loss of power in second gear

[adamrogers3091]

Hi all,
 
I wondered weather anyone has experienced this problem.... it\'s happen to me twice today.
 
I came off a roundabout foot right down :3gears-rh in second gear and approaching 2nd turbo spool the car seemed to loose/cut power for a second or so at which point i eased off the gas before putting the foot down again.
 
Worried me even more that it happened a second time this evening as well. Similar scenario.
 
First of all can someone help with the above please?
 
Also (at it\'s worst in second gear) when the second turbo kicks in the exhaust really gurgles and pops like it can\'t quite handle the pressue of the gases trying to escape.... I just have a back box with the standard downpipe running stock twin turbo. Is this normal?
 
any thoughts? (again)

[neil_jdmr]

Deffo not normal mate,
 
very likely blocked cat (if you still have it) or a solenoid in the nest.
 
Could also be fuel cut, do you have a boost gauge installed ?
 
 
Edited: its not just the primary/secondary transition is it? as iirc on the standard ecu its quite a dip on the crossover

[Bobbit]

Can you give us more info bud? I.e the exact rpm it happens, can you hear any unusual noises from the engine, is this in all gears, what boost you are running and what your boost guage shows etc

[adamrogers3091]

There\'s no cat and I do have a boost gauge. Could it have anything to so with my spark plugs?

It happened around 4-4500 rpm, didn\'t notice any unusual noises, only happened in second gear and to be honest I wasn\'t watching the boost gauge both times so I didn\'t see the pattern but I\'m pretty sure the car is boosting as it should otherwise

[Bobbit]

When did you last change the plugs and which ones are you currently using?
But sounds like the transition is the key, could even be a slipping clutch as when the 2nd tubby comes online you do get quite a kick and this can cause a worn clutch to slip

[adamrogers3091]

I bought this car last Saturday so I am unaware when the plugs were changed last. have ordered some more to replace anyway. the plugs on there are NGK BUR9EQP.

Also I have a slight oil leak and I am yet to find the exact source, should find out next week. after having a quick look it seems to be coming from quite high up on the dipstick side of the engine.

It could be the clutch slipping I suppose....not sure though.

[Bobbit]

Oh right, sounds like it could just be the transition then fella. From 4000rpm you get a dip in power while the turbo control actuator moves to the fully open position, so for 500rpm (or so) you get a dip in power then all hell breaks loose at 4500 rpm when the 2nd turbo comes online.
As Neil said on a stock ecu the transition can be quite obvious. The car should pull from 2000rpm to 4000rpm, then a dip until 4500rpm and then stay on power until well over 7000 rpm when the power will easy off slightly until redline. The exhaust will gurgle and bop normally bud, it\'s all part of the fun of an FD, I love it when mine lets out a really loud fart in traffic, BOP, BOP, bop bop bop, makes me smile everytime.

[adamrogers3091]

Thanks Bobbit, My rex seems to be running as it should as you described apart from these 2 occations. Could be looking at a new cluthc then I guess? If so any idea on price?

[Bobbit]

Not to sure on price, but a simple check is to park up, leave the hand brake on and try to pull away in 1st, if the car lurches forward then the clutch is ok, if it doesn\'t the the clutch is on it\'s way out.

[adamrogers3091]

Cheers, I\'ll get that checked out. If it turns out the clutch is OK, then at this stage is it left as a bit of a mystery?

Anyhow I\'m changing oil, oil filter, flushing coolant and fitting new plugs next week as well getting the oil leak fixed so If I have still have a problem after that no doubt I\'ll return seeking more help!! Hopefully it won\'t come to that though!

[Bobbit]

If the problem is still there after a full service then it could be something in the rats nest, i\'m guessing a sticky solenoid spring would be the most likely culprit. But try a service first as it could just be the sparks need swapping.

[adamrogers3091]

Also thinking about it, I don\'t think it will be the clutch slipping as it would have still revved wouldn\'t it. If I remember rightly It didn\'t.

Let see what happened after the little clutch test and the service...

[Bobbit]

I thought that would have been the case when my clutch was slipping but as the revs increased under load the boost went irratic and caused some very strange effects, popping and banging from the exhaust and a lot of juddering/hesitation as the ecu shut down the revs to prevent any damage to the engine.

[adamrogers3091]

Ok, makes sense... I\'ll do the test!

[FD3S Efini]

have you got a power FC? if your running decat without a power fc it could cause a problem
 
Kris