K so I am driving my 2009 cobalt SS yesterday hit a bump and lost boost. Took it in the say the actuator is probably stuck I get 5 lbs boost max. It backfires occasionally anyone seen this before

 

you hit a bump. Did you look under the front bumper?

 

okay, no response...

Im saying, are you sure you didn't damage your intercooler?. All your problems you are describing can be explained by a busted intercooler or terrible leak in the charged system.

 

Any modifications?

 

Sorry dude I was on a rig all day no service umm bought the car used this is what was done to it I think....K&N short ram intake, injen upper charge pipe, looks to be lowered, headlights are aftermarket or painted black inside and tinted tails the car has probably been tuned as I get about 25-28 pounds of boost max.

 

I can't look at my inter cooler as my car is pretty low and I don't have something to get under it yet need to take it to a garage.

 

actuator wont stick from hitting a bump. you got a boost leak. Probably knocked off the condensation bar on the intercooler if its stock or worse. If its aftermarket, its probably got a cracked weld.

 

Took it in today the cleaned the map sensor not it.... They say there is a broken bracket on the ic that may be the cause have to take it back in on tuesday

 

Sorry I didn't see this thread sooner but I have heard that those are all the problems of intercooler pump not working. Have you ever checked or replaced it?

 

no such thing as an intercooler pump on an air-to-air intercooler setup. unless your talking about the turbo?

 

soooooo ummm.... Why even post here looking for help? Pretty sure I told you what the problem is right above this post you made...

get a new intercooler. They are like $300 max. Take your bumper off and swap it out. the bracket they are talking about is not actually a bracket, its the condensation bar. If you broke the intercooler bracket, chances are there is a huge chunk of your intercooler missing.

 

Not that easy to get **** fixed here dude I looked at it myself today the plastic bracket on the right hand side is broken inter cooler looks intact I don't friggin know wtf!

 

K so could that condensation bar be the cause is what I want to know?

 

I will load pics tomorrow there is no cracks in the intercooler or condensation bar it is just hanging off on the drivers side as the plastic bracket is broken..... Could that be causing my issues and if so can just the bracket be replaced? I've also heard people say to take the bar right off?

 

Condensation bar can be the problem. I forget which side is open to the intercooler but one side acts as a condensation drain for liquid to flow into. usually oil in the case of our cars. So if it broke off at that point then there is a leak. I hear people will fill it with a liquid cement or something to seal it and drive the car around but ultimately you may want a new intercooler.

Its a boost leak, its an easy fix. Finding the leak is tough but from the sounds of your story, you should have a very good idea of what to look for. The intercooler more than likely got fucked up. load a photo of the damage.

 

JB weld is what people have been using to fix the hole. I couldnt think of it till now

 

Well 3 weeks and 1760 bucks later it's fixed. I had the intercooler replaced with another stock one, no one around here could get an aftermarket one, I had them make a plate to go under that condensation bar to keep it from smacking again. I will keep you guys posted on updates!

 

W h a t......




You spent about $1300 too much! Whats this metal plate your talking about? Post pics of that.
The problem with the stock intercooler is that the endtanks are plastic. It will break again eventually. You are not using this resource correctly... (referring to Cobaltss.net)

 

Here. This is what you should have bought. "smaller size"

ZZPerformance - LNF Front Mount Intercooler #ZZ-LNFFMIC


Here is a write up you could have followed. Theres alot of write ups on this forum on how to install things or do things. Its like the #1 point of being a member of a car forum other than to sell stuff and buy stuff.

Not the exact intercooler but its the same exact principle and literally could replace the word MPX intercooler with ZZP intercooler. Or you could have gotten a MPx intercooler. There are soooo many options out there that are higher quality and a hell of alot cheaper in cost.

https://www.cobaltss.net/forums/how-...cooler-229313/


Im sorry if im coming off as looking like an ass but it blows my mind to see somebody spend that kind of money on that stock intercooler. This could have been avoided if you asked more questions on here. I told you the intercooler was done. You could have taken off the condensation bar and plugged the hole with JB weld. You could have bought an aftermarket intercooler for a fraction of the price. Pay $1700 for an intercooler + install (im assuming) is like paying a shop $1700 to install an intake.

 

Word.

The reason I signed up here was to get help with things if I needed it. I ended up having a big problem and over a few months we were able to find a solution. I ended up doing almost all of the work myself and saving a ton of money compared to if I brought the car to the shop.

I haven't posted in here before because joe nailed it on the head. If anyone has become good at finding boost leaks it is us (after my fiasco).

 

Can't be serious...

 

Lmfao. You can't fix stupid.

 

wow. i guess if you have the money and don't want the headache...

 

And that's why I have a hard time trusting shops.

You got raped.

 

im no genius when it comes to engines and all that crap, but dude..... seriously? I need a good sturdy wall to hit my head off of.. cudajoe, i'll give ya some room on the wall haha