boost leak test = leaking breathers

[Twizzle]

ok i went to boost leak test my car thru turbo inlet, blocked off the breather on the boost controller, went ahead and pumped in air, once it reaches like 10 psi, my catch can filter starts leaking all the air. that means its coming thru my pcv-straight through and breather valves on my valve cover. i tried cranking it to see if it would seat correctly and after 5 times, it still leaked. my comrpession is 155 across, on a cold motor, not holding the gas pedal down. turbo is a brand new sbr b16g. car does NOT smoke whatsoever, not if i get on it, let off, then step on it immediately(tests for valve seals), WOT, or idle. the only smoke i get is black(rich). is my timing off? car pulls hard at WOT but at partial throttle, where im like 45% throttle, as i build up to like 10 psi, and rpms raise to 4600 it starts cutting out and i hear alot of air leaving my engine, similar to when i had a ripped coupler. all my intercooler hose is new, new reducers, new straight throughs, t-clamps throughout. brand new throttle body gaskets. im clueless as to why it leaks out my pcv/breather outlets. any ideas?

 

[VBGSX]

How do you know it's leaking past your PCV valve?
From what you've said, that doesn't nesessarily mean it's coming from the PCV valve. There are other ways into your crankcase/head.

Go test your PCV valve and see if it's working correctly.
It's a one-way valve(bearing and spring). It should only let air go toward the intake mainfold from the valve cover. If you can blow through it in both directions, then it's bad.
Take it out and replace it with a new OEM one.

Do you hear any bubbling in the engine when you do the test?
Have you tested the system after the turbo?

Start with this.
Good luck

 

[2gPressure]

HEY mine bubbles under the valve cover when doing a boost leak test, nobody knew what it was when I posted it, what is it caused by?

 

[VBGSX]

HEY mine bubbles under the valve cover when doing a boost leak test, nobody knew what it was when I posted it, what is it caused by?

If you hear the bubbling when pressurizing at the turbo, it's usually the air leaking past the turbo's seal, going into the oil, down the oil return line and bubbling in the oil pan. That pressure will then make it's way through the head and usually escapes out the breather lines

To verify it's leaking at the turbo's seal, pressurize the system after the turbo(IC pipe, TB, etc.) If the bubbling stops, it was the turbo's seal

 

[2gPressure]

thanks, i'll try it again before and after the turbo next time. hopefully it doesn't affect power or anything too much, it seems to pull okay

 

[VBGSX]

I don't want to hijack his thread so just shoot me a PM if you have any other questions after this.

It's a common thing. It's not a problem unless you're smoking. While boosting and at idle, you will not(shouldn't) lose any air through the seal. At idle/cruise/boost, the oil pressure in the turbo is higher than the air pushing on the seal. Remember while you're doing the boost leak check, there isn't any oil pressure pushing on the other side. In simplest terms.
Good luck

 

[Twizzle]

How do you know it's leaking past your PCV valve?
From what you've said, that doesn't nesessarily mean it's coming from the PCV valve. There are other ways into your crankcase/head.

Go test your PCV valve and see if it's working correctly.
It's a one-way valve(bearing and spring). It should only let air go toward the intake mainfold from the valve cover. If you can blow through it in both directions, then it's bad.
Take it out and replace it with a new OEM one.

Do you hear any bubbling in the engine when you do the test?
Have you tested the system after the turbo?

Start with this.
Good luck

my first post:
"...that means its coming thru my pcv-straight through and breather valves"
i have a straight thru pcv....and a breather valve..i hear air leaking from my catch can filter...where else is it coming from?? no where but the 2 breathers off my valve cover

ill try it through my lipc and see if it still does it, but my turbo has about 10000 miles on it tops, all with me driving. installed it brand new with a new feed location, new drain line, etc, never starved of oil... it just doesnt seem like my turbo is the actual cause. i also have no shaft play, its exactly how much play it was when i got it brand new, if not less.

 

[VBGSX]

my first post:
"...that means its coming thru my pcv-straight through and breather valves"
i have a straight thru pcv....and a breather valve..i hear air leaking from my catch can filter...where else is it coming from?? no where but the 2 breathers off my valve cover.....

I think there is a miscomunication. It's a little hard to translate parts of your posts(Better descriptions, punctuation, etc, would help). Maybe that's why I'm the only person trying to help you right now.
Now lets try this again.
So are you saying your intake manifold PCV nipple is capped off and both your PCV line and your breather line(both from the valve cover) are routed to the catchcan?
If so, there are only 4 ways left that pressure can make it into the crankcase.
1. Valve guides
2. Compression rings
3. Turbo seal
4. Head gasket

ill try it through my lipc and see if it still does it, but my turbo has about 10000 miles on it tops, all with me driving. installed it brand new with a new feed location, new drain line, etc, never starved of oil... it just doesnt seem like my turbo is the actual cause. i also have no shaft play, its exactly how much play it was when i got it brand new, if not less.

It doesn't matter how new your turbo is or whether it's in perfect condition. It's very common for pressure to make it's way past the turbo seal(aftermarket turbos and stock).
This won't happen on every turbo though.

 

[Twizzle]

so basically i just have to test via lipc. yes, both lines go to catch can, just like the taboo speedshop writeup. do not criticize my grammar as this is only the internet, not college and i am not worried about my incorrect use of commas, or lack thereof. headgasket is 4layer, should be out of question, rings should be good at 155 across. ill just use lipc and see what happens.

 

[PieEyedPiper]

But if you're concerned in the least with following the rules of this forum, those comma's and correct punctuation will become a priority. Clarity is key. Also, the guy trying to give you a hand is a cut above the rest, at least hear him out and allow yourself to get the help you require.
Good luck.

 

[Defiant]

do not criticize my grammar as this is only the internet,

This is not "only the internet". THIS is DSMtuners.

not college

For your purposes, consider this site to be a college. You can count on picking up more real-world, usable knowledge here than in many universities.

and i am not worried about my incorrect use of commas, or lack thereof.

We are. Worse, I am.

Mind the sword, Damocles.

 

[Ludachris]

so basically i just have to test via lipc. yes, both lines go to catch can, just like the taboo speedshop writeup. do not criticize my grammar as this is only the internet, not college and i am not worried about my incorrect use of commas, or lack thereof. headgasket is 4layer, should be out of question, rings should be good at 155 across. ill just use lipc and see what happens.

I'm glad you are not concerned with your incorrect grammar, but the people who are here to answer your questions are. You want people to give you advice but you refuse to show them, and the site respect by following our rules? I'm sure plenty of people will be quick to help you now. You might as well have slapped the guy in the face who was answering your questions.

By participating on this site, you've agreed to follow our rules - this is not "only the internet", this is a privately owned forum with certain guidelines and policies. I'd suggest you follow them if you want to continue to be a member.