Best method of checking for a boost leak?
Registered User
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,967
Likes: 0
From: Lakeland, Florida
heres how you test the whole system for under 7 bucks:
1.buy a coupler from lowes(whatever size your turbo inlet is).
2.then buy a pvc block off cap or "end cap" as its called in the same diameter.
3.then buy a valve stem from a tire shop and drill out the top of the pvc cap just enough to install the valve stem correctly in it.
4.connect your assembly on the front of the turbo and leave everything else the way it is on your engine setup(the tb will keep the pressure)
5.use an air filler for the valve stem with a little air compressor to fill the system. with the car not running it will be very easy to hear any leaks. keep checking the pressure of the system periodically as you fill, try to get it to around 15-20 psi.
done.
1.buy a coupler from lowes(whatever size your turbo inlet is).
2.then buy a pvc block off cap or "end cap" as its called in the same diameter.
3.then buy a valve stem from a tire shop and drill out the top of the pvc cap just enough to install the valve stem correctly in it.
4.connect your assembly on the front of the turbo and leave everything else the way it is on your engine setup(the tb will keep the pressure)
5.use an air filler for the valve stem with a little air compressor to fill the system. with the car not running it will be very easy to hear any leaks. keep checking the pressure of the system periodically as you fill, try to get it to around 15-20 psi.
done.
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,048
Likes: 42
From: Aurora, CO
Originally Posted by DFWs2k,Jun 12 2010, 10:54 AM
my car's not holding boost now after i had the intercooler moved up a couple inches (was hanging below the bumper before relocating on 6/10)
the kid i had move the intercooler stripped 2 good clamps that I had, so I got a worm clamp from lowe's while waiting for him to get me another good clamp
the worm clamp blew off the first time i hit boost (later that day on 6/10)
so drove around not making much boost, and picked up the replacement clamp and put it on while on the way to a photoshoot/videoshoot (on 6/11)
tried to boost, and it seemed to hold it for a second, then it sounded like all the air gushed out, or a coupler popped. the one from turbo to intercooler has been the one causing me problems so far, but it looks fine, i wonder if that kid scratched/poked a hole in one of the other couplers....
hopefully its just some loose clamps, i think i'm only getting 1 psi, but i'm still trying to figure out how to configure the TV2 to show psi
oil was also changed at the same time intercooler was moved up
the kid i had move the intercooler stripped 2 good clamps that I had, so I got a worm clamp from lowe's while waiting for him to get me another good clamp
the worm clamp blew off the first time i hit boost (later that day on 6/10)
so drove around not making much boost, and picked up the replacement clamp and put it on while on the way to a photoshoot/videoshoot (on 6/11)
tried to boost, and it seemed to hold it for a second, then it sounded like all the air gushed out, or a coupler popped. the one from turbo to intercooler has been the one causing me problems so far, but it looks fine, i wonder if that kid scratched/poked a hole in one of the other couplers....
hopefully its just some loose clamps, i think i'm only getting 1 psi, but i'm still trying to figure out how to configure the TV2 to show psi
oil was also changed at the same time intercooler was moved up
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,614
Likes: 2
From: Denton, TX
i think i'm only hitting 1 psi
yea all the intercooler piping has beads, where is the clamp supposed to be in relation to the bead? also, where am I supposed to clamp the coupler onto the turbo outlet? it's 2.5" at the furthest out point because of the little lip or whatever, and it's skinnier if you move in towards the turbo
yea all the intercooler piping has beads, where is the clamp supposed to be in relation to the bead? also, where am I supposed to clamp the coupler onto the turbo outlet? it's 2.5" at the furthest out point because of the little lip or whatever, and it's skinnier if you move in towards the turbo
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,614
Likes: 2
From: Denton, TX
it sucks cuz just yesterday and the day before i had to not race a new m3, a modded/murdered out c5 (already beaten modded c5z06, but would've been fun to run anyways), a modded ls1, and a modded 350z
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 14,614
Likes: 2
From: Denton, TX
just took off my front bumper to check all the connections since the kid took all the intercooler stuff apart to move it up, and lo and behold, upon examination the problem was quite evident
