Was wondering if anyone can help me perform a boost leak test? I have the adapter to use, but no compressor. The one I have is too loud, and I cant hear anything. Anyone that can help is greatly appreciated.

Just a tip for you - whenever you do a boost leak test, have a bottle of water with a few drops of dish detergent or soap in it and spray it all over the area you're testing before you start. But you want to keep the area wet with the soapy mixture. This makes it easier to see leaks because they will cause the soapy water to make bubbles. Also, since you have a boost gauge, have someone watch it while you pressurize the system (using the compressor). When it gets up to the lbs. of boost you wish to run on a daily basis, shut off the compressor and keep wetting the area you're testing (just don't let it become dry) and watch for boost leaks. They are easier to watch for than to listen for. While you're looking for boost leaks, have the person watch the boost gauge. It should take a good while to lose the pressure. If you need any more info, let us know or check out the tech articles or other threads on here about boost leak testing.

Good luck!

Thanks for your help bro. When I have tried doing it, I have someone check the boost gauge and it reads 0. I will try it again though with the soapy water. And I dont know if it is the compressor, or because of the MBC but I cant pump more than 15 psi in which is also what I have the MBC set to. Thanks again for the help. Is there anyone that has some time free who could help me do this since I would rather have a fellow DSMer that knows what they are doing than my friend who knows nothing.

Hey you want to drive over my house we can get it done here...I have a compressor and everything and a tester ,all we will need is one 2.5 inch coupler from the tester to the turbo. Let me know - Matt 412 260 1397

chico904 said:

Thanks for your help bro. When I have tried doing it, I have someone check the boost gauge and it reads 0. I will try it again though with the soapy water. And I dont know if it is the compressor, or because of the MBC but I cant pump more than 15 psi in which is also what I have the MBC set to. Thanks again for the help. Is there anyone that has some time free who could help me do this since I would rather have a fellow DSMer that knows what they are doing than my friend who knows nothing.

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Well, if your boost gauge just stays at 0, then you either have a BIG boost leak or, if you have an electronic boost gauge, don't have the key in the "On" position.

Well, when you do a boost leak test, you should disconnect the MBC anyway and just run a piece of vacuum hose between the two connection points of your MBC hoses. The reason is you have a bleeder hole in the MBC and this will definitely be a boost leak. (Thanks to turbosax2 for this information )

Also, when you do the test, make sure to test the turbo inlet (where the intake connects to) and at the throttle body. The reason to do the test at the throttle body is to narrow it down to the area immediately at and after the throttle body. The smaller the area you're working with, the easier it is to track them down and fix them. This is especially helpful for the vacuum lines to the throttle body and surrounding sensors and also for the injector seals. If you just do the test from the turbo inlet, it's harder to pinpoint leaks on the other side of the system.

Not that EclipseTrbo420A wouldn't know this, but his setup will be different from yours.

snowborder714 said:

Well, if your boost gauge just stays at 0, then you either have a BIG boost leak or, if you have an electronic boost gauge, don't have the key in the "On" position.

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Just an update, I went to Matt's house, and yeah you could say that I had a BIG boost leak. On the lower intercooler pipe, on the bend there was a decent sized hole there. That along with Matt also finding that the BISS screw is leaking, BOV gasket, and throttlebody shaft seals. If anyone ever wants help with finding boost leaks, Matt is definitely your guy.

That's good to hear that he helped you get rid of a bunch of leaks!