Hey guys. So i've got the downpipe off the car right now replacing the turbo feed line and it looks like the wastegate is hanging open and really loose. Is it supposed to be like that?

 

It's only a problem if your throwing lights for boost being low. I have seen it once where the waste gate gets too loose and causes a light because pressure is outside normal parameters.

 

The N14 engine wastegate is normally open when the engine is off. It's also normal for for their to be a little bit of play in the actuator. When the engine is on and the ECU commands vacuum to the actuator, it will act perfectly

 

Ok cool. I was really hoping that was the cause of my mystery rattle noise i have posting about for a year now but i guess not. So clear this up for me. Should the door of the wastegate be loose and rattly on the hinge. It looks like its made to be like that but i want to be sure.

 

They all have a little play in them.

 

Hey Shane. When you say they have a little play in them how much is a little? I ask because the flapper slides so much on the hinge that it looks like it could almost extend out further then the 2 tabs that keep it from spinning...Almost. If its not that then i'm thinking maybe its a weak timing chain tensioner. I'm not getting the death rattle cause I've experienced that and had the entire timing chain kit replaced in July 2011. Is it possible that the new tensioner that was put in back then is weak and letting the chain make a slight rattling noise similar to the n18 wastegate rattle at start up and during moderate acceleration? I have been hearing this for well over a year and have never been able to track it down.