HOW-TO: Boost leak test
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OK, if you refer back to the Air box thread, you will see what to do to take off the intake pipe. Do that.
Now, there are different types of boost leak testers out there, they are very easy to make yourself and don't cost very much. The type I chose to make uses a standard compressor quick connect make fitting, and relies on a pressure regulator to maintain pressure from the compressor. I like this style because it maintains constant pressure and is very easy to set and work with. So, to get this started, you need your boost leak tester, 8mm socket, very soapy water and some small zip ties.
Install your boost leak tester and position it so you can get a hose attached and tighten the clamp.
Next put something in the hose from the side of the intake pipe to block it off. A 3/8" extension seems to work fine.
Go ahead and adjust your pressure on the regulator. You want to be a few pounds over what your car should be making, in my case stock spikes 14psi, I set it for 20.
Hook up the air line and verify the boost on the vehicle's boost guage. (The test vehicle has a broken boost guage so the readings are incorrect)
Listen very carefully for any air escaping from the vacuum lines, pressure pipes, anywhere . If you hear anything, saturate that area with the soapy water and look for bubbles.
Most of the time, a boost leak will look something like this (to the left of the boost leak tester, the stock BOV leaking boost)
Once you have identified your boost leak, de-pressurize the system, make your repairs, and test again.
Some of the most common plases to look will be:
your intercooler piping on both hot and cold sides which can be fixed by tightening the clamps or replacing with a t-bolt style clamp
your vacuum lines, especially on the throttle body which can be fixed with some small zip ties
your factory blow off valve which can be fixed by removing, applying a thin layer of copper RTV around the edges and replacing.
Here's a picture of the lines that were leaking during this test, which was solved with zip ties
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OK, if you refer back to the Air box thread, you will see what to do to take off the intake pipe. Do that.
Now, there are different types of boost leak testers out there, they are very easy to make yourself and don't cost very much. The type I chose to make uses a standard compressor quick connect make fitting, and relies on a pressure regulator to maintain pressure from the compressor. I like this style because it maintains constant pressure and is very easy to set and work with. So, to get this started, you need your boost leak tester, 8mm socket, very soapy water and some small zip ties.
Install your boost leak tester and position it so you can get a hose attached and tighten the clamp.
Next put something in the hose from the side of the intake pipe to block it off. A 3/8" extension seems to work fine.
Go ahead and adjust your pressure on the regulator. You want to be a few pounds over what your car should be making, in my case stock spikes 14psi, I set it for 20.
Hook up the air line and verify the boost on the vehicle's boost guage. (The test vehicle has a broken boost guage so the readings are incorrect)
Listen very carefully for any air escaping from the vacuum lines, pressure pipes, anywhere . If you hear anything, saturate that area with the soapy water and look for bubbles.
Most of the time, a boost leak will look something like this (to the left of the boost leak tester, the stock BOV leaking boost)
Once you have identified your boost leak, de-pressurize the system, make your repairs, and test again.
Some of the most common plases to look will be:
your intercooler piping on both hot and cold sides which can be fixed by tightening the clamps or replacing with a t-bolt style clamp
your vacuum lines, especially on the throttle body which can be fixed with some small zip ties
your factory blow off valve which can be fixed by removing, applying a thin layer of copper RTV around the edges and replacing.
Here's a picture of the lines that were leaking during this test, which was solved with zip ties
