2G How do you know when you have boost leak?

[boosted86]

My car seems to be acting wierd. Every time I go past 3k my turbo stats to spool (I can hear it) but I'm not getting nearly as much power as I should. I'm still getting pressure release (wss<BOV>).

I'm also getting puffs of white smoke, could this mean that my rings are bad or is it just that I have a boost leak and if it is a boost leak, would these be some of the symptoms?

 

[gsturboman]

having a boost leak would be symptoms of lag and no boost. do the soap and water test and do u have a boost gauge, see thats doing also. make sure all the hoses are correct and tight. check back in after that bro.

the white smoke is only when it spulls up? it could be the rings. see what boost your gauge says and do the test.

 

[oldman]

Why would WHITE smoke have anything to do with the rings? White smoke can only come from two scenerios, coolant (mostly HG...mostly) or unburnt oil (turbo seal on the hot side), I suspect the later since it's only smoking during boost. I suspect you most likely have major boost leaks causing turbo to overspin and force oil out of the exhaust side. The only way to find out is through a real boost leak test.