is alright, but I am not too sure, just doesnt sound normal to me.... It is running Plazmaman 110HP cooler, and Plazmaman Plenum, UBP, but it doesnt have flash box and is running standard tune. Where would the boost gauge normally be plumbed in? Maybe I need to check if it is reading properly.... Any ideas?

[Paulie2256]

If the boost solenoid is disconnected but boost gauge does not go over 5psi then maybe there is manual boost control. The boost gauge should be connected to a T piece off your vac line (the one running to your BOV)

[discostig]

even at low rpm like 1200 - 1600 you can here turbo flutter...

It is running Plazmaman 110HP cooler, and Plazmaman Plenum, UBP, but it doesnt have flash box and is running standard tune.

Standard tune as in stock? I've heard of a cooler being ok on standard tune, don't know about a plenum as well. I'd say that alone will give overboosting? And yeah something could be loose but if it's been looked at you'd think that wouldn't be the case.

[stevegong]

So the general consensus from a few pages I read is to clean the solenoid as there should be no harm in it but to gain some good, if done without any glitches.

Not sure if I should attempt it yet (as I am keen to), because someone here wrote when asked if it was ok to do the fg model that is was not or wouldnt be nessary to do so.

Yet others are saying its not a bad idea to do it every 10k or so.

My fg has done 20,000km and it seems ok but probably wont know if it needed cleaning until I do it and see if it does go a little bit more better.

Also,I have noticed that sometimes if I do plant my foot down that in second gear (auto) it kind of struggles a second or two and then picks up again.

Not sure if this (solenoid) may be cousin it or not but would probably be good idea to try this little maintenance ?

Will be going for a retune on Tuesday with Tunehouse and might explain this little problems to Jim as everyone speaks highly of him and thus my reasons going to him and not to the previous tuner (bit of the topic there)

So, in a nutshell, this Solenoid maintenance should be ok for anyone to do, even an FG ?

Thanks in advance guys.

[PHANTMXR6]

I think it may have been me that said it was probably not necessary on an FG. That was a while ago though.

It won't do any harm in giving it a go so if you're keen then go for it.

My car now has 25+kms on it and it may be something that I do next service and see if there's a gain to be had.

[Fords Rule]

Did mine today and I can't use a spanner I'm that useless when it comes to anything mechanical and have hands like boxing gloves.

Anyway I gave it a go and was going good until I pulled the hose off and found I had a whole length of hose in my hand not knowing where HECK the other end came from.

So after myself thinking the worse I just settled myself down with a cuppa and went back under the bonnet and found the nipple under the turbo and put 2 and 2 together and reconnected it after I WD40ed the solenoid and hose.

Then I put everything back together went for a run and I did notice a BIG difference.

I have 77.000ks on her so I'd say it was long overdue.

As for a 10 minute job!!! Not for passion fingers here more like 45 minutes but I'm pleased I gave it a go as it was well worth it.

So thank you for posting this topic and for everyones input I really appreciated it and I just love this site and its members experiences and helpful tips on car maintenance. Keep up the good work.

Cheers Mark..Fords Rule

[stevegong]

Good on ya Mark

I'm glad it all went well for you at the end mate.

I'm yet to have a go, but if you can do it (no disrespect mate ) with "boxing glove hands", I should have a go as well (maybe not).

[Fords Rule]

Steve you'll kill it mate.

Your right when you say if I can do it anyone can do it.

When I pulled off the hose and realised I had the whole length of hose in my hand I must admit that I began to sweat like Mal Meninga after full time but I have learnt from it.

And the next thing I'm going to tackle is a plug change following the step by step directions posted with pictures on this site.

Wish me luck I'm gonna need it.

I'll give myself plenty of time and get it right I hope

Cheers Mark..Fords Rule

[NVT]

Hey Guys,

Just did this today and have to say that boost comes on much faster and is waaaaaaaaaay more responsive. Even though it took me a little longer than 10 minutes, it was absolutley worthwhile!

Sort of sh*t myself when I read the few posts above relating to the lower solenoid hose being disconnected, but I went out and checked and all seems fine As Arjey mentioned, I've had no O2/limp mode issues and its running beautifully, so seems like all is well.

I am in no way mechanically minded, but If I can do it, then anyone can If you're contemplating it, just read through this thread and read the issues/solutions offered and give it a go. Also make sure all the hoses are connected!

Cheers for the thread guys,

Dan

[RHR]

For those with FG's you are able to do it too. I did it today as part of the service and yes there was a difference