Big Girl (26th May 2023)
Simple test. Remove the IC and tape up the inlet and outlet ports. Submerge it in a basin full of water and if it has a leak you will see the bubbles. WHEN (not IF) you see the bubbles - replace it with an after market IC. As I said - simple.
MB (16th May 2023)
Finally got it onto a dyno - the boost solenoid is sticking. I shall do some homework before I replace it, just in case I need more than just the solenoid unit. Thanks for the lead, much appreciated.
PS. The air hose to the rear of the intercooler had not been tightened when the head was replaced a year ago. After tightening, the problem was not as bad, but still there. I booked it in for the dyno diagnostic this morning. Hopefully this will sort it.
Update:
Diagnosis, no codes, no idea.
Confirmed she has a new fuel filter, air filter, MAF sensor, cleaned MAP sensor, new boost solenoid, new airlines, and we have cleaned the hoses thoroughly. Done everything conceivable in the boost lines.
Another point: My other half recently found a Nissan Patrol for sale, with a boost problem. He made contact to ask about the boost problem - they don't know whats wrong, that's why it's being sold.
AND my mechanic who did the testing had another one in only two weeks ago and they didn't resolve that problem either.
I shall contact the local Nissan dealership and talk to one of their mechanics to see what I can learn. Next step will be collecting information on a thread for others to add to until we find the solution.
mihit (26th July 2023)
Well, Big Girl still has a boost problem.
She has the new MAF sensor (plus new air-filter and thorough clean out before it went in)
New air-pressure hoses (the lot)
A new Boost solenoid (apparently the new version is an upgrade from Nissan) - as recommended by the mechanic who checked for codes
I removed the shim (trying anything now!)
Installed a new fuel filter
The mechanics recommendation: no idea - take it to Nissan...
and now I'm ready to take her to a 'professional' dyno mechanic.
I asked around, the word is: DON'T take it to the local Nissan workshop.
Should have started your own thread but we are here now.
So you have fitted a new vacuum solenoid, pull the hose off the solenoid end port (blue hose in my first picture) and connect in directly to the VNT Vacuum actuator, where the red hose is shown on the second picture:
with eng at idle _ does the rod rise up with the lever hard against the vane limit stop screw?
Still with engine at idle, pull the same hose off the VNT Vacuum actuator _ does the rod drop down to bottom of stroke (approx 10mm)?
PS: before doing the above direct connection / vacuum test to the VNT Vacuum Actuator, u can check the rod/lever position with with vacuum solenoid connected as it is currently set up:
eng at idle have the hose connected to the actuator "ON" and then pull the hose "OFF" and you should see the actuator rod rise and drop respectively. Y/N?
Do this and we will then go from here.
2008 GU WAG ST Manual CRD - To do the job