is this odd or am i???

[A80Avant]

Guys i know you may probably be getting tired of reading about my boost issues but i think im at a loss...
I went for a trip to Crete(i bet you all know that island!!) and i wasnt getting more than 18psi in any gear,although when i first installed my gauge i was easily gettin 22psi max boost.

Now i went for a drive today,after my return from the trip,and i pushed the car a bit further,putting my foot down,i managed to get a 20ish figure out of my gauge in 4th and 5th again.3d gear was only giving me 18psi again,while 2nd gear only 15psi.

I cannot be sure that im hearing any hissing sounds from the bonnet while driving,and on the other hand it is not like i have dropped from 22 to 15 in all gears to start concidering the usual suspects: DV,WGFV,etc...

So im thinking,...could this be :
1)Knock sensors?
2)boost leak...getting worse(??)...if so then why am i getting back on 20psi again??
3)Turbo needing service?(have not noticed any oil around the turbo area or any smoke coming out of the exhaust,Or loosing oil at all to have to replace).
4) 'O' ring on the intercooler?(how common is that,and do i need to have my front bumper removed to fix it?)

5)MAF(can i spary clean this with carb cleaner holding it at a fair distance so that the thread inside doesnt damage?)

im running on BP ultimate 100octane(98 maybe)gas


Also another thing is that when i turn my fan from the heater,and im standing still (not moving),the air that is coming in the cabin from the outside smells like gas.Nothing much,but it does.What could this mean?I have changed the cabin filter,is there some other filter i should also change?

thank you guys for the time you loose from your life to ....read my posts!I appreciate it!

[Billman]

It smells like Benzin or like Burned oil Fumes??

MKaybe you should check the Boost Gauge Connections and also all other hose and vacum connections! Maybe you could trace a leak this way!

[jameswkr]

4) Very common. Get it done. It requires the front bumper to come off. STFA for " Mark Halligan " mod.

[A80Avant]

@Billman: pretty sure it is benzin...not oil fumes
a WGFV connection to the inlet manifold was recently changed due to leak.

@jameswkr: if that is the case,which i hope it is not,im looking at a very early turbo service,cambelt replacement etc which means extra cash!!! s@#$t!!

anyway,it goes without saying that if it has to be done,let it be done...
im taking the car to the garage tomorrow.Also having the handbrake reconditioned as well...lets see...

[Billman]

I think if the Turbo was over it will make either a different sound or it will smoke! If the mechanic removes the Air filter ect he can see if from the compressor side if the shaft moves in other directions than spinning!

(Question to all: The maf to Turbo hose on the RS2 has a metall ring (maybe not to shring when on boost) and it came loose in mine and i removed it! Is it a big mistake! I was afraid it will go near the compressor inlet and maybe cause a damage)