7
Boost Leak Tester?
- Thread starter Thrawn
- Start date
jay745
What Would Glenn Danzig Do
- Location
- Slightly Outside Chicago
- Car(s)
- Mk6 racecar, Tacoma
You typically use a smoke machine to test for boost leaks. You want to hook it up to the air intake pipe so you can have it go through the turbo and entire system.
And reason people don't use snoop (very mild dish soap mixed with water in a spray bottle) and just press it up to 2-3 psig?
It's a tried and true method for detecting leaks in industrial applications. The air blows bubbles where it's leaking. Shouldn't hurt anything under the hood.
It's a tried and true method for detecting leaks in industrial applications. The air blows bubbles where it's leaking. Shouldn't hurt anything under the hood.
Hoon
Autocross Champion
- Location
- Rhode Island
That's how I've always done it.
A smoke machine isn't going to do anything unless you also pressurize the system. The system can be sealed at atmospheric and leaking badly at 20psi.
Stick a boost leak tester right on the mouth of the turbo and go about 10-15psi above your max boost pressure.
If it doesn't hold, start spraying the connections with soapy water to figure out where it's leaking. Major leaks will be audible, but small ones won't.
jay745
What Would Glenn Danzig Do
- Location
- Slightly Outside Chicago
- Car(s)
- Mk6 racecar, Tacoma
My smoke tester pressurizes it to whatever psi you want. I certainly wouldn't want soap going through my turbo but that's just me.
GoatPowder
Ready to race!
- Location
- Aurora - Wheaton, IL
This is my go to as well, until the engine gets hot and the BigBlue cooks off to quick to bubble. Alternatively a can of ether while the engine is off around the suspected connection and see if you get a high idle on start, only problem is it can take a while for the system to draw it in if the leak is small (patience is key). Or just feel around for a tear if you suspect a hose...
GoatPowder
Ready to race!
- Location
- Aurora - Wheaton, IL
Who the shit would spray soap into the turbo?
Hoon
Autocross Champion
- Location
- Rhode Island
Just compressed air goes into the turbo.
You spray the connections (on the outside) with soapy water.
I didn't know they made smoke machines that did 40psi or better, that's pretty cool.
The soap goes on the outside of the piping...
GoatPowder
Ready to race!
- Location
- Aurora - Wheaton, IL
And OP: the purpose of the PCV is to not allow pressure into the crankcase so you'd be fine.
Why are you checking for a boost leak?
Why are you checking for a boost leak?
Thanks everyone!
At about 10 psi, I get a trumpet sound. I am certain that it is the charge hose on the FMIC, as I have adjusted it previously to lessen the boost leak.
However, I do not want to be constantly pull the bumper off. Just hoping for one more adjustment and be done with it, hence a boost leak test.
Ok, so I'll build my own tester, via compressed air, and connect to the turbo inlet pipe.
StealthGTI
Autocross Champion
- Location
- Newport News, VA
- Car(s)
- 2017 GTI Sport
Disconnect the output from the turbo and install one of these:
http://www.frozenboost.com/intake-leak-pressure-tester/?osCsid=3188f60804044218392ce8dc6bee3ab0
I'm not sure what size is needed. But, from there, you just use a pump to pressurize the system to ~20 psi and listen for leaks, maybe even spray the external unions with soapy water and watch for bubbles.
Thoughts?
Scott
http://www.frozenboost.com/intake-leak-pressure-tester/?osCsid=3188f60804044218392ce8dc6bee3ab0
I'm not sure what size is needed. But, from there, you just use a pump to pressurize the system to ~20 psi and listen for leaks, maybe even spray the external unions with soapy water and watch for bubbles.
Thoughts?
Scott
Wrath And Tears
Go Kart Champion
- Location
- Azusa, CA
- Car(s)
- 17 Sport, 99 E36
Pretty sure I got the boost leak tester for my A4B5 from frozenboost, it worked great.
