leaky turbo, is this the problem?
 

Ok I have problems with the boost gauge not reading boost, so I took some soap and water, and brushed it on the intake side of the turbo, fired the car up. reved it up from the TB. and I seen air bubbles, where if you loosen up the bolts to spin the turbo, there is where it air is coming out of the whole way around. is there a gasket I can buy, or should I look for another turbo. also on the exhust side there are some heat cracks. I seen them before I put the turbo on the car. would that hurt the performance of the tubo? thanks

Re:leaky turbo, is this the problem?
 

Out of the cracks in the exhaust, is it loud? If so then then that turbo's not gonna spool up so good. Especially if it's leaking around the back plate of the compressor. I would say new turbo.

Re:leaky turbo, is this the problem?
 

the cracks are in the inside of the exhust side of the turbo. I don't think it leaks form there. but it does leak form the intake side.