MIGHT have located a large issue with my Thunderbird... Opinions needed

So after spending last night pissed off, I thought aboiyut my issues with the car more today:

Builds 10PSI in neutral

Builds 20PSI going down the road on a 10LB wastegate

Air meter door flutters uncontrolably under cruise

BIG rich point as boost reaches 10PSI (9s in the a/f department) but leans out to 10.2 or so up top

Low on power


On a whim I set up a ghetto pressure tester (foot pump capable of 100PSI and a few fittings) and the first thing I tested was the Wastegate actuator. I can HEAR PRESSURE bleeding out from somewhere near the act8uator itself, and its enough of a bleed that it won't HOLD any pressure. In fact, the only way I can get the gauge on the pump to move is if I really step on the foot pedal QUICK. If I do that, the WG arm will move slightly like it should. I know that it shouldnt bleed off pressure like that.... and after checking the vac hose going to the WGA itself, I know that the leak is actually INSIDE the actuator.... so in other words, the diaphram is ruptured.

This translates into a rather large boost leak... and that is the reason why my 10 PSI wastegate actuator can only control the boost to about 20. It must be leaking the rest off somehow. This also might explain my air meter door flapping.... and the rich condition I'm seeing. I don't think that it explains the boosting in neutral thing, but hell.... if it fixes the other problems, the car might actually run right.


What are your opinions on this? If I cant get it fixed, its getting sold and I'm moving on.

I build enough boost on a neutral rev to pop the BOV if I push it above 4k nothing to be scared of.

Also, thanks for starting a new thread every time you pop your fucking hood

Peter MS3 wrote:

Also, thanks for starting a new thread every time you pop your fucking hood

Fuck you Peter! LOL If I actually did that, I'd have the highest post count on this site LOL. I promise that if i can get it running right, I'll stop bitching about it so much! hahahah

Well hopefully this does it for you, I know you have put a lot into trying to figure that thing out.

Thanks Peter. I hope this is it too....I would love to have the car out this year sometime. At least for more than 5 minutes.