A large number of cars on the Australian road today are fitted with a turbocharger. Many drivers may not be aware that their vehicle is so equipped, but manufacturers tend to add this device to get more power from smaller engines and to make these cars more fuel-efficient as a consequence. Yet, as with any other mechanical component, things can go wrong with time and you may encounter some issues with a particular part of this turbo. Why should you pay close attention to the wastegate?

Turbo Operation

The turbocharger is a small but very effective device that helps to boost power from the engine by controlling the air pressure as it enters the combustion chamber. It is effectively a small turbine that will spin up to incredible speeds to increase this boost, elevate the pressure and generate additional power. The wastegate is, essentially, a protection device that can be either internal or external. The internal version is usually fitted to vehicles equipped with a smaller turbo and relies on a diaphragm to help regulate boost pressure. If you have a car fitted with a larger turbo, then it will probably have an external wastegate, as this is more capable of dealing with higher boost levels. This type of turbo is regulated by a valve.

Wastegate Issues

The performance of the turbo may be managed by electronic gadgetry, but it will only work effectively if the pressure delivered to the engine is uniform. In other words, it must be able to provide the right amount of pressurised air, based on the position of the throttle pedal.

In particular, the wastegate is designed to protect the engine from damage caused by too much air. In this situation, the gate will remain closed until the engine reaches the optimum level and will then open to release the additional and unwanted air. The performance of the gate is determined by the efficiency of the pressure spring, and once this starts to deteriorate, problems can arise.

Faulty Spring

If the spring is unable to keep the gate fully shut during normal operation, then the levels of boost will fluctuate wildly, and this will affect the combustion process. One moment the engine may have too much power, while at the next, it will struggle to turn over. If the driver is not careful, considerable damage may be caused.

Taking Action

You may hear some strange noises during acceleration caused by a faulty wastegate spring, or you may notice other performance issues. In any case, you should take the vehicle to a mechanic so they can take a close look before you incur any more damage.

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