Please Help Boost leak Test not building boost.

[lownslow2002]

Okay so I have been trying to do a boost leak test for the past couple of days and I cant for the life of me get it to build any boost at all. I checked the tester for leaks by clogging it and then applying pressure and it held to 80 psi so I figure that it was working fine. I attached the tester to the inlet on the turbo and then began to attempt to presurize the intake. When I found that I was getting no boost I began trying to find out how far the air goes to. I have no idea what to do next. I just bought this car and I really want to figure out where all the leaks are but until I can get it to hold pressure I have a huge leak somewhere Please help me. If you know of some hoses that might be disconnected anything to figure this out it is driving me nuts.

 

[firehawk]

one time after getting my engine fixed, i had the same problem. I found a few small leaks, but one night it dawned on me....maybe my wastegate isnt hooked up. Sure enough, it wasnt...hooked it up, and its all good. Who knows...maybe thats the problem...just sounds like ALOT of boost to be losing over something so un-noticable.

 

[lownslow2002]

So I noticed that all of the air is escaping through the BOV and there is a leak on the intercooler piping connections and the BOV gasket is leaking. Should air be coming out of my BOV while I am pressurizing the intake. When I took it to the gas station today it would just spew out of the BOV therefore releasing all of my pressure before I could listen for the other leaks. Please help if you have any ideas about this.

 

[oldman]

Where is it leaking out of the bov? The gasket? This is what I would do.

1. Disable the mbc or turn it all the way up so air will not escape through the bleeder hole.

2. Fix the bov gasket leak and anything you can find for now and repeat pressure test.

3. Open the oil cap to listen and feel for air on your next pressure test. If air is escaping into the crank case, follow this thread. http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=174682&page=1&pp=25

Sounds like you have a lot of leaks. Fix leaks and repeat test until system holds 20 psi reasonably. This is why I think air compressor is a good investment, have fun going back and forth to the gas station. Good luck.

 

[GTM]

...
I checked the tester for leaks by clogging it and then applying pressure and it held to 80 psi so I figure that it was working fine. I attached the tester to the inlet on the turbo and then began to attempt to presurize the intake. When I found that I was getting no boost I began trying to find out how far the air goes to. I have no idea what to do next. I just bought this car and I really want to figure out where all the leaks are but until I can get it to hold pressure I have a huge leak somewhere Please help me. If you know of some hoses that might be disconnected anything to figure this out it is driving me nuts.

Hope I understand correctly that it was the tester you used that you checked at 80 psi and NOT the system.

There is no substitute for doing the obvious, it's like putting out fires you put your efforts where you see the problems. When you get to one you don't understand you don't need to spin your wheels just focusing on this when there are other task that can be done.

It sounds like there is a problem with the BOV and will need to be replaced. I've heard of people taking a hammer to them, others clamp in a vise to crush them to get more pressure before they release, this can crack the bellows and will leak air.

http://vfaq.com/mods/ICtester.html

On their site you should find other information that will help answer some of your questions, so bookmark when you need. You must have a manual in book form, there are CDs which can also help.

It's sometimes helpful to make up a soap and water solution to then paint and/or spray around all the ends of the hoses to see bubble leaks.

Let us know your progress or if we answer more questions.

Cheers,
GTM

 

[lownslow2002]

It is leaking out of the actual recirculation fitting, but when I block it off I then can find the other leaks but by the time I get back to the car all the psi is gone.

 

[lownslow2002]

BTW it was the tester that I tested to 80psi not the system. I may be new to DSM's but I do have a college edgimication.

 

[lownslow2002]

I keep forgeting things. I really apreciate the help. What kind of BOV would you recomend. I was leaning toward a tial 50mm BOV and geting a MAFT blow through since you cannot recirculate a tial BOV would this be the best idea.

 

[GTM]

I do have a college edgimication.

I saw that in your profile.

Without meaning to pry, what course of study?

