Stagea C34 Lost Power -- Limp Mode?

[Rotaron]

Hi all

I have a issue with my stagea concerning the loss of power., possibly in some sort of LIMP mode?

Car: Stagea C34 1999 model RS4S manual

Mods: Standard turbo, Large front mount intercooler, 12 PSI boost, POD filter & NISTUNE ECU, CAT back 3inch exhaust.. nothing over the top. She is a good tow car !!

Scenario: Driving to work the other day gave the car a boot full to get around some cars, The car during hard acceleration had a massive hesitation ( similar to bouncing off rev limiter) then backfired. I lifted off quickly and then from then on the car has had no power or even very little boost.

It will very slowing accelerate to speed and you can here it labouring ( But not missing or poping or pinging).

Car idles nicely every thing works.. no engine light ... i am also able to rev the with no load and it will rev to 6k to 7k no problem.

No oil leaks,

No blue smoke out of the exhaust.

Engine is idling beautifully sits on 900 rpm rock solid.

everything under the bonnet looks ok.!!!!

Things i have tried:

Did a full ECU check using the consult port and it gave me code 55 - meaning no problem found with ECU.

Disconnect battery for a couple of hrs then reconnected to no eval.

I checked all of the hose's including turbo piping to see if something is blown off.. nothing found

I checked Air flow meter for damage but nothing looks bad. I even disconnected the airflow while the motor was running and it started to hunt then die hence i am thinking air flow meter is OK.

What to try next?

Is there a possibility of a blown turbo?

Can there be a ignition issue?

Can there be other sensors but surely that would cause the ECU to give a problem code??

Co lapsed Cat?

Help would be appreciated!

Rotaron

[66yostagea]

AFM

[Duncan]

Well 9 times out of 10 those symptoms describe a pop-ed off or split intake pipe. The other time it is a blown turbo You really need to pull the dump pipe off to check the rear turbo wheel if you can't find a split hose, or maybe just check in the front of the cat....

[Rotaron]

Can the AFM still be stuffed if it doesn't look physically damaged? And if it is stuffed then why does it idle so nicely? Surely the AFM would make it hunt or idle very poorly.

I also have new theroy:

Blown exhaust wheel off turbo shaft... hence no real boost? Looks like i will be taking off front part of exhaust to check for rear turbine has delaminated off the shaft. if it has it will be sitting next to the CAT.

[Rotaron]

HI Duncan

you beat me to my previous post. I will let you know what i find at the CAT

[gts_koop]

If it is a blown exhaust wheel, how long have you been running 12psi? Seems a pretty low key set-up...surprised it'd cause the wheel to blow off? How many km's do you have?

[wolverine]

I agree with Duncan normally blown hose but it has all the hallmarks of a turbine wheel shitting itself...12psi is enough.

[hoy32]

Let us know how you go Ron......if it is the turbo, at least it gives you an excuse to highflow it!

[Rotaron]

Hi lads

Confirmed it on the weekend when i pulled it out. Exhaust impeller blown to million pieces and wait for it .................. front compressor impeller blown in a million pieces as well :wacko: intercooler was full of broken bits. Cleaned everything out on the weekend with the hot high pressure spray hose at the servo.

Hence i just dropped the turbo off today to hypergear for high flow job. He is in Campbellfield.

Link here http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/topic/261613-hypergear-hiflow-service-continued/

:yes: :yes:

Now i have ordered the new nissan tubo gaskits.

And i am after new fuel pump and injectors to suit the new turbo. Any suggestions... remember this is a street car.

Then off to get re-nistuned at the Dyno.

Not happy that it has happened but i am using this as a excuse to put some extra goodies into the car. Dont want to go stupid as it is still a daily driver / tow car for the race car.

Hence talking with the guy at Hypergear he advised that it will be nice and streetable with good low response but still have a good top end as well with his high flow job that he does.

[gts_koop]

Crap news dude, but sounds like it'll be a much more fun tow car when back on the road!

Out of interest, how much power were you making with the old setup, and how much are you expecting from the high flow and fuel upgrades?

[Rotaron]

Gaskits came today... ready to go for weekend install.

need pump and injectors to suit now

[wolverine]

Have you done a compression test? Compressor wheel in pieces warrants checking that everything is healthy before taking the next step.

[Daleo]

Yep, I'd be looking to get an endoscopic camera in through the spark plug holes just in case any of that made though.

[hoy32]

Walbro 255lph seems to be a straight forward install on the stagea. And seeings thought its your daily that will be enough for what you need.

http://www.skylinesaustralia.com/forums/topic/323722-stagea-walbro-pump-fitting-guide/

As for injectors Deatchwerks plug in with no mods, no rewiring needed. They are decently priced as well.

[Rotaron]

New High flow turbo went in on the weekend.. All running well now. Have to baby it until i get the pump and injectors sorted out then get it Dyno tuned.

I gave it a light load squirt around the block with no issues's.

Certainly sounds different when it spools up...but turbo still seems nice and responsive... Time will tell when i get it all dyno'd :yes:

[picklesRs4]

sorry for starting up an old one again but i just want to ask when putting the highflow on did you have to get the tune and suppoting mods straiight away?

or can you just run it for as long as you want till you can afford supporting mods?

[scotty nm35]

If you keep the boost low enough, like 7 psi, you should be able to drive it around ok, off boost should be fine. The ecu will definitely need a tune though, make sure you change the plugs for the tune as they will be fouled.

Sorry Rotaron, I should have mentioned I can help you out with prices on injectors and pump if needed, but I assume you are sorted by now...

[picklesRs4]

ok sweet, so boost wont be made higher by the turbo it'll only be if i screw around with it? (i owned a commodore before this so im a mostly cluless with turbo boos etc.)

[Rotaron]

Well i be telling the truth when i say that i haven't had a chance to get it Dyno'd.... Just been to busy. racing my other car and plenty of work and home project on the go.

I have got the boost set at stock levels and it drives great.... Stagea towed my race car to the island no problem last weekend.

Also got my self some injectors and a new oxy sensor as well.

Still need to get the fuel pump as i havent had a chance to get that one sorted yet .

Then it is off to get it Dyno'd... hopefully in the next couple of weeks.

It all comes down to time. :wacko: :wacko:

[Rotaron]

By the way.... i have been driving the car gently and am being mindful not to just give it a boot full until i get it all Dyno tuned.