Boost leak tester… possible failure

automaticonlyspeed3

automaticonlyspeed3

Silver Member
Greenie N00B Member
Greenie Member
So I built a boost leak tester from using the “how to” on here.

I guess it came out okay.. I used a bike pump.. it would hold pressure for a second then it would let out. I plugged off the hose from the intake to the manifold.. I also had a clamp on the hose, but thought that plugging would work better.

When I put everything together, my cars runs fine for normal driving.

I just started tuning and got a base tune from freak so I want to make sure the car is ready to being the process..

my ebcs is hopefully set up okay.. different then the instruction on he stratified site, but the car runs fine.

I did get some knock on wot.. I’ll try to post a log or 2..

It sounded like a leak from the ebcs area possibly… dumb question, but for the boost leak testing process, is it supposed to just hold pressure the whole time no problem? I would use the bike pump and listen for air

any tips will be greatly appreciated.. go easy on a somewhat noob lol.
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0049.jpeg
    IMG_0049.jpeg
    1.3 MB · Views: 16
  • IMG_0050.jpeg
    IMG_0050.jpeg
    1.3 MB · Views: 16
  • IMG_0051.jpeg
    IMG_0051.jpeg
    1.3 MB · Views: 16
Last edited:
For the ebcs, in the third pic.. it’s in a 2 port setup.. one goes to wastegate, two goes to intake.. 3 is plugged
 
That bike pump won't push the volume of air that you need to do a proper boost leak test. You will need an air compressor with a decent capacity. Think at least 3 gallons.

Next, remove that Schrader valve, and install a pneumatic fitting with a ball valve. The ball valve will make flooding the air intake system much easier and FASTER.

Yes, the air will leak out. That is normal. Your piston rings and PCV system will leak it out slowly. The idea is to quickly flood the air intake system so the leaks take time, so you will have several seconds before having to fill it again. Use soapy water and spray it on all your couplers. You can check your EBCS as well as any other boost or vacuum lines throughout your system, since you'll be able to test at your operating boost pressure.

You vented the PCV system, good job!

You are on the right path. A little more work on your tester and an air compressor, will make like testing a breeze everytime you do it. You will wonder how anyone works on turbo cars without proper testing.

Newb...
 
Last edited:
Alright update time, thank you Mr penguin for your help. And I think it was Johnny tip lips for the original how to…

I Got a compressor and made a new fitting., I hooked up a valve with a switch that dumped a ton of air in… made it sooooo much easier to use.. the bike pump and also the compressor with the bike fitting was not working..

I found a bunch of leaks.. some surprises as well.

my Cobb bov didn’t have a gasket and the screws needed tightening.. so I leaked a bunch from there.. also a few clamps leaked… and others

once I fix a bunch of the leaks, other leaks stood out more..(I guess due to pressure focused on that area).

so.. I sent in some logs to Justin for tuning.. let’s hope for good things.

thanks again
 

Attachments

  • IMG_0052.jpeg
    IMG_0052.jpeg
    1.1 MB · Views: 9
Enki said:
You reset the ECU after fixing those leaks, yeah?
Should always do that.
Click to expand...

I had the battery out.. would that do it?

also, I just started tuning (on base map).. i have been getting a high engine knock.. hopefully justin can figure it out.
 
Yep. If you're getting a lot of knock when cruising, it's just the ECU testing shit. Disregard.
Knock only applies during WOT (for the most part).
 
Enki said:
Yep. If you're getting a lot of knock when cruising, it's just the ECU testing shit. Disregard.
Knock only applies during WOT (for the most part).
Click to expand...

it was at WOP... it spiked to like 6 ...

I sent in a few logs after the base map days ago, so I should be getting a new map any day now.
 
Is there an easy way to post the logs here? when i try to drag and drop, it says it won't allow due to extension..

bummer lol
 
Looks like you renamed the file; LibreOffice was still able to open it, but next time save (or rather export) as CSV directly.
Fueling is fine, looks like enrichment compensation. Do you hear any knocking or pinging at all? If not, it could just be like an exhaust rattle or something causing false knock. If you do hear something abnormal, could be oil mist or something reducing octane levels
 
Enki said:
Looks like you renamed the file; LibreOffice was still able to open it, but next time save (or rather export) as CSV directly.
Fueling is fine, looks like enrichment compensation. Do you hear any knocking or pinging at all? If not, it could just be like an exhaust rattle or something causing false knock. If you do hear something abnormal, could be oil mist or something reducing octane levels
Click to expand...

Thank you very much for the help! i didn't hear anything crazy.. i little crackle out the exhaust maybe, but nothing that i remember standing out that much..

Ill be honest, im a little worried to go WOT.. I did a few pulls, and each one got like 4-6 knock.
 
At 5-6 KR, should be audible, even with a reasonably loud exhaust.
*Probably* just engine noise, but it's something that should be diagnosed. Maybe have a friend come over and rev the engine for you while you listen in the engine bay for anything that sounds like a rattle.
 
So, I did a few more pulls.. same thing with the knock around 4ish..

Justin sent an email about it possibly being from dirty injectors or bad gas..

Is there an easy test for injectors?
 
You could *probably* log IDCs and AFR and if both seem to fluctuate a bunch, that might be an indication that one or more of the injectors are having a hard time.

For bad gas, you could put 3 gals of E85 in then top off with pump.
EDIT: Adding corn doesn't really work if you're already running a mix.
 
Enki said:
At 5-6 KR, should be audible, even with a reasonably loud exhaust.
*Probably* just engine noise, but it's something that should be diagnosed. Maybe have a friend come over and rev the engine for you while you listen in the engine bay for anything that sounds like a rattle.
Click to expand...


i do find water in my spark plug well (on top of it) at times.. really annoying,, i hope that is the true cause and not the injectors.

Im going to make a post about it now.. much easier fix than injector cleaning..
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top