The case of the missing wastegate clip

[DuluthSonic]

Over the weekend, I got a check engine light with a P0299 code. I knew this could potentially be a turbo issue. In fact, my Ultra Gauge showed no boost, just bounced around in the negative numbers (it would reach 0.145 on occasion but that was as high as it went). The next day I contacted the dealership and they agreed it was most likely a turbo issue. They said it was safe to drive as long as I don't push it hard. So I dropped it off and they got to it first thing the next morning. What they found was not that the turbo was shot as I had feared, but just that the clip that holds the arm to the wastegate pin was missing. I'm including a photo of the pin with the new clip they put on. They also adjusted the wastegate to specs and it runs fine now. They tried to tell me someone had to have removed the pin as they didn't think it could pop off. I've had the car for over a year and no one has touched the turbo or anything near it. So either it did just pop off, or possibly someone messed with it before I purchased it. But I doubt that because it would mean I went over a year without it and I would have to believe I would have had an issue sooner. Anyone else ever have this happen?

 

[Thelastosirus]

E-clips don't pop off by themselves. Ever. Someone didn't put it back on properly or forgot it altogether (factory or later). If the setup is engineered good enough, the clip is just a precaution. But after a year+ of driving it must have loosened up enough for the rod to slide off at the right moment.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

 

[BigLee]

E-clips do sometimes break or wear out, and thus fall off.
Just properly installing them can put a a small crack in them, and over time, heat and motion can cause the crack to spread and finally cause the clip to break.
Once the clip comes off, the two components it locked together can, and often will separate.
Fortunately, it was an easy fix, and no real harm done.

 

[Italianjoe1]

Had a coworker with a Cruze have that clip fall off. He asked me to check the car because it felt slow lol. I installed a new E clip and all was well. I think there's too much play in them from factory and they bounce around and loosen up and can come off. Just my guess though.