i have a turbo but it doesn't build boost past 1-2psi. i can hear it spool but i never get any boost. i have put a MBC inline and it doesn't change anything. is my turbo fucked?

 

sounds like your charge pipes are leaking somewhere. check all your couplers very good.

 

check again for leaks, check the turbine housing itself, then make sure your boost gauge is good(ie: swap it with a known working one) then wire your wastegate shut, go for alittle drive and see if you start to build more boost.

 

sounds like you most definitely have a boost leak. Check all clamps and if you are not using hard pipes check and make sure there are no cracks in the rubber.

 

checked all the pipes again and again but still nothing. i finally hooked my downpipe up to the rest of the exhaust and now i can't even hear the turbo spool.
what would be the symptoms if i needed a rebuild? it doesn't blow smoke but i can't hear it spool.
what are the symptoms if i need it balanced?

i am getting pretty frustrated, i have swapped just about every vacuum line and even ran the wastegate source to the IM.

 

check the wastegate dood

 

i've checked it, and it's closed and i have changed three differant vacuum sources.

 

recheck your mbc. i bet you either fucked up the install, or its fucked.

 

Have you checked it for shaftplay?