problematic Boost leak

[opaque]

I noticed that i wasnt building as much boost as i usually was, so I did a boost leak test and I have a huge leak from what sounds like behind my engine. I have felt around but i cant feel where it is comming out of. Do you guys have any ideas on what i should check?

 

[turbo98eclipse]

Intake manifold gasket?

Spray some soapy water towards the sound and see if anything bubbles up.

 

[opaque]

I didnt feel anything around the Intake manifold though.

 

[bryanwheat]

As stated intake manifold, or it could also be injector seals, vacuum booster hose, throttle body or any of the vacuum hoses under the intake manifold.

 

[slayer450]

That's where mine sounds like it's coming from too. throttle body seals

 

[opaque]

What is the best way to check because i cant see where i think the sound should be. and i cant feel the air either.

 

[92AWDHX40]

Check the egr valve too it could be leaking, and all ic hoses, bov and intercooler.

 

[opaque]

I know im just having a brian fart but what is the EGR?

 

[bryanwheat]

Exhaust gas recirculation valve.

 

[9!'clipseDOHC]

I know im just having a brian fart but what is the EGR?

Exhaust Gas Recirculation Valve.

It is mounted on the passenger side of the intake manifold as seen here:

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[opaque]

ok thanks. what is the best way to locate it the leak if i cant feel it?

 

[9!'clipseDOHC]

ok thanks. what is the best way to locate it the leak if i cant feel it?

Spray soapy water on it and look for bubbles. http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/articles-turbo-system-intercooler/169435-boost-leak-test-how-boostpro-net-tester.html

 

[opaque]

thanks for the ideas, i will return after im done and let you know what i find.

 

[bryanwheat]

You might find someone to help you out. Have the other person put pressure in it while you get your arm back there to feel for the leak. If it is leaking than you will find it.

 

[opaque]

Thats what i was doing, I acutally ended up laying across my engine with my hand back behind it trying to feel around for this leak. I caught some funny looks from the neighbors

 

[slayer450]

Grab that tb shaft where the throttle cable goes and wiggle it and see if the hissing sound changes.

 

[opaque]

ok so i have been looking for my boost leak for 2 days now and i still cant track it down. I have found that it is on the underside of my engine but i cant figure out exactly where it is.

 

[turbo98eclipse]

How do you know that's where it is? And by under, do you mean under like oil pan under, or under, like back of the engine by the firewall?

 

[opaque]

thats where it has to be, i have looked everywhere else. and when i get close to the back of the bay it gets louder.

and its like back of the engine by the firewall on the bottom half. thats all i can tell.

 

[Leo_99]

it could also be the throttle body seals. I had to replace mine recently. It took me forever to track it down. I coudl hear it but not feel it. I opened the TB while doing the test then i felt it coming out the back.

Try doing the BL test right from the pipe at the TB. Eliminate all the IC piping. I found it easier to trace

 

[bryanwheat]

thats where it has to be, i have looked everywhere else. and when i get close to the back of the bay it gets louder.

and its like back of the engine by the firewall on the bottom half. thats all i can tell.

There is nothing down by the oil pan to leak.

 

[9!'clipseDOHC]

thats where it has to be, i have looked everywhere else. and when i get close to the back of the bay it gets louder.

and its like back of the engine by the firewall on the bottom half. thats all i can tell.

Do you still have your emissions devices? If so there are a bunch of vacuum lines that run along the firewall and behind the engine. Also check the intake manifold gasket, that is on the back side and could be leaking on the lower half.

 

[cabot2g]

Are you using soap and water, you should be able to find the leak fairly easy with soapy water. Just use a squirt bottle with some dish soap and water. Spray the area and look for bubbles. Spray all the hoses and gasket areas.

 

[007jimmy]

Opaque, Have you been using soapy water as mentioned? You keep saying that you can't "feel" any leaks. I have had countless leaks that I could hear but not feel. Soapy water and a spray bottle helped a ton. You might be surprised what you find. Some leaks are not loud and as noticeable...

Edit. cabot2g beat me to it!

 

[turbo98eclipse]

Any info on this? It really shouldnt take 3-4 days to find it. BLT, a friend, and soap and water and you should have this thing tracked down! Have you lifted the car up and actually went UNDER the car to look for it?