3200 has no power :(

[lee]

So I went and got a 3200gt auto But it seems powerless or is it me done the o2 sensors no lights on but if I give it some there is no real kick from turbos had inlet off to look for vac/ air leaks and faults id like to test all sensors but cant find info on them helppp what boost at what rpm do up you get ?? Realy hopeing to sort this asap

 

[ledlights]

You need to get the codes from the ECU for a start. That'll tell you of historical problems (unless they've been deleted). If it's an early car follow the thread in the tech section. If it's OBDII you can use a generic reader from eBay.

If you've got an inlet or plenum leak the car normally idles at 15-1800 rpm and you can sometimes hear the whistle when you rev. If the leak is upstream of the throttle body the car doesn't have a high idle but has much less power. My guess - and it is a guess Lee - is that you might have a hose off or one is split between the Y junction and the turbo outlet. When that happens the car doesn't feel quick at all.

I don't think I've ever heard anyone complain that the fully functioning car lacks power.... Quite a few have gone through hedges though.....

 

[BennyD]

Are the turbos linked to stop one producing more boost than the other? I was going to suggest it sounds like a waste gate stuck open but the chances of both being stuck open are probably very remote.

 

[lee]

hi all
iv done full smoke test so no air leaks
it did have one wastgate stuck but allready done this thay are free as a bird now
um hunt's at 700-900rpm not to bad but its there hot or cold
there was code for 02 sensors but put to new ones on so no codes or lights on now
i had to take a golf 140 tdi for test drive and the power kick is harder then mine wish someone with a 3200 can take me for a drive in there car but im in exeter
do the dump valves leak on 3200's much :s allso been looking into coil fault one dont have as long a burn time as the rest but i dont think its missing tho its hard to tell on a v8. Just i get the car i been saveing for and im going to get some lad in a saxo go past me

 

[RW3200]

Hi Lee,
The turbos should kick in around 3k rpm and pull strong to the red line, not sure of boost figures but it should be a huge difference to a golf!
Have you checked the intercoolers?

Ru

 

[lee]

Hi Lee,
The turbos should kick in around 3k rpm and pull strong to the red line, not sure of boost figures but it should be a huge difference to a golf!
Have you checked the intercoolers?

Ru

yes thay seem to be good done full smoke test of all pipes and all fine so no leaks its a weard one i no need to get a boost gage piped in and see whats going on with boost

 

[RW3200]

That will narrow things down, it all helps build the picture. Definitely sounds air/pressure related to me.
If you're not getting any codes then hopefully it'll be a simple fix when you get to the bottom of it.
Good luck

Ru

 

[hodroyd]

It could possibly be the Knock Sensors, if these are duff it limits the revs to protect the engine..?? The hoses to the tubo's can also rub through, there is one at the back of the engine bay somewhere that I had to have changed and it's under something so difficult to spot. The turbo pressure dump valve can go wappy and just keep releasing pressure..??

 

[lee]

It could possibly be the Knock Sensors, if these are duff it limits the revs to protect the engine..?? The hoses to the tubo's can also rub through, there is one at the back of the engine bay somewhere that I had to have changed and it's under something so difficult to spot. The turbo pressure dump valve can go wappy and just keep releasing pressure..??

i did do out put test on the KS today thay seem to be working getting 1-2v output when tapping them and thay look new ish to
as to the pipe i think the smoke test will have shown up a leak there
as to dump valve yes need to look into that only thing is is you give it some then back off you can hear them open whooosh sound

 

[hodroyd]

I take you have checked the every day stuff like the air filter, if that's blocked..??

 

[alfatwo]

If Its never been any good power wise and you've checked everything and I mean everything...the valve timing may have been incorrect from new.
Rob Grimaldi mentions many 3200 engines were detuned this way from the factory as not to embarrass the latest Ferrari model at the time with less BHP!

Dave

 

[BennyD]

If it can't out perform a VW diesel, perhaps they left a couple of cams out when they built it!

 

[lee]

I take you have checked the every day stuff like the air filter, if that's blocked..??

Yes pulled all the old box and filtters out and done a bigger 2.5" setup.

 

[RW3200]

Hi Lee,
The only other things I can suggest to check are the turbo actuators and exhaust intake pipe for clogging.
I've not had experience of this so am unable to offer anything other than the suggestion but from speaking to a mate with experience of high spec turbo cars this was his best guess to the origin of the problem with the info you've given.
Hope it helps

Ru

 

[hodroyd]

It might be time to get it in to an Indie for a check-up and report.

 

[Almichie]

The interesting thing about twin parallel turbos is boost can be met with one turbo, but flow will be down. You might find that one if the. Turbos is tight/not spinning. Can you hear any whining when the turbos spool; like a fire engine/police car?

Pop the intercooler pipe work off of the inlet plenum and see if you have a coating of oil inside one; this could indicate a failed/ing turbo seal.

If you are still in doubt take it to a local rolling road to see exactly how much down on power it really is.

 

[BennyD]

Even if only one turbo is working I would have thought it would produce more performance than a VW diesel. Stiff/seized turbine/compressor shafts, blocked intercoolers or loose intercooler pipes, waste gates seized open will all neuter performance. If you can hear a whine when building revs indicate that the turbine blades are going supersonic and that one or more turbos are working. If, at the same time, you can hear a rushing sound, that probably means that boost is leaking from a split pipe or loose connection. If you can hear the whine but no rushing sound that could indicate that the waste gates are seized open. If the car performs like a normally aspirated engine of a slightly less capacity then the air intake plenum probably isn't blocked. Trial and error is a sound way to locate the problem, either that or an inspired guess! Good luck, the thrill of restored performance should be your inspiration!

 

[CraigWaterman11]

If it can't out perform a VW diesel, perhaps they left a couple of cams out when they built it!

@ Benny Lol

@ OP are you sure it's turbo related? Did you do a leak down test or compression test on each one of your cylinders? I agree with Benny....not necessarily the cam part but even without turbos it should do better than a VW diesel.

 

[lee]

Ok so iv put boost gauge on it and its Makes 10psi and drops off to 8psi ish at 3000 ish rpm 8psi realy that cant be all it makes ?? Maybe this is all my prob ls turbos are free. Im thinking maybe the boost control valve is not working ?? As that vents off air to up the boost I think the wastgate spring will be 8 psi ish has some one els got a boost gauge ?? Iv got a new coil to fit to see if that helps asswell as only had a burn time of .08 ms and the rest was 1.00-1.5 ms

 

[allandwf]

Sure it should be about 1.2 Bar, is there a controller for boost? Dim memory seems to remember failsafe being about .8, could be mistaken and thinking of something else.