Dumb question #1

[LIRS6]

I'm not hearing the usual turbo whine under acceleration; no spooling-up sound. Can't tell by butt-dyno if the usual power is there or not...sometimes it feel like it is, sometimes not (my brain playing tricks with me?). Is there any way to determine if I'm getting boost besides using VAG-COM (I don't have one)?

[snoopra]

No dumb questions here.......well....... maybe the post heading:)
Well I would suggest getting a VAG-COM since the only other option is installing a boost gauge(too much work!).

[V8weight]

I suppose if you didn't want to purchase the Vag-com, you could just buy a boost gauge and temporarily route the line through the window just to check it without actually having to install it. You could just splice a "T" into your fuel pressure regulator line and then cap it off when you're done.

[skribe]

Use the hillbilly dyno: Do some timed 0-60 runs with a stopwatch.
Or the advanced hillbilly tuner through-the-window gauge like pat said. You can get a cheap boost gauge for $20 at pep boys.

[ttboost]

...or the "other than advanced hillbilly" method and buy a Performane Box and be accurate every time?

[skribe]

Just a hunch, but a guy who doesn't have a vag-com probably isn't going to spend $500 on a vbox.
Everybody knows hillbillies, when properly calibrated, are significantly more accurate than butt-dynos.

[ttboost]

Just a hunch, but a guy who doesn't have a vag-com probably isn't going to spend $500 on a vbox.
Everybody knows hillbillies, when properly calibrated, are significantly more accurate than butt-dynos.

Fair enough. I figured a guy that can afford a RS6 can afford a $450 box to datalog performance. I never heard of Vag-Com until I started hanging out here...still don't know really what it is...I was more curious what a stock RS6 runs 60-130.

[Shoppinit]

There are some generic OBDII readers that will give you boost pressure and some fault codes if you can't stretch to a vagcom.

I would suggest that a vagcom is the essential RS6 tool to have though.

[ben916]

Just a hunch, but a guy who doesn't have a vag-com probably isn't going to spend $500 on a vbox.
Everybody knows hillbillies, when properly calibrated, are significantly more accurate than butt-dynos.

The proper Hillbilly VAGCOM would be to have Jeb in his 10-speeder bicycle holding on to the passenger window or A pillar while LIRS6 steps on da go-pedal and have Jeb listen fer the spoolie whistling thingies...
Jeb should be properly calibrated by having him listen for a turbo diesel p/u...

FWTW- I can only remember one or two turbo failures noted on this forum.

[Shoppinit]

Much more likely that boost is being cut the ECU for some other problem. Could be a multitude of things. If it's being cut, that is, and it's not all in your imagination :)

[LIRS6]

Thanks gents, I think I'll make the investment in VAG-COM .. (have only owned the car for 6 yrs).

[ben916]

Thanks gents, I think I'll make the investment in VAG-COM .. (have only owned the car for 6 yrs).

Ross TECH... I might have the link here somewhere...

[LIRS6]

Ross TECH... I might have the link here somewhere...

Thanks, took the plunge, should receive the HEX-cable thing next week ... so lots more dumb q's a-coming!

[ben916]

Thanks, took the plunge, should receive the HEX-cable thing next week ... so lots more dumb q's a-coming!

The dumb question is not asking....

Remember, I believe I have the unofficial current record of lurking for 4 years before jumping into the fraternity.
My first issue was the speed sensor as I pressed it while moving slowly from a stop light at like 2-3 mph and every time I would accel from ANY stop, it would scream at me...

No Dave, it isn't gonna take me 4 years to get my EBC reds on either...

[LIRS6]

Ok, so I received my toy from Ross Tech today. Ran a check for fault codes, none found (except something about the fm radio amplifier). Can someone guide me as to how to check for boost, or point me in the direction of an on-line guide where I can learn how to do diagnostics with vag-com... tia

[LIRS6]

I made the following boost log (my first attempt at such) - just a short run 0->40 or so, but can anyone comment for me whether the boost I'm getting appears to be as it should? I'm at sea level. TIA

