Q: Loss of power in 1st gear

asked by on November 08, 2016

when i put my foot down it takes a while for the turbo to kick in

My car has 262000 miles.
My car has a manual transmission.

Loss of power Inspection $94.99 - $114.99 Get a Quote

Hi there. Adjusting turbo boost for this engine is a compromise at best. Setting boost to be optimal for 3rd, 4th and 5th gear (without over-boosting) means 1st and 2nd gear don’t get that much boost. Stepping up boost for 1st and 2nd means you are likely over-boosting in the higher gears. Adding after-market boost control buys you additional performance control, but there is still just too little time spent in 1st gear to spool up the turbo in a useful manner. If you have lost boost in ALL gears, that is a different issue; and an examination of the turbocharger, blow-off valve, and control gear is in order. If so, I would recommend having a loss of power inspection completed by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, so that the correct repair can be made.

The statements expressed above are only for informational purposes and should be independently verified. Please see our terms of service for more details

Get an instant quote for your car

Our certified mechanics come to you ・Backed by 12-month, 12,000-mile guarantee・Fair and transparent pricing


Experienced Mechanic?

Earn up to $70/hr

What others are asking

Car making loud clicking noise.
Hello. The 2.4 liter engine in your car does have a few common issues. It is most commonly caused be a timing chain problem. When the timing chain stretches or if a tensioner fails you will get this noise and...
Water leaking into floorboard
Locating water leaks can be tricky. The most common leak I come across is the drain for the AC evaporator that is located inside the car being clogged. The evaporator is the part of the AC system that cools the...
Service engine soon light keeps coming on
Hello. It is not normal for a fairly new car with low miles to have the Check Engine Light come on. However, that doesn’t mean that sensors won’t fail. There may also be sensors that are faulty, in addition to...
My gas gauge keeps fluctuating from empty to full and everything in between.
The symptoms you are having may be related to a mechanical issue, or an electrical issue. If the problem is electrical, you will want to check the wiring terminal that connects to the fuel pump. You may need to drop...
1/4 steel fuel line to 1/4 fuel pump quick connect, can't find -4an to 1/4 fitting ANYWHERE!
Hi there. If this is an OEM fitting application, your best bet is to contact a GM dealership, as they should have the correct parts you need. If it's aftermarket, having a place like Parker Hose or a local fuel...
what causes the awd light to stay on with a 2011 infiniti g25x
If the AWD warning light is on all the time, that means a fault of some sort has been detected, likely in the control system or sensors but there are mechanical possibilities, too. Your vehicle has an onboard diagnostic system...
My car has no oil, the only oil I have available at the moment is 5w-30 but my car requires 5w-20 is it ok if I put it in? Will it
5W-30 is perfectly OK to use on this vehicle on a temporary basis. The only detriment, and it will be hard to detect without complex measuring equipment, is the higher viscosity 5W-30 technically creates "pumping losses" in the engine which...
I have a 03 Honda Civic hybrid. I tried to book a appt for a
Hi Jessica. Thanks for the question today. A Hybrid has a unique fuel filtration system that is not like standard gasoline-powered vehicles. Our fuel filter replacement service is for the standard unleaded gasoline engines and not the Hybrid models -...

Related articles

How Does a Clutch Work in a Manual Transmission?
The The clutch in a car transmission is what works to engage and disengage the drive shaft’s moving parts. In a manual transmission, the driver has to manipulate a pedal or a lever in order to shift gears. The clutch...
A Buyer’s Guide to the 2012 Subaru Outback
One One of the original sport wagons, the Subaru Outback has enjoyed a high level of popularity over the years, and that doesn’t look like it’s going to change anytime soon. While other manufacturers are trying to create crossover SUVs...
Symptoms of a Bad or Failing Automatic Timing Advance Unit
If your car experiences engine knock, sluggish performance, or excessive black smoke, you may need to replace your automatic timing advance unit.