Hi, as the subject says, i have a '88 Shadow ES (2.2L Turbo I, Mitsubishi TE04 turbocharger) 5 spd, which is only boosting to 5psi. I have read that it might be the solenoid that controls the wastegate, but i don't know where it is. Also, could there be nothing wrong and the computer is reducing the boost to avoid knocking or something? I usually run 87 octane gas, which is the minimum that can be used as said in the manual (91 is recommended). Could there be anything else wrong? When i got the car a few months ago it would boost to 10psi, andthe engine is entirely stock. I would appreciate any help that anyone can give. Oh, by the way, any idea on what a new solenoid costs?

 

solenoid are on the passenger side of the engine bay. Sounds to me that you got a vac/boost leak. Did you do anything in the engine bay latey that could of came undone?

 

I've checked the vacuum system several times and i can't find a problem. I've read that if the solenoid that controls the wastegate goes bad then you won't be able to boost over 5psi. For now i've unhooked the vacuum line that goes to the canister on the turbocharger. I've read somewhere that the turbo 1's used a weak spring in the canister until and through the '88 model year. By disconnecting the vacuum line, the exaust gasses are supposedly supposed to force open that wastegate at 14psi. I just disconnected the line yesterday, and so far that car is driving perfectly normal, i just havent tried it at WOT yet. At any rate, i think i've pretty effectively ruled out a vacuum leak: at least i can't find one.

 

Have you replace any of them. There is an orfice in the line to the wastegate and it can cause the problem your seeing. Also just swap the plugs on the solenoids with the vaper caster and swap the vac lines to should work.

 

Ive gone over the vacuum system again, and i found a hose that comes off of the valve cover that is supposed to go back to the airbox that was off. However, the aribox doesnt have the fitting for the hose in it - theres a hole for where it goes but there is nothing for the hose to go into. Also, the hose is too short, but i think it was cut. Anyway, i plugged it, and when i went for a drive the first time i floored it, the car boosted to about 15psi (I unhooked the wastegate canister vacuum hose), but every time after that it would only boost about 7psi. Could the wastegate be sticking partially open and i need a new wastegate or canister? I will be trying two things: hooking the wastegate canister back up how it's supposed to be, and if that doesn't work then try connecting it directly into the normal lines. If that doesnt work then ill just set it up in whatever configuration where i get the most boost. I just hope that i don't need to replace the wastegate or canister. Oh, and when i checked the hose later, the plug that i put in was still in there, and good and tight.