Can a boost leak cause BOV to not open?

[Dirtboarder16]

I've been worried for the past couple days because I just got my new turbo installed but the BOV is not opening. I discovered today that I have a substantial boost leak. Could air leaking out cause the BOV not to open? It's a brand new 1G stock BOV, and it's getting a good vac signal so I don't think there is anything wrong with it. Please lend a quick hand. Thanks.

 

[paranoidTSi]

If there is unsufficient pressure to open the BOV..then yes..but it would have to be huge..I mean to the point it is hard to get the vehicle moving.

 

[Dirtboarder16]

If there is unsufficient pressure to open the BOV..then yes..but it would have to be huge..I mean to the point it is hard to get the vehicle moving.

Well the car was running fine, just a little sluggish. I am getting 12psi on my boost gauge, but I the bov just isn't opening. What could be the problem?

 

[Defiant]

Could air leaking out cause the BOV not to open? It's a brand new 1G stock BOV, and it's getting a good vac signal so I don't think there is anything wrong with it.

As you've realized, vacuum opens the BOV. How do you know it's not opening? Are you aware of what it does?

Fix any intake leaks before doing anything else.

 

[PaleDSM]

What kind of vaccum are you pulling at idle on the boost gauge?

 

[Dirtboarder16]

I know it's not opening because I disconnected the recirc hose and put a piece of duct tape over the outlet of the bov. I built 12psi and shut the throttle and pulled over and the tape was still covering the outlet hole. I am still pulling 20in vac at idle whereas before I was getting 21. Any ideas?

 

[Defiant]

I know it's not opening because I disconnected the recirc hose and put a piece of duct tape over the outlet of the bov. I built 12psi and shut the throttle and pulled over and the tape was still covering the outlet hole.

I think your bov is working fine. I doubt 10 or so psi would dislodge duct tape. Plus, as soon as you open the throttle, it'll get sucked back on.

 

[marcmsj]

what bov is it? you might have to adjust the spring on it if it has one. you could also try to rev the engine up from under the hood through the throttle cable and put your hand over the bov to see if you feel the air coming out. you probably won't build much boost if any at all but it should still be enough to cause your bov to open.

 

[Dirtboarder16]

I think your bov is working fine. I doubt 10 or so psi would dislodge duct tape. Plus, as soon as you open the throttle, it'll get sucked back on.

Wouldn't I be able to hear it easily with it vented, though?

 

[Dirtboarder16]

Maybe it's just leaking and the air pressure decreases so much before it opens that very little sound is being produced. Do you think the dodge garage mod would help so it stays tighter?

 

[Defiant]

Wouldn't I be able to hear it easily with it vented, though?

Ah, now we're down to it.

 

[Dirtboarder16]

Ah, now we're down to it.

Sigh, no I meant vented while I was checking it that one time with the duct tape over it. It's normally recirculated. I'm not a newbie. This setup is actually on my 3000GT, but I thought there would be someone who knows on this board because no one does on 3Si.

 

[Defiant]

This setup is actually on my 3000GT, but I thought there would be someone who knows on this board because no one does on 3Si.

Ah, an even better switcheroo.

I've never had the money to find out what those cars are supposed to be up to. Sorry.

How old's that BOV? Have you hooked it up to a MityVac and checked to see that it's working?

 

[Dirtboarder16]

Ah, an even better switcheroo.

I've never had the money to find out what those cars are supposed to be up to. Sorry.

How old's that BOV? Have you hooked it up to a MityVac and checked to see that it's working?

Haha parts aren't as cheap as they are for you lucky guys. The bov is brand new but I guess it could be defective. By MityVac you mean like a vacuum cleaner? I thought about that but I didn't think something like that could pull a strong enough vacuum, but I guess it would. Thanks for the tip.

 

[Defiant]

By MityVac you mean like a vacuum cleaner?

Um.... no, I pretty much meant.... ah... MityVac..... WTF

 

[eclipsegsx1736]

Dunno if this will help at all, but recently I was messing with the vac lines and forgot to hook up the vac line to the top of the greddy BOV WTF causing it to never open, and id get a compressor surge sound...but id assume you would have checked that.

 

[Dirtboarder16]

Dunno if this will help at all, but recently I was messing with the vac lines and forgot to hook up the vac line to the top of the greddy BOV WTF causing it to never open, and id get a compressor surge sound...but id assume you would have checked that.

Uh, yeah. I checked that.

So that's a mityvac... I'm not going to go out and buy one just to test my bov. I'll just use a vacuum hose from my other car while its running.

 

[Defiant]

I'll just use a vacuum hose from my other car while its running.

Good one. The only better way is to set up an empty refrigerant (etc.) tank as a vacuum resevoir- hook it up to the intake, go for a nice long coast-down, close the valve, use for whatever- brake/clutch bleeding and stuff.