Just a quick one - happened to wiggle the wastegate on the turbo earlier since I was looking at it whilst servicing my recirc valve, and was surprised that I was able to open the wastegate by hand rather easily.

I didn't think I would be able to open the wastegate against the spring in the actuator quite so easily!

So.. is this normal?

Planning to get a Vag Com soonish anyway, so I can check boost levels etc, but can anyone comment on the actuator spring rate?

Cheers, Andrew.

would say it's not normal.

i had (and still have) a problem with the car not delivering as expected (power) so did check the whole intake system. whilst doing this i tried moving the actuator by hand and failed.

you can pressure test it, it should start to open at 6 psi and be fully open at around 10.

more importantly: it should slam shut rapidly

IIRC the standard actuator spring is rated to around 10lb

Ta, I've got a bike shock pump somewhere which is pretty accurate so I'll have a go at pressurising it, see when it starts to open.

If it is opening early, weak spring etc, could I add pre-load to the actuator as an interim measure to achieve the required stock boost levels..?

Does the engine throw a code in the event of over-boost, as a fail safe?

You can adjust the actuator rod to add preload but I wouldn't advise it - I've got no idea how much adjustment you could safely make. You'd be safer getting another actuator.

If the turbo is overboosting then the ECU has the option to vent boost via the wastegate by using the N249 (thats assuming its not been removed). The only other way it can stop overboosting is via the N75 and wastegate.