Turbo Actuator?

[hulahoops]

can anyone tell me in a good and understanding description what a turbo actulator is... i was speeking to some one who is a mechinic but he didnt realy know what it was either he said he thinks it spins the turbo backwards when u take your foot off throttle...???

[jezza]

Basically, the actuator is what controls boost levels. It is a spring loaded arm connected to the wastegate on the turbo. When the desired boost pressure is reached, the actuator will force the waste gate open, releasing exhaust gases into the down pipe rather than spooling the turbo.

[hulahoops]

yeah well i did notice that but but the little arm wont open? when i rev it nothing moves?

[jezza]

It will only move when it reaches low or high boost pressure when the air pressure is greater than the spring rate.

[Lukew360]

If it doesnt open mate it will over boost, your car will then hit fuel cut, and run really poo! It must be opening ;)

[Glanza_cl]

it wont open just revving the car as no boost is generated well very little boost is generated... i'm sure it opens, i take it your car is boosting yeah? like when driving it comes onto boost. do the green lights on the dash light up?

the stock actuator isnt amazing and can fail sometimes causing boost issues but usually it isnt strong enough to hold the wastegate closed.

[Steve GT]

you got a boost gauge installed by the way? if theres an aftermarket actuator installed its a good idea to have a boost gauge so you can set the boost up properly and safely

[Lukew360]

When i first picked mine up the turbo was coming in but the car would shudder, like the power wasnt introduced smoothly, only on boost tho.

Also the boost lights wouldn't work properly, but i gave it a good hard drive up through the gears and its now perfect.

I think it was down to the fact that it was sitting around for a while, just needed a good shoeing!