Just Boost Leak Tested. BOV Leaking?

[lccynmbr13]

I did the DIY boost leak test today. The symptoms I've been having seem to be knock to me as it only happens sometimes but someone told me that if I was getting knock I would throw a CEL code. I often loose power and then it finally decideds to creep back up after I let off the gas and step back on it. I'm not positive if I did the test the right way. I took off the filter, the MAS, and the pipe that goes from the MAS to the turbo, and installed the tester to the turbo inlet. This left my stock 2g BOV open with just a hanging recirculation tube. I don't have a boost gauge so I just used a tire pressure gauge on the shrader valve. Before I could even get it to 15 psi all the air would decide to flow out of the BOV. I think the most air I got it to hold was about 11 or 12 psi. I didn't get a chance to hear for any other leaks because I couldn't get it to hold higher pressure long enough to get under the car. I've also noticed that my BOV sounds alot louder than my friends in his 97 GS-T. He too has a conical filter and neither of us could figure out why mine was so much louder. All the clamps are tight and all of the hoses are attached to the right places. Any ideas? I plan on getting a 1g BOV but I don't want to do it now if I don't need to. My lifters also tick alot so I'm thinking I actually could be getting some knock but I want to see if it's a cheap and easy leak fix before I go and have new lifters put in.

 

[zippyshoe]

It sounds like you were performing the leak test correctly. The stock 2G BOV is known to leak badly at boost levels much above stock. If you plan on increasing your boost pressure above factory, then replacing the stock 2G BOV is one of the first things that needs to be done.

 

[lccynmbr13]

I do plan on gettin the 1g BOV but not at this time. Is there a way I can plug up the BOV so I can listen for leaks elsewhere or could that leak actually be my problem? Now that we brought up the subject of stock boost level what do they actually run at from the factory?

 

[zippyshoe]

Since you are still at stock boost level, I don't think the problem you are having is due your BOV. If your BOV was defective such that it was leaking abnormally (if it was cracked, for example), then this could create stuttering or hesitation. I don't know of an easy way to block-off the BOV. I suppose you could block-off the end of the recirculation hose somehow.

The stock boost pressure varies somewhat from car to car but is usually around 11 psi.