I built a boost leak tester based on
this recipe. I took the skinny lower pipe from the turbo to the IC and the IC out and tested those together. No Leaks. I then hooked the IC back up and tested from the IC to the head. No leaks. Go to drive it, no power.
I'm no longer hearing the whistle form the turbo though. So maybe I tightened up whatever leak was there. There is a problem with interference between the 3rd party elbow coming from the IC and the passgr side headlight. I may need to redo that plumbing long term.
Climbing under the car I could see that PO had cut open the cat and welded it back together. I have a feeling that might be my problem. I don't know what they did to that cat, but I'll bet it's clogged.
I have a used downpipe from my Beetle that should fit, I just need to be able to get to the damn bolts on exhaust side of the turbo. I can see two from underneath, but I can't see the top one to access it.
Has anyone had any experience in removing the down pipe without a lift? All I have are ramps.
Should I want to clean the turbo out, can that be done without removing the exhaust manifold? Can't I dump oven cleaner in the EGR port and blow it out with the down pipe off?