Turbo wastegate questions

[camaro888]

I had a 2018 Limited that had the notorious/usual Wastegate rattle. The springs were super easy to install with the Expi on the ground/didn't take wheels off. I'd say after installing the springs, it was 95% minimum noise reduction/rattle. I bought the 2 Hillman springs at Lowes, part # 543183 for like $5. The dimensions on the bag are 11/32 X 2-3/8 X 0.035"

Highly recommend doing this = cheap, fast, effective. 99% odds you DON'T get Ford to replace your turbos because of this rattling.

 

[SyndicateZ]

I had a 2018 Limited that had the notorious/usual Wastegate rattle. The springs were super easy to install with the Expi on the ground/didn't take wheels off. I'd say after installing the springs, it was 95% minimum noise reduction/rattle. I bought the 2 Hillman springs at Lowes, part # 543183 for like $5. The dimensions on the bag are 11/32 X 2-3/8 X 0.035"

Highly recommend doing this = cheap, fast, effective. 99% odds you DON'T get Ford to replace your turbos because of this rattling.

I picked up a set of these exact springs from Lowes weeks ago. I still need to install. I think imma need to either get the front end up on ramps and crawl under, or jack the front up, remove wheels and install. I attempted sticking my arm to reach turbo with wheels on ground but the wheel well covers are in the way and rim is too much in the way. My watstegates are rattling like crazy at this point

 

[5280tunage]

I picked up a set of these exact springs from Lowes weeks ago. I still need to install. I think imma need to either get the front end up on ramps and crawl under, or jack the front up, remove wheels and install. I attempted sticking my arm to reach turbo with wheels on ground but the wheel well covers are in the way and rim is too much in the way. My watstegates are rattling like crazy at this point

I was in the same boat about a year ago and just haven't even thought about it since. But yes, they sound like crap. My 87' subaru with 200k miles on it didn't have a rattling wastegate. Junk designs.

 

[Fizzy]

See my post (#12) on this thread. One end on the linkage and the other on the oil line. It can be accomplished with the vehicle on ramps.

Post in thread 'I can hear my turbo!'
https://www.expeditionforum.com/threads/i-can-hear-my-turbo.56506/post-514562

In doing some more research, a number of F150 owners with the 3.5 Eco who did this reported some loss of power/more lag when accelerating, and that going away when they took the springs off. Did you notice that too?

There's 2 or 3 different springs being recommended. Mainly the 543183 and 543210. Not sure if that problem they're seeing is related to a particular spring (one is shorter than the other, so more tension on the wastegate linkage, maybe meaning a delayed actuation of the wastegate?).

 

[5280tunage]

I'd be surprised, these springs don't have much resistance especially in the first few inches of pull. the actuator should easily be able to overcome that resistance. I haven't looked at these in great detail but many wastegates actually use force to keep the gate closed, as they have to hold back the pressure behind them. So technically the actuator releases to open the gate, using the pressure to help open. If that's the case, the springs should reduce the time to open realistically.

 

[Fizzy]

I'd be surprised, these springs don't have much resistance especially in the first few inches of pull. the actuator should easily be able to overcome that resistance. I haven't looked at these in great detail but many wastegates actually use force to keep the gate closed, as they have to hold back the pressure behind them. So technically the actuator releases to open the gate, using the pressure to help open. If that's the case, the springs should reduce the time to open realistically.

Good points. I think I'll still do it when I have the wheels off for the winter tire/rim change in a week or two. Did you put the springs on yours? And if so, which of the two spring parts did you use?

 

[SyndicateZ]

Never going with a turbo'd ford again

 

[Fizzy]

Never going with a turbo'd ford again

Don't get a turbo Toyota either then...

 

[5280tunage]

Good points. I think I'll still do it when I have the wheels off for the winter tire/rim change in a week or two. Did you put the springs on yours? And if so, which of the two spring parts did you use?

I haven't yet, I've had the springs for like a year in the garage and keep forgetting. I bought the 543183 numbers. Wonder if I can get the tech to install them for me while its in getting a new tranny, lol.

 

[5280tunage]

Don't get a turbo Toyota either then...

Ha Ha - but I have a sneaky suspicion that Toyota will pivot on the design fast, rather than never.

 

[bityw]

In doing some more research, a number of F150 owners with the 3.5 Eco who did this reported some loss of power/more lag when accelerating, and that going away when they took the springs off. Did you notice that too?

I have not notified any loss or lag of performance. I put them on at ~89k and now I’m at ~121k without issue (knock on wood).

 

[TX-EXPMAX]

I've had these springs sitting on my work bench for months now. Just saw this thread and went out and installed. No tire removal or crawling underneath. I just turned the front wheels to get access, reached up in there and popped them right on. Rattle is pretty much gone, now just need to go for a test drive!

 

[5280tunage]

I've had these springs sitting on my work bench for months now. Just saw this thread and went out and installed. No tire removal or crawling underneath. I just turned the front wheels to get access, reached up in there and popped them right on. Rattle is pretty much gone, now just need to go for a test drive!

Same, guess it's time to finally do this, once it gets back from a new tranny, not sure if that will be this calendar year or not, lol

 

[Fizzy]

Winter rim changeout done today. Whipped the springs on whilst the wheels were off. Easier than I was expecting. Driver side was a little trickier as a right handed person.

 

[SyndicateZ]

Winter rim changeout done today. Whipped the springs on whilst the wheels were off. Easier than I was expecting. Driver side was a little trickier as a right handed person.

View attachment 82720

View attachment 82721

what part # springs u use? Nicely done!

 

[Fizzy]

what part # springs u use? Nicely done!

The slightly longer spring - 540183. It really only applies the slightest pressure. Will know if they really worked the next time I’m in a drive through beside the wall.

Came in a six pack so a few spares for when these rust out.

 

[bmpcamry09]

Nice work.

I had a hard time believing people who were saying the springs reduced their performance. That's not even how the wastegate system on these works. The gates are held back by the actuators until needed. Check engine lights would pop off like mad if the wastegate actuators weren't functioning properly. There's about 20 possible PCM codes related to that system and all are sensitive.

Those springs will not be harmful to those wastegate actuators. No one realizes how strong those actuators actually are. Try holding one back immediately after cold start and it'll shove your hand right out of the way.

I throw springs on every single 3.5 from 17-20 that I work on, never had any issues. Tuned or stock. Doesn't matter. But on all of them, the chatter at cold start is greatly reduced. Chatter from the turbos heard during acceleration can be modified via wastegate tables in tuning as well.

 

[Fizzy]

I had a hard time believing people who were saying the springs reduced their performance.

Yeah, I was a little skeptical too. The placebo effect can be pretty powerful. People will swear something is happening just because the idea is in their head, despite no real world actual difference.

The only thing I’m wrestling with is whether I should take the springs off before any pre-paid maintenance visits, extended warranty visits etc. I can imagine Ford seeing those and blaming everything imaginable on them.

 

[DWs-TTEB]

Winter rim changeout done today. Whipped the springs on whilst the wheels were off. Easier than I was expecting. Driver side was a little trickier as a right handed person.

View attachment 82720

View attachment 82721

Used these same springs and installed them today. Used my hand and needle nose pliers and about 5 minutes of my time. Reached in over the wheels and pulled back the wheel well liners.