Turbo

[Dcp1]

Hi I have just purchased my first lotus elan se 1990,the trouble is I don't think the turbo is cutting in as the boost gauge doesn't move from 0.25 that's the first line,any suggestions pls

[Rambo]

I suspect if it hasn't been used for sometime that the wastegate is stuck. Get out the mole grips and free off the actuator rod.

When you floor it you should a) feel the boost and b) get an indication on the boost gauge

[JohnB]

You should be able to feel the boost come in on hard acceleration, but if the Boost Gauge isn't showing a reading it could be just a bad earth on the boost unit under the bonnet.

[rip]

Where are you?
Maybe somebody is close who will go for a drive with you & spot what is wrong...or run Elanscan?

[Rice crispy]

check the earth on the transducer on the offside wing first. see viewtopic.php?f=31&t=20425&p=260137&hilit=transducer#p260137 for a picture
David

[Dcp1]

The only place close is paul matty sportscars and I don't want to shell out there prices.

[Fredjohn]

The only place close is paul matty sportscars and I don't want to shell out there prices.

Where exactly are you based? We could compare cars if you are close to me. Update your profile to show your location too.

[Dcp1]

Based in b66 just off jnc 1 wbrom

[Dcp1]

Took earth off transducer and gauge went straight over 1 bar,re connected and gauge stays at just about 0.25,actuator moves freely for wastegate and you can here the tone in the engine change when you move it .

[Fredjohn]

My boost gauge (and probably turbo) only works when I am driving the car, not stationary on the drive blipping the throttle.

Presume this is normal, as it certainly all kicks in when driving.

[epipete]

Yep, that is right!

[Fredjohn]

Yep, that is right!

Phew! Thanks Pete.

[epipete]

At the risk of 'teaching granny to suck .....' there are two points to remember here:

1. The Gauge and Turbo effectively operate independently of each other.
2. Neither will operate with the car stationary

So, if when driving you apply the accelerator hard, then at a certain rev level (can't recall what the reading is) then both the turbo and gauge should operate, the first you should feel, the second you should see.

If you can feel the boost but there is no reading on the gauge then the issue is probably with the transducer - check wiring (earth) and the vacuum hose (transducer to plenum) integrity.

If there is a fault with the turbo then it is usually the wastegate, I'm not sure that the gauge would show anything if the turbo was at fault anyway.

[tb10]

I'm based in B60 if you want to come over in the week?

Regards

John

[Dcp1]

Hi john thanks for the reply,I'm only off sun and nxt mon
Cheers Dave