Boost Leak Testing Procedures - Am I doing this correctly?

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.

Cheesehead

SHO Member
Joined
Jan 26, 2020
Messages
126
Reaction score
64
Location
Schofield, WI
So I built myself a tester using PVC and have determined that it is not leaking (first attempt did). I then put 20 lbs into the system and right away I could hear a wooshing noise coming from the bottom of the car. Is there a pressure release valve/waste gate down there? If so, at what pressure will that thing stop releasing air?

It actually did seem to stop at some point though you could tell the system was still under pressure. I then put my ear close to the thing I built and could hear something leaking from somewhere. It sounded close to where I was at but it sure wasn't the valve or screw in fitting that I doped up. Maybe where it goes into the accordion but I sprayed it with soapy water and didn't see anything.

I am not against buying hot pipes and probably will, I just want to rule out a part being broken other than that unit. My last data log from Luis Ortiz saying " Your wastegate duty cycle is at 100% meaning it's maxed out. I see on your tune order form that you are not at high elevation so I would suspect the engine having a boost leak. Let's go ahead and inspect all the lines to ensure there is no boost leak anywhere".

Any insight would be helpful on this fine Saturday. Go Badgers!
 

Attachments

  • leak.png
    leak.png
    585.3 KB · Views: 26

Cheesehead

SHO Member
Joined
Jan 26, 2020
Messages
126
Reaction score
64
Location
Schofield, WI
*Update* definitely not the PVC fitting. I loosened it up and nothing. I pulled it out and the pressure rushed out. Also, after the initial sound I hear when pressurizing the system and that goes away, I can hear something toward the fire wall area. Hard to know what's up, but something is leaking.
 

ridered74

SHO Member
Joined
Mar 27, 2015
Messages
1,105
Reaction score
1,491
Boost leaks would be on the hot side pipes, but it looks from your picture like you are pressurizing the cold side pipes. Typical spots for leaks are the hot side pipes at each turbo and the noisemaker pipe between the intercooler and throttle body. Usually would see some oil buildup around those spots if there is a leak.
 

Cheesehead

SHO Member
Joined
Jan 26, 2020
Messages
126
Reaction score
64
Location
Schofield, WI
Boost leaks would be on the hot side pipes, but it looks from your picture like you are pressurizing the cold side pipes. Typical spots for leaks are the hot side pipes at each turbo and the noisemaker pipe between the intercooler and throttle body. Usually would see some oil buildup around those spots if there is a leak.
Ok sounds good. The sound is definitely coming close to the firewall but further down. Someone had mentioned the rear BOV and I will check that as well, but it seems lower down the car
 

Forum statistics

Threads
107,087
Messages
1,181,310
Members
16,153
Latest member
lapochkarr

Members online

Back
Top