I'll start with a question - Is the RS Turbo's Boost Control Solenoid the same as the Cossie one?

Here's for why...

Whilst at tabetha's place the other day with the fuel pump, we discovered that my 'amal' valve doesn't work. In one of my boxes of junk, I had a spare from an RS Turbo, so tonight I thought "Why not stick it on and see if it's any different?" I plugged it in, and it clicked, so I guess it worked.

If that was where I'd stopped I wouldn't be writing this piece.

So I set to work pulling the duff one off, and sticking its replacement in. Straight forward, even I can do it - three hoses and two screws and it's all over.

I started it up and set off for a 'leisurely' drive. Driving around off boost was great, no difference there. I found a straight, empty piece of tarmac and nailed it in second. It went like absolute STINK and nearly kicked out, the amal valve was clattering its nuts off, and when I let off to change up, the dump valve sounded horrendous - almost like a squeal! I eased off, after having a love explosion in my pants from the acceleration, I found another suitable piece of black stuff. I went for it again, and again, it went like stink, I managed to look at the boost guage which wound up PAST 20psi. At this point I crapped myself and took it easy. The squeal from the dump valve was still there as I let off.

Next piece of road, I tried applying some gentle throttle, but the boost guage only went up to 5psi this time, no further!!!! I'm really bricking it at this point. It was hesitating and almost begging to stop.

I pulled over and quickly unplugged the 'offending' boost control valve, and limped home. I've not had a brown trouser moment for years up til now. I got home, and quickly swapped the devices back again. When I pulled up I noticed it was idling high - thats because the excess boost had shoved the fuel pressure regulator's vacuum hose straight off! I guessed that this was also the cause of the high pitched dumping sound.

Just to be on the safe side, I burned my finger checking that I'd not wrecked the turbo - the shaft still had no play in it. Thank fook!

I set off for another little drive, made full boost (14/15 psi) once but that squeal was back again. When I went to pull off the next time though, there was no dump! "Oh god, now what?" A little bit of throttle answered that - it chattered, with thankfully, no squeal. I limped home again, and this time it had blown off the dump valve (and boost guage)'s vacuum hose. I've not dared drive it since...

So, the moral to this story is: if you don't know if it works, sell it to some other poor sucker. Or, get it setup properly!

Question 2: have I fooked it up, or potentially wrecked anything?