Only 7 PSI Boost

[Ragincajun]

I am only boosting a max PSI of 7. Everything is stock. Can anyone tell me what is the first step to fixing my problem. I do have an Autometer boost gauge. I think the waste gate would be the first place, but don't know where it is. Did I mention I am a newbie, and not to keen with turbos.

Any help would be appreciated

 

[giovanniv]

Check to see if you have a boost leak anywhere.

 

[ranger87]

Also check waste gate housing for nasty cracks, happened to me and got almost no boost. And as above check for boost leaks everywhere.

 

[dsmfreak1984]

+1 on the boost leak, sounds like a good place to start. There are how to articles here on the tuners site about boost leak tests. Could some one post up a link to one? My computer's acting kinda funny and not allowing links.

 

[Ragincajun]

Thanks where is the waste gate located. I thought there was a parts location area on the site. I cannot seem to find the page

 

[spydermanX98X]

It's attached to your turbo motha licka (old greg reference, sorry) But really it'll look like a gold cylinder type thing on a metal bracket underneath the exhaust heat shield. You need to search more better though.

 

[cano86]

Do you even have a Manual Boost Controller

 

[Ragincajun]

Found the thing. is it under the hood somewhere. THanks for the help I have no idea how to check it. But I will start with the leak check then move from there. I am also soing all these checks by myself. Kinda hard.

 

[cano86]

Do you know how to perform the boost leak your self though.This might help you good luck:
How to build an Intercooler Pipe Pressure Leak Tester

Parts Needed:

A 4 inch long piece of 2.5" O.D. (outside diameter) hose. (I used some radiator hose I got at NAPA)
1.5" I.D. (inside diameter) PVC end cap.
2 band clamps that will fit around the 2.5" pipe above.
A valve stem (I used the rubber type you press in)
Note that if you have a larger turbo, the sizes of the end cap and hose may need to be larger in order to fit the turbo inlet.


To assemble, just put everything together as shown.



To assemble, just put everything together as shown.



To get the valve stem in, I had to drill a hole in the PVC cap.

To use it, just remove the intake pipe from your turbocharger inlet, and attach this in its' place.

Now you need to hook something up to the valve stem to pressurize the intake so you can listen for leaks. I use a 7 gallon air tank I got from Walmart, I just fill it up with air at the local gas station. You can also use a simple bike pump.

If you have a manual boost controller hooked up, you might want to plug off its' intake hose, as they leak a lot of air, making it hard to pinpoint the real leak.

Pressurize the system, and listen all over for leaks. Make sure you or a friend listens under the bumper too, wherever there is IC piping.

A leak will be obvious, they make a loud hissing sound.

You might want to have a friend check out your boost gauge while you are pressurizing things, to make sure you don't put too much pressure on things. (20 psi should be safe, or whatever you run safely for boost)

Places I have heard of leaks occuring:

BOV flange
Intake manifold ports
Throttle Body gaskets
Holes in the intercooler
Holes in the intercooler piping (sometimes the rubber pipe inside the stock woven mesh pipes cracks, and you can't see it from the outside... the pressure tester will find it though!! )