I'm not a DSM ex-spurt so can't advise on specifics, perhaps Oldman has more info on these specifics. Do make sure this is the last source of problems for they will set you back the cost of a VERY good dinner or you will be eating at McDees for the next week or so. hehehe There are other things which can also cost even more money so do the free stuff, then the easy with minimal expense gaskets and clamps if bad or missing. If you have the hose off on the inlet turbine reac in with your fingers and give it a spin and wiggle.

BTW if they are big leaks you may have to keep painting the fitting with your soap and water for it will just blow it away.

I try to not make it a policy to spend people's money or time until they have exhausted all other options. You will see a lot of people drop bomb shells on your wallet or have you chasing ghosts because it's not their time or money. Diagnosing problems with recycled electrons is like doing brain surgery over the phone.

Cheers,
GTM

 

[lownslow2002]

Economics is my major. One more semester hopefully and I will be done. I will attempt to fix it without spending money this week but if it dosent fix the problem soon It will be time to take it to the track and I will need it fixed. I also am a firm believer in doing it right the first time so I dont have to reupgrade and as far as I can tell a MAFT and a Tial are both upgrades that can be done without hurting performance and will hold up for a ton of horsepower. Totally appreciate the help I will keep working on it and keep you all posted. BTW I did check for shaft play and any wiggle and it has none so that is

 

[oldman]

I do have a college edgimication.

I don't, what are you trying to say.

The only bov I've ever own is the 1G bov so you'll have to do your own research on that. I do remember the HKS being adjustable, I could be wrong. If so, try tighten it up before you start looking for a new bov. Focus on the leak test for now.

 

[lownslow2002]

The air is coming out of the hole that the recirculation hose goes on and I cant build any psi it is a 1g bov.

 

[oldman]

The air is coming out of the hole that the recirculation hose goes on and I cant build any psi it is a 1g bov.

Mine holds to about 18psi so something is probably wrong with yours if air is gushing out at such a low boost level, you can pick up a decent used one for about $35. You will have to fix the gasket leak before you continue with the leak test anyway, might as well change the bov as well.

 

[GTM]

...
One more semester hopefully and I will be done.
.................
I will attempt to fix it without spending money this week but if it dosent fix the problem soon It will be time to take it to the track and I will need it fixed. I also am a firm believer in doing it right the first time so I dont have to reupgrade and as far as I can tell a MAFT and a Tial are both upgrades that can be done without hurting performance and will hold up for a ton of horsepower. Totally appreciate the help I will keep working on it and keep you all posted. BTW I did check for shaft play and any wiggle and it has none so that is

Congratulations!!

If you have money to spend and some of these iffy things were in that budget as upgrades so you could give yourself an early graduation present then I have no problem endorsing this. I'm so old all I care about is does it start and stop when I want it. If you have not heard it before read my lips... these cars are very high maintenance and should probably not be considered as transportation for they will constantly let you down especially if you make a lot of iffy mods. They are fun cars if you don't mind working on them, when you are dependent on others then they become expensive. Join AAA, get their best towing package you may need it. I don't do mods so can't advise, you can try searching those forums specifically for the key words that interest you.

It seems you have a time schedule, you should have most if not all of the problems done in a day, then address those things which will yield the most bang for the buck at the track.

Cheers,
GTM

 

[steve]

The air is coming out of the hole that the recirculation hose goes on and I cant build any psi it is a 1g bov.

If you stick your finger in the vent you should be able to feel if the air is leaking from the bottom where the valve is suspost to seal the UICP or from along the shaft to the valve from above. The chamber above (lower chamber) is ported directly to the base of the BOV so that pressure in the intake can reach the bottom of the diaphram so that when the upper chamber is depressurized the BOV opens quickly. Whatever seal (if there is a seal) that is used around the shaft from the diaphram to the valve disk seems to wear out allowing air to leak from the lower out the vent.

Steve