High RPM, and no boost all the time

[keyblade2121]

Hey! Im new here, and just bought my first wagon (ej22t) about a month ago. it had a blown engine. Bad head gaskets, over heating, the usual stuff that happens when cars aren't taken care of. I honestly cant believe the amount of information on this site!

But im having a problem, and maybe some one can help out.

I took the engine out, replaced almost every bit of rubber, (head gaskets, valve covers, oil pump, etc.) I never cracked the block apart to do rings. I dont think it needs them. Hopefully...
Anyways, everything gets put back together, and I had a few STI turbos laying around, so instead of putting the factory one back on, i put that in instead. Top mount intercooler, etc.

Turned the key.

No leaks. But there is a lot of smoke coming out of the PCV lines. And the car idles at about 2500 RPM. And if i tap on the throttle, it will go even higher and then hold at that new RPM. (Say i rev it to 3500. The engine will then stay at that RPM, even with my foot off of the accelerator.)

And my boost gauge is reading no boost pressure... It says i have negative PSI. So its acting like a NA engine...

Im really confused, and lost at this point. If anyone has any advice, I would be honored if you could help me out.

Thanks so much! And ill try to stay active here, and learn more. There's a lot of info.

[wtdash]

HI,
As you noted, there is a lot of info on here. I'd Search for idle issues, to get an idea where to start looking......

BUT FIRST...I'd do a compression and Leak down test.

Did you have the heads checked?

The pistons in the EJ22T are better than NA but not forged and could be an issue. I'd ensure your engine is healthy before fighting/fixing anything else.

RE: the boost gauge, I don't know what you know, so don't get offended if this is obvious to you, but the boost gauge reads Negative pressure - ~ -20 - when @ idle.

If you're getting on it and not getting boost then something isn't hooked up right, the turbo is bad, or could be other isssues...Search on here as there's probably an answer.

GL,
Td

[keyblade2121]

Awesome. Thanks! Ya, i did a leak down test, and it was fine. I havent done a compression test... Ill go pick up a gauge this week. And I will read into idle problems. i just never found any posts that have to do with a car that holds at a really high idle once you let off the accelerator.

And for the boost gauge, I didnt know that... Turbos are kinda a new thing to me. Im used to working on old muscle cars. But thanks for clearing that up!

Alright. Ill look into it, and post back once I find anything!

[wtdash]

And I will read into idle problems. i just never found any posts that have to do with a car that holds at a really high idle once you let off the accelerator.

Look under IAC - Idle air control and TPS - throttle position sensor. You'll find many posts. May be related, but my guess is you have a vacuum issue somewhere.

If you look on here there is a PCV and a vacuum diagram thread that may help.

Td

[Legacy777]

Welcome to the BBS.

Here's the vacuum hose reference thread
http://www.bbs.legacycentral.org/viewto ... =1&t=15268

I too would suggest checking the idle air control valve.

[keyblade2121]

Awesome! Thanks so much! I have tomorrow off from work, so I will take a look.
Is it possible that a bad boost control could cause this?

And another question, how fast do these cars heat up to operating temp? (Because i had mine run for about 5 minutes, and it was already 1/3 up on the temp gauge.)

Thanks

[Legacy777]

They can heat up pretty quickly. What you described sounds normal.

[keyblade2121]

Alright. Well sorry its been so long. I've been working, so I havent had much time to work on the car. But I managed to get it to start, peak to about a 1600 rpm idle, and then drop to about 1000 rpms. and itll hold there for a second, and then proceed to die. For the turbo, am I supposed to have all pink top injectors? or red ones? and will that cause the problem i explained?
Ive checked for vacuum leaks, and there doesnt seem to be any. I need to get a can of starter fluid to check. but my boost gauge doest fluctuate like its loosing pressure...

I can keep the car running if i tap on the throttle constantly, but as soon as it hits, or goes below the 500 rpm mark, it dies.

MAF related?
Im really stuck here...
Thanks so much.

[wtdash]

Pinks are turbo injectors; Red are NA/non-turbo.

Td

[Legacy777]

Yeah, I would start by confirming you do not have any vacuum leaks. You can try the starting fluid method or use/make a "smoke machine" type setup. Others have made a way to pressure up the intake system using PVC piping and silicone adapaters.