P0299 - turbocharger underboost problem

[BuntaTypeR]

I went to the track yesterday and got an error code on my Type R. I didn’t have any issues in the morning but i felt the low power output. However, in the afternoon the problem started showing up.

We were able to clear the code, but when I went back out for another run, it came back on the third lap. We cleared it again afterward.

Have you ever seen this issue before? The code is P0299 – Turbocharger Underboost. Just wondering what you think might be causing it.

 

[Websitesdown]

I went to the track yesterday and got an error code on my Type R. I didn’t have any issues in the morning but i felt the low power output. However, in the afternoon the problem started showing up.

We were able to clear the code, but when I went back out for another run, it came back on the third lap. We cleared it again afterward.

Have you ever seen this issue before? The code is P0299 – Turbocharger Underboost. Just wondering what you think might be causing it.

Sounds like you have a leak. Hose clamp or bolts have worked loose is my first assumption. Go over everything and find it.

 

[Cueyo]

Unrelated, but are those the jdm non FL5 fog lights on the FL5 bumper?

 

[Websitesdown]

Unrelated, but are those the jdm non FL5 fog lights on the FL5 bumper?

I want.

 

[Chilly613]

That looks like a DIY duct to bring in cooler air, not a fog light.

To the OP, like others have said, you may have a leak or it could be an issue with the wastegate.

 

[BuntaTypeR]

That looks like a DIY duct to bring in cooler air, not a fog light.

To the OP, like others have said, you may have a leak or it could be an issue with the wastegate.

Correct. My poor mans version "DIY duct to bring in cooler air, not a fog light"

 

[BuntaTypeR]

I have to wait until the weekend to troubleshoot it. Also, i bought a brand new wastegate just in case its the root cause.

 

[BuntaTypeR]

At first, we sprayed brake cleaner around the hoses while the engine was running and listened for any change in RPM or signs of the engine bogging down, which could indicate a leak. We didn't notice anything unusual. (engine bogging)

We then removed the box air filter and inspected all of the hoses and clamps. We found a few hose clamps that weren't tight enough, so we tightened them before doing another test drive.

During the test drive, I ran my FL5 through third gear. On Tune #4 (boost-by-gear), it triggered a P0299 underboost code once boost went above approximately 18 PSI. I cleared the code using Hondata and tested again, this time switching down to Tune #2 (to lower my psi). I ran through third gear again with no issues at approximately 12 PSI.

I then switched to Tune #3. On another third-gear pull, the P0299 returned once boost went above approximately 16 PSI.

Our theory is that if there were a significant boost leak, the car shouldn't repeatedly be able to build 16–18 PSI before triggering the code. I can clear the code, make another pull, and it will again build approximately 16–18 PSI before the problem occurs. The issue also seems to become more apparent as the requested boost increases.

Because of this, we're starting to suspect the OEM wastegate actuator. I've previously seen my FL5 reach approximately 29 PSI while still using the factory wastegate actuator.

For some additional background, the car has now been through a total of 13 track days. Four of those track days were on my current JSR tune, while the previous nine were on a Phearable 300+ WHP tune.

I believe two of those track days were open-track/full-day events, so I was essentially running double the normal number of sessions. Instead of approximately four sessions in a normal track day, I was able to run closer to eight sessions per day (12x to 16x laps per session). So while the car has technically done 13 track days, the actual amount of track time and heat cycling is considerably higher than the number alone suggests.

The P0299 underboost issue only started showing up after all of this track use. With the increased boost, repeated heat cycles, and track abuse, it's possible the OEM wastegate actuator has weakened or developed an issue over time.

Those track days weren't exactly easy on the car either. I've run sessions in 102–105°F temperatures with roughly 16 laps per session, so the factory wastegate actuator has seen significantly more heat and stress than it would on a stock, street-driven FL5.

I guess I've probably reached the limits of the OEM wastegate actuator's life under these conditions. It wasn't really designed for repeatedly seeing high boost/PSI combined with this level of track use and extremely high temperatures. If the actuator does turn out to be the problem, considering the amount of abuse it's been through, I can't really complain.

I've ordered an upgraded wastegate actuator, which should arrive Monday. I'll install it and test the car again next weekend to see whether that fixes the P0299 underboost issue.

I guess I'm getting to the point with this car where I'm going to start finding the weak links. With the power level, repeated high-boost pulls, and the amount of track abuse and heat the car has seen, eventually something is going to show its limitations.

