boost leak at turbo

[awdturbolover]

i put a front mount intercooler on a couple months ago and have had a boost leak ever since. i do the leak test all the time and it is leaking where the intercooler pipe bolts to the turbo. i've tried everything...made my own gasket, silicone, factory gasket, had the flange grinded down flat...and nothing works. it will only go to about 8-9 psi and slightly drop from there. this is driving me insane. any suggestions before i run my car into a wall???

 

[skelly]

I would think that sanding both faces to be truly flat (you can't just do the bolt-on tube and expect it to seal if the turbo flange itself is part of the problem) and a good condition gasket between them would take care of it.

A high-temp silicone gasket between the faces REALLY ought to cut it too - are you giving it the 12-24 hours it needs for a full cure before driving on it?

 

[awdturbolover]

yes, i always let it sit overnight or for a day. does any1 know of a better gasket?

 

[oldman]

Take the pipe to a machine shop and ask them to re-surface it for you or buy a new Jpipe.

 

[mastadogg2]

When your putting the Jpipe on the top of the compressor outlet on the turbo are you doing it first and not with the couplers attached to it? Because I was doing mine with the couplers attached and it wont go on flush you need to do it alone first so you know its going flush.

 

[awdturbolover]

i've been doing it with the coupling attached first, but i'll try it the other way.

 

[mastadogg2]

i've been doing it with the coupling attached first, but i'll try it the other way.

There ya go, thats your problem! This time put a thick bead of rtv around the gasket and gently push it a bit and let it sit for 2-3 hrs and then tighten it down hard and youll be leak free =) good luck

 

[skelly]

...you need to do it alone first so you know its going flush...

Good call - I'd just assumed he was doing this already. Silly assumptions.

- SK

 

[awdturbolover]

bolting the pipe down worked. but it was a pain in the a#$ to hook the rest up. thanks