20 April 2010
TIME Group 115 - Field 0 TIME Group 115 - Field 2 TIME Group 115 - Field 3
STAMP Engine Speed STAMP Boost Pressure - Boost Pressure - (specified) (actual)
/min mbar mbar
252.84 720 252.84 1000 252.84 1010
253.03 880 253.03 1230 253.03 1010
253.2 1360 253.2 1210 253.2 1000
253.37 1880 253.37 1260 253.37 1010
253.55 2040 253.55 1330 253.55 1020
253.72 2160 253.72 1490 253.72 1050
253.9 2280 253.9 1630 253.9 1090
254.07 2480 254.07 1640 254.07 1140
254.24 2720 254.24 1650 254.24 1220
254.43 2960 254.43 1650 254.43 1310
254.6 3200 254.6 1640 254.6 1420
254.77 3520 254.77 1620 254.77 1560
254.95 3880 254.95 1600 254.95 1670
255.12 4240 255.12 1610 255.12 1740
255.3 4520 255.3 1640 255.3 1700
255.48 4920 255.48 1680 255.48 1640
255.65 5160 255.65 1650 255.65 1580
255.82 5520 255.82 1670 255.82 1560
256.01 5800 256.01 1500 256.01 1580
256.18 5960 256.18 1260 256.18 1430
256.35 5480 256.35 1000 256.35 1310
256.53 4720 256.53 1000 256.53 1470
256.71 3840 256.71 1000 256.71 1420
256.87 3680 256.87 1000 256.87 1250
257.05 3680 257.05 1000 257.05 1160
257.23 3680 257.23 1000 257.23 1130
257.4 3680 257.4 1000 257.4 1100
257.58 3680 257.58 1000 257.58 1080
257.76 3640 257.76 1000 257.76 1070
257.92 3560 257.92 1000 257.92 1060
258.11 3520 258.11 1000 258.11 1050
258.29 3480 258.29 1000 258.29 1030
258.45 3200 258.45 1000 258.45 1030
258.62 2920 258.62 1000 258.62 1040
258.8 2640 258.8 1000 258.8 1050
258.98 2640 258.98 1000 258.98 1050
259.16 2600 259.16 1000 259.16 1050
259.33 2600 259.33 1000 259.33 1050
259.51 2640 259.51 1000 259.51 1050
259.67 2640 259.68 1000 259.68 1050
259.86 2360 259.86 1000 259.86 1050
260.04 2040 260.04 1000 260.04 1050
260.2 1920 260.2 1000 260.2 1050
260.38 1720 260.38 1000 260.38 1050
260.56 1720 260.56 1000 260.56 1050
260.73 1720 260.73 1000 260.73 1050
260.91 1680 260.91 1000 260.91 1050
261.09 1680 261.09 1000 261.09 1050
261.25 1720 261.25 1000 261.25 1040
261.43 1680 261.43 1000 261.43 1050
261.61 1680 261.61 1000 261.61 1040
261.77 1640 261.77 1000 261.77 1040
261.95 1680 261.95 1000 261.95 1040
262.13 1640 262.13 1000 262.13 1050
262.31 1640 262.31 1000 262.31 1050
262.48 1640 262.48 1000 262.48 1050
262.65 1640 262.65 1000 262.65 1050

[JRS-RS6]

Graph:

http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy119/JRS-RS6/LIRS6Boost.jpg

[LIRS6]

Thanks for the graph, hopefully one day I'll figure out how to do that. Meantime, can anyone pls comment if the actual boost values are what they should be, or if there is any indication of a boost issue. I see that they exceed the specified values over a short period, just don't know how to interpret the info.

[JRS-RS6]

Thanks for the graph, hopefully one day I'll figure out how to do that. Meantime, can anyone pls comment if the actual boost values are what they should be, or if there is any indication of a boost issue. I see that they exceed the specified values over a short period, just don't know how to interpret the info.

Not much data to work with. It would have been good to have the MAFs too. Was this second gear or first gear? Anyway looks pretty much like requested and actual (apart from delay of close to 3 seconds which seems a little long) track fairly well and are stock. Log groups 002, 003, and 115 through a couple pulls and just keep the logging on. You can always delete or hide data later. From Group 002 you can sum both MAFs (maximum values) and divide by 0.8 (multiply by 1.25) and get a rough idea of your peak HP.

Example Graph:
http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/yy119/JRS-RS6/BaselineStock.jpg
The car in this graph runs very strong. Oh and don't forget to use the duck-foot-rat technic as was done for the above. :)

[LIRS6]

I'll try to do some more logging soon including MAFs, thks vm.