kaldek Member 71 Member For: 17y 5m Posted 28/05/08 03:20 AM Share Posted 28/05/08 03:20 AM (edited) So with all the hype around this magical power-recovery by cleaning the boost solenoid, I just have to ask some questions.First up, what does the boost solenoid DO? I mean, if the turbo spins, it creates boost - surely the solenoid is used to LIMIT boost, applying vacuum to the wastegate, yes? Oddly it doesn't look like your average vacuum hose...so I could be completely confused.If I'm right though, what on earth can cleaning the solenoid do aside from make the wastegate open quicker when max boost is achieved? And how does that help power?!Someone...anyone? Edited 28/05/08 03:21 AM by kaldek Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
senna_T Forged Member Lifetime Members 15,818 Member For: 17y 10m 17d Gender: Male Location: SW Sydney Posted 28/05/08 03:24 AM Share Posted 28/05/08 03:24 AM The solenoid is a boost controller in simple terms. It controls when and how much the wastegate actuator opens. If the solenoid is sticky it will not open as quickly or early as it should Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat-Tony Member 5,364 Member For: 18y 9m 3d Posted 28/05/08 03:25 AM Share Posted 28/05/08 03:25 AM It doesn't. Mine has never been done, and I don't suffer from delayed boost. I might go do some before and after logging on the boost control and play Mythbuster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
senna_T Forged Member Lifetime Members 15,818 Member For: 17y 10m 17d Gender: Male Location: SW Sydney Posted 28/05/08 03:31 AM Share Posted 28/05/08 03:31 AM in my experience I have had a couple of instances when the turbo seems to kick in later in the rev-range - this isn't dependant on heat, it happens any time - and when I cleaned the solenoid it was all good for a few months Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sargo Member 107 Member For: 18y 3m 16d Location: Brisneyland Posted 28/05/08 03:33 AM Share Posted 28/05/08 03:33 AM Will be interesting to see what Fatsex comes up with, there was a natable difference in my car's performance after lubricating my boost solenoid.Anyone else get this result? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sargo Member 107 Member For: 18y 3m 16d Location: Brisneyland Posted 28/05/08 03:34 AM Share Posted 28/05/08 03:34 AM Did I say natable?WTFI meant notable.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kaldek Member 71 Member For: 17y 5m Posted 28/05/08 03:40 AM Author Share Posted 28/05/08 03:40 AM The solenoid is a boost controller in simple terms. It controls when and how much the wastegate actuator opens. If the solenoid is sticky it will not open as quickly or early as it shouldRight, so wouldn't that mean that if it's sticking you're getting MORE boost?As I understand it, the ECU has the ability to cut fuel and/or ignition to the engine if you're getting too much boost (I.e. the wastegate has failed).If what you say is true, and that cleaning the boost solenoid "increases power", then the only conclusions I can come to are thus:A sticking boost solenoid is causing overboostingThe ECU is detecting the overboosting and reacting by limiting fuel to the engineLimiting fuel to the engine is much more aggressive than using the wastegateThis in turn results in a feeling of lost powerCleaning the boost solenoid allows for a more *accurate* control of boost, which in turn feels like "more power"The ECU should probably report error codes if fuel-cut intervention is required to limit boost!I'm happy for someone to come here and correct me!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dule Donating Members 1,180 Member For: 17y 8m 8d Gender: Male Location: Sydney Posted 28/05/08 03:43 AM Share Posted 28/05/08 03:43 AM Maybe it keeps the waste gate partially open when it gets sticky. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sargo Member 107 Member For: 18y 3m 16d Location: Brisneyland Posted 28/05/08 03:43 AM Share Posted 28/05/08 03:43 AM Here's a wild and crazy idea Kaldek, invest 10 minutes, go out and lube your boost solenoid, go for a drive and let us know what you think..... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
senna_T Forged Member Lifetime Members 15,818 Member For: 17y 10m 17d Gender: Male Location: SW Sydney Posted 28/05/08 03:49 AM Share Posted 28/05/08 03:49 AM ^^^ that's an idea its not so much about getting more power, its about the response, if the solenoid doesn't get the actuator to close at the right rate, it will let more exhaust gas bypass the turbo, hence less boost at lower rpms Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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