I sprung a boost leak @*%)@$

[Socom688]

So, on my way back to Jax from Orlando, I sprung a boost leak. I tried to drop it down into 4th to pass a slow person in the left lane and the car pulled like crap. I checked the boost gauge, and sure enough the most I made was about 6 psi at red line. I was pegging about 11-11.5 before this happened. Also the vacuum only pegs at 6 now, when it was about 15. I pulled off at a gas station, and I could hear a hissing sound from inside the car, and it sounds like it is coming from the dash. I popped the hood and all the connections between the blower piping seemed tight and sealed. Unfortunately since my car is loud as hell, I can't hear the hissing sound under the hood.

So, WTF do I do from here? Any tips on ways to find the boost leak?:shrug:

FML

 

[98 Saleen Cobra]

Just a thought but does the HVAC vents work?? Maybe a hose popped off from there?? That's vaccum controled

 

[Socom688]

Just a thought but does the HVAC vents work?? Maybe a hose popped off from there?? That's vaccum controled

Yeah they work, I am in class now and will check once I get to my car, but the hissing sounds like it is coming from behind the driver side (if that helps), and I don't believe it is coming from them.

That wouldn't explain the loss in positive boost would it? I dropped a nice chunk of PSI

 

[Socom688]

Anyone else have any ideas or test methods? I know of the simple soapy water on the piping connectors, but thats all I know how to test it without pumps etc

 

[98 Saleen Cobra]

Yea I'm pretty sure it would explain the loss of boost.. try to not go WOT as it's probably running rich. I wish I could help more but I really don't know to much on the Vaccum side of these cars.. Maybe try to take it to ford..

 

[Socom688]

Yea I'm pretty sure it would explain the loss of boost.. try to not go WOT as it's probably running rich. I wish I could help more but I really don't know to much on the Vaccum side of these cars.. Maybe try to take it to ford..

I appreciate the help. I will look around for a good aftermarket mech shop around here, I have had bad experiences with some of the monkeys at Ford.

 

[BlackVenom99]

VWVortex.com - DIY: Boost Leak Tester

I use a quick connect air hose end into my pvc end cap(compressor at 25-30psi)...it's amazing how few forced induction domestics know about testing for boost leaks. I guess since it is mostly imports that come with turbos stock, then it becomes a necessity for even the stock turbo imports.


Edit: Just realized that you shouldn't necessarily follow those directions word for word. Like you may have a different compressor inlet size and need to get everything to match your combination.

 

[1QUICK10TH]

You definitely lost a vacuum hose. If everything is good under the hood then its probably behind the dash but I'm willing to bet your problem is under the hood.

 

[Socom688]

I had a leak in the boost gauge line under the dash. So that fixed the hissing noise and the vacuum returned to normal. However, I was still only making about 5 PSI. So I popped off my powerpipe and sure enough, oil everywhere. My seals must have shot themselves to shit. I just ordered a rebuild kit from 928 Motorsports, I'll let y'all know how it goes!