Hey all,

I'm having some interesting issues with my 940 turbo wagon. It has a mitsu TD04 Turbo unit on it, and it ain't working right. My boost level never really goes past 2 o'clock on the instrument panel, and it is sluggish to say the least. Also, since the hose blew off my wastegate under a 5+ rpm race with my girlfriend (I hardly beat a subaru legacy! tears, i tell you), I've got a whine coming from the intercooler/turbine area. Yes, I reconnected the little hose (but what a boost it was!) much to my chagrin. I want power! Lastly, there is a distinct aroma of fuel or exhaust accompanying this at idle, and it infiltrates the cabin when still. Yuck.

I'm no turbo expert, but this is what I've done so far, and here are my questions.

First off, I've removed the hoses and looked them closely. They seem to be in decent shape (although the one going to the radiator is a bit soft on the bottom (no visual holes, just spongy), I can't see as though this would cause the loss of power I'm getting - would it?)

I've checked the turbine for play, a little lateral, but not too much. Will check for more. IS this the whine? I hope not.

I've yet to explore the cat...which I will do. This seems to be almost a cop out. As far as I know, there is no really loose material in it. It is sound when shaken.

there is a bit of oil in the hose going to the radiator (intercooler?).

Here are the questions:

Whats the smell? Associated with the turbo performance?
Why the loss of power? Why so much when the hose to the wastegate came off, yet disappears when it is reconnected?
To me, this would seem to point to a malfunction in the wastegate/actuator. Why would it boost so well without the wastegate line, and become so restricted with it? I've tried to move the arm assembly back and forth (not sure this is possible to do by hand), and it doesn't move. Pin is there though.

Is a small, spongy area on the intercooler hose enough to seriously reduce power output?

The hose that runs over the cam cover is a bit shoddy, and worn. Could this be a problem?

How does one perform the fabled "pressure test" on the hoses that I read so much about?

The noise was once intermitten, and now is constant. Help!

Should I buy a unit for 100 bucks?


Thanks, and sorry for my long winded question.

Justin