Hello,
I just returned from an overseas deployment, and couldn't wait get behind the wheel of my Evo IX MR (I'm guessing the 13 months it spent in storage is probaly where the problems began - Note, while in storage it was driven under 3K rpm's for roughly 1/2 mile and let idle for 20 minutes in order to keep it in running shape). First thing I noticed was that my check engine light was on. After a rather colorful (I'll keep it rated PG-13) one-way conversation I was told my battery was dead (not their fault, rrrrrright) and I was pointed across the street to an Autozone. I replaced the battery then drove it around the Dallas area for about 45 minutes (still keeping it under 3K rpm's just to be gentle with it) then played around a little b/t 3-5K rpm's just to hear the BOV and get re-acquainted before the trek back to Fort Bliss, Texas. The check engine light held true the entire trip but I wasn't recieving anything other than that. Well it's been 3 weeks now since I've been home and over the course of these 3-4 weeks my beloved Evo has been going down in performance and I can't figure it out at all. The only mods I have is the HKS SSQV BOV and an AEM intake. I took the car to a local shop that told me a problem was registering with the o2 sensor but they didn't know (by non-exactness of their tester kit) if it was before or after the o2 sensor (speaking swahili to me unfortunately). My problem now is that I am having serious turbo lag (my definition of turbo lag = little/no turbo spooling until I'm in 5th gear and have the car in motion typically above 40mph *regardless of rpm's the engine is using* , or responsiveness only when I jab the accelerator). After talking with some good motorheads they suggested it may be either a problem with the wastegate not opening or possibly the turbo just took a nosedive on me. I did many a google'ing and found something similier which kinda points me in the direction that it may be the BOV since it maybe a leak somewhere. The other problem I'm having is that in first gear (even up to 4K rpm's) and until I hit roughly 3-4th gear the car is barely moving (I'm pointing the finger at the decreased turbo responsiveness, but I'm thinking its goes beyond that) and when I mean barely moving, it feels like the car is being held back and that it has to force itself to work from 0-60 (0-30 being the hardest part of that speed increase). The only mitsubishi dealership probaly won't touch me (unless I intend on forking over massive amounts of my favorite, hard-earned dollars over to them so they can sit on it then point the finger at my intake then turn me away. If anyone knows the matter of this problem or how I may fix it, please tell me. I went searching through this and many other forums I just maybe using the wrong key words (I stayed with searching for bad turbos, turbo lag, HKS problems, and AEM intake problems.) Any help at all would be greatly appreciated (even just linking me other forums and such would help), thankyou much

 

sounds like a big boost leak or something of that nature. you need to go over all of your piping and double check everything is tight and connected.

 

Post the exact code that it threw. I doubt your turbo is junk or anything else serious unless there is a part of the story that is missing.

I would also chuck that BOV in the trash and put your stock DV back in.

Since it is an O2 code of some type it might have gone into limp mode and need to be reset. Disconnect the battery ground for 15 minutes and reconnect it. Let the car warm up and relearn to idle. Then take out for a ride and report back.

 

yeah check for a boost leak. If the battery was dead, theres a chance the uicp was removed to get the battery out and not tightened up. Sounds to me like whomever "idled" the car while you were gone may have messed with it.

Good luck man,

SQ

 

Does anyone know of a (I'm a G.I. so we have bad haircuts and tend to drag our knuckles around a lot) way for me to test for boost leakage (or what I should be looking/listening for) ? I have basic tools (wrenchs, sockets, etc) but nothing serious I suppose. I forgot to add this: After doing more research apparently the HKS SSQV BOV is getting horrible reviews (engine trouble, CEL's coming on, stalling, etc., etc.). Now (preparing myself for the flammage), call me a weirdo but I love the sound the currently installed BOV makes when it vents the air back into the atmosphere. While I went straight to replacing the stock metal evo IX DV with the HKS SSQV BOV and installed the AEM Intake as well, is there a safer part or mod I could possibly be able to do to the stock DV to hear something similier?

 

I DC'ed the battery ground for 20 minutes then let it idle for another 20 minutes, while the check engine light didn't come back on (thank goodness for small things at least) driving around the block was still pretty much an argument with the car while accelerating that I am definitly still losing. I contacted some shops in town and it does seem to be boost leakage of some kind. I'll be taking it to a shop this weekend and will post the results once I get an answer. I'm hoping its just a loose hose/cable/piping somewhere which results in just the re-fitting and simple tighting of supposed parts. Thankyou for everyone that hit me up. If anyone can with one last item. Can someone point me in the direction of a reputable companies BOV or open-ended intake that WON'T hurt me baby (I love that sound when it releases, god help me).

 

I see that you already have an open air filter so that was going to be my suggestion if you want to make the BOV sound more prevalent. Quite honestly though you need to ask yourself this question. Do I want a car that runs great or do I want a car that runs like crap but has an awesome BOV sound?

As far as the CEL go to Autozone or Advance Autoparts and have them pull the code and then come back and tell us what the code is. They will also clear it for you.

By the way, welcome back, my division is currently in Afghanistan.

 

After thinking about your problem some more, I would bet it is a large boost leak. Look inside your engine bay and run your hands along all your intercooler piping. Look for disconnected hoses. I bet you blew off a hose somewhere. Look at all the connectors that go from your intake manifold all through the intercooler piping. It may not be necessary to go to a shop and pay them for an unnecessary service just by searching around.

 

Sounds like a clogged catalytic converter.

 

Get a boost guage and tell us how much boost your running. I would think it is a vacume line going to the boost solinoid. So check all the vacume lines and make sure that they are all connected.

 

try putting your stock BOV back on,ur aftermarket one maybe stuck open(it happen to me once)

 

did you change your gas? i bet its bad

 

it sure does sound like a boost leak somewhere. Check the pipings, make sure all the clamp is still inplace. Boost gauage is a great idea.

 

get a boost leak check please or tell us the code its throwing, describing the problems only gets us so far. also please dont refer to all us G.I. as knuckle dragging apes, but i guess us infantrymen are pretty smart.