I know I'm not the only one who has experienced wastegate actuator issues. One difference with the FL5 compared with many aftermarket older turbo Hondas is that the FL5 uses an electronic wastegate actuator rather than the more traditional mechanical/pneumatic setup. The electronic actuator gives the ECU much more precise control over the wastegate, but it also adds more complexity, an electric motor, position sensing, electronics, and calibration which means there are additional potential failure points.

If my OEM actuator really is the cause of the P0299, after 13 track days, repeated high boost, and some extremely hot track conditions, I can't really say it had an easy life. At this point, I may simply be starting to discover which OEM components become the weak links when an FL5 is pushed this far beyond its original operating conditions.

 

[Chilly613]

At first, we sprayed brake cleaner around the hoses while the engine was running and listened for any change in RPM or signs of the engine bogging down, which could indicate a leak. We didn't notice anything unusual. (engine bogging)

We then removed the box air filter and inspected all of the hoses and clamps. We found a few hose clamps that weren't tight enough, so we tightened them before doing another test drive.

During the test drive, I ran my FL5 through third gear. On Tune #4 (boost-by-gear), it triggered a P0299 underboost code once boost went above approximately 18 PSI. I cleared the code using Hondata and tested again, this time switching down to Tune #2 (to lower my psi). I ran through third gear again with no issues at approximately 12 PSI.

I then switched to Tune #3. On another third-gear pull, the P0299 returned once boost went above approximately 16 PSI.

Our theory is that if there were a significant boost leak, the car shouldn't repeatedly be able to build 16–18 PSI before triggering the code. I can clear the code, make another pull, and it will again build approximately 16–18 PSI before the problem occurs. The issue also seems to become more apparent as the requested boost increases.

Because of this, we're starting to suspect the OEM wastegate actuator. I've previously seen my FL5 reach approximately 29 PSI while still using the factory wastegate actuator.

For some additional background, the car has now been through a total of 13 track days. Four of those track days were on my current JSR tune, while the previous nine were on a Phearable 300+ WHP tune.

I believe two of those track days were open-track/full-day events, so I was essentially running double the normal number of sessions. Instead of approximately four sessions in a normal track day, I was able to run closer to eight sessions per day (12x to 16x laps per session). So while the car has technically done 13 track days, the actual amount of track time and heat cycling is considerably higher than the number alone suggests.

The P0299 underboost issue only started showing up after all of this track use. With the increased boost, repeated heat cycles, and track abuse, it's possible the OEM wastegate actuator has weakened or developed an issue over time.

Those track days weren't exactly easy on the car either. I've run sessions in 102–105°F temperatures with roughly 16 laps per session, so the factory wastegate actuator has seen significantly more heat and stress than it would on a stock, street-driven FL5.

I guess I've probably reached the limits of the OEM wastegate actuator's life under these conditions. It wasn't really designed for repeatedly seeing high boost/PSI combined with this level of track use and extremely high temperatures. If the actuator does turn out to be the problem, considering the amount of abuse it's been through, I can't really complain.

I've ordered an upgraded wastegate actuator, which should arrive Monday. I'll install it and test the car again next weekend to see whether that fixes the P0299 underboost issue.

I guess I'm getting to the point with this car where I'm going to start finding the weak links. With the power level, repeated high-boost pulls, and the amount of track abuse and heat the car has seen, eventually something is going to show its limitations.

I know I'm not the only one who has experienced wastegate actuator issues. One difference with the FL5 compared with many aftermarket older turbo Hondas is that the FL5 uses an electronic wastegate actuator rather than the more traditional mechanical/pneumatic setup. The electronic actuator gives the ECU much more precise control over the wastegate, but it also adds more complexity, an electric motor, position sensing, electronics, and calibration which means there are additional potential failure points.

If my OEM actuator really is the cause of the P0299, after 13 track days, repeated high boost, and some extremely hot track conditions, I can't really say it had an easy life. At this point, I may simply be starting to discover which OEM components become the weak links when an FL5 is pushed this far beyond its original operating conditions.

Hopefully its not completely at the end of its life and the waste gate may just need to be recalibrated.

This is for the FK8, but should apply to the FL5 too. Just something to try, will still need to recalibrate the new one as well.

https://www.full-race.com/resources/honda-civic-type-r-fk8-electronic-wastegate-actuator-calibration