How Electronic Wastegate Actuator Failure Affect the Performance of Your European Car
Of late, high-end European cars are coming equipped with electronic wastegate actuator, which is one of the most crucial components of the turbocharger system in these vehicles. In fact, the electronic wastegate actuator helps in controlling the turbocharger’s boost pressure when you are operating the turbocharger system.
When the electronic wastegate actuator encounters issues with its functioning, then the engine management system fails to control the turbo boost properly. In this article, we will discuss the ways electronic wastegate actuator failure affects the performance of European cars.
Drastic Loss of Engine Power
One of the immediate repercussion of electronic wastegate actuator failure in your European car is related to the functioning of the engine as it is going to see a dramatic drop in power generation. In fact, the actuator helps in controlling the opening and closing of the wastegate to regulate the flow of the exhaust gases flowing through the turbocharger.
Now, when the electronic actuator fails to accurately position the wastegate, the turbocharger won’t be able to generate the correct boost pressure. As there is a lack of adequate boost, the engine receives very less compressed air, and this results in very weak combustion and drop in horsepower.
This is when drivers are going to notice that the car feels extremely sluggish during acceleration, especially when you try to merge into highways, overtaking slower traffic, or when climbing steep hills. In certain cases, the engine control module (ECM) reduces the power to protect the turbocharger and engine from additional damages.
Overboost and Underboost Conditions
Most of time, it is seen that a failing electronic wastegate actuator leads to either excessive boost pressure or insufficient boost pressure in European cars. Now, if the wastegate remains partially open rather than being closed, then the exhaust gases bypass the turbine, and prevents the turbo from spinning fast enough.
This is when drivers experience poor acceleration, drop in horsepower, weak throttle response, poor towing capacity, and drop in overall engine efficiency. Nevertheless, if the wastegate remains closed, then the boost pressure becomes excessive, and the turbo pressure is going to go beyond the safety threshold.
In fact, due to the excess boost pressure, you are going to experience engine knocking, excessive cylinder pressure, turbocharger overspeed, increase in engine temperatures, and piston or head gasket damage. The best thing about European cars is that the engine management system keeps a tab on the boost pressure, and if the readings go beyond a certain threshold, the ECU is going to limit engine performance, and will activate the limp mode.
Excess Stress on The Turbocharger
The wastegate actuator is one of the most critical component of the turbocharger that helps in proper boost regulation. However, if the actuator fails to control the wastegate, then the turbocharger faces unusual operating conditions.
Furthermore, this is going to lead to issues with the functioning of the turbocharger, and you might get to see over spinning of the turbo shaft, increased bearing wear, excessive temperatures, compressor wheel imbalance, and oil seal deterioration.
Moreover, if these problems aren’t addressed well in time then it can lead to complete failure of the turbocharger system in your vehicle. Now, replacing the turbocharger in European cars is considered one of the most expensive maintenance repairs, and that is why it is advised that you must keep on the functioning of the turbocharger so that any anomalies doesn’t escape your attention and is promptly addressed.
Limp Mode Activation
Nowadays, European cars are coming equipped with many advanced features that are meant to protect the internal components of the car from further damages in case of underlying issues. The limp mode is one such important feature in your vehicle that gets activated when the electronic wastegate actuator fails.
In fact, the activation of the limp mode is going to limit the performance of your car. Along with that you are also going to come across illuminated check engine light in your vehicle. As the warning light is linked to the functioning of the engine, any abnormalities is going to cause the warning light to flash on the dashboard of your European car.
Finally
The above-discussed factors are some of the ways electronic wastegate actuator is going to affect the performance of European cars when it malfunctions. While driving if you come across anything unusual, then you must get it inspected by a certified auto repair shop immediately.