Boost Leak Problems

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

OneSlo

New Member
Joined
Feb 24, 2023
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Location
Clinton Township MI
I have a 2016 Taurus SHO. When first getting tuned I held 18psi all the way through the rpm range. Now I hold between 12 to 14psi at the top of any gears. WGDC is still only 55% with a fall off from mid to high 80%. Wondering if anyone has had the same experiences? Is it turbos or could I be experiencing a leak since the wastegates aren’t trying to make up for it.
 

yaycandy

Aerospace Engineer
Joined
Jul 2, 2018
Messages
2,612
Reaction score
2,003
Location
Hanover, PA
Fun part of owning a twin turbo. Always checking all the piping. Pull out the recirc valves and pull on them a bit to see the orange rubber diaphragm make sure they aint tore. Same with plastic hoses if you still got them. They can split and be hard to see. Sometimes they may have some oil on the pipe where the crack is
 

OneSlo

New Member
Joined
Feb 24, 2023
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Location
Clinton Township MI
Fun part of owning a twin turbo. Always checking all the piping. Pull out the recirc valves and pull on them a bit to see the orange rubber diaphragm make sure they aint tore. Same with plastic hoses if you still got them. They can split and be hard to see. Sometimes they may have some oil on the pipe where the crack is
I figured I would start with a boost leak test early next week and see what I can find. No obvious issues just car feels like a slouch getting into boost vs how it was before which is what lead me to think it’s either a leak somewhere or the turbos. Thank you for the advice it is much appreciated
 

ridered74

SHO Member
Joined
Mar 27, 2015
Messages
1,105
Reaction score
1,491
Do a wide open throttle data log, then look at your wastegate duty cycle. If it isn't at 100% you can skip wasting time looking for a boost leak. If it is at 100% normal culprit is the noisemaker connection at throttle body, but usually those don't get so bad to drop that much boost.
 

OneSlo

New Member
Joined
Feb 24, 2023
Messages
4
Reaction score
0
Location
Clinton Township MI
Do a wide open throttle data log, then look at your wastegate duty cycle. If it isn't at 100% you can skip wasting time looking for a boost leak. If it is at 100% normal culprit is the noisemaker connection at throttle body, but usually those don't get so bad to drop that much boost.
Could you possibly elaborate what do you mean don’t waste my time looking for a leak. You mean turbos are bad? I thought wastegates should never be 100 duty cycle?
 

ridered74

SHO Member
Joined
Mar 27, 2015
Messages
1,105
Reaction score
1,491
Could you possibly elaborate what do you mean don’t waste my time looking for a leak. You mean turbos are bad? I thought wastegates should never be 100 duty cycle?
If you have a boost leak, your wastegates will be at 100% because the turbos are working non stop trying to achieve the desired boost.

If they aren't at 100% a boost leak is not your problem.
 

76FoMoCo

SHO Member
Joined
Nov 22, 2018
Messages
1,796
Reaction score
1,930
Location
Nampa, ID
Your wg duty cycle will tell the tell. 100% all the way through a 3 gear pull will be a boost leak. If not building 15 to 17 psi ait2. This is the max for the stock turbos.
 

kryptto

The Best Thing About Cars... ones in my mirror.
Supporting Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2023
Messages
3,196
Reaction score
2,066
Location
South East, Florida
I dont know how cross posting to another site - however on the HP Tuners site this thread might be useful.


The guy Metro indicates there is a cap on the throttle body that can cause issues. I also have heard that the "noise maker" can be an issue - take a read.
 
Back
Top