Boost Leak?

[Tyrdstorm]

I finally got around to installing a boost gauge in my car and I'm now a little worried that I might have a leak somewhere. In first and second gear I get around 12.5-13 PSI (which was expected) but in third it's only hovering around 14 PSI, maybe 14.5. I thought this car is 15.6 stock, so why am I lower? I thought adding an intake would help increase boost and the BPV would prevent leaks that the stock one is supposedly riddled with.

Maybe my gauge isn't ready correctly? At idle it shows around 19 vacuum and in first and second it's showing good boost... I dunno what's going on. If it is a possible leak, where do I start?

 

[Saskatchewan17]

I'm getting the same thing after installing my boost gauge. I was expecting 16-17 or so and it will only hold a little over 14.

 

[Saskatchewan17]

Maybe my gauge isn't ready correctly? At idle it shows around 19 vacuum and in first and second it's showing good boost... I dunno what's going on. If it is a possible leak, where do I start?

It should be around 22 vac... At least that's what I have experienced with both my stocker and type s. I just fixed the type s actually. When it was broke it shot the adjustment screw out the top and I was getting 18 vac and the car threw a CEL for it. I would say start at the easiest point. The bypass valve. Then work your way to the boost tubes. Check your intake, inlet... Just do a thurough check of the engine bay and see if you notice anything leaking or not working. Also check the line from your bpv to your intake mani (I believe? Correct me if I'm wrong). When I put on my new BOV I didn't zip-tie (I know that's all I had around!) the hose down hard enough and it was leaking.

 

[MS3 GT]

i was having boost leak after pg tip install... just check all ur vacuums and bolts. u should find ur way out...!!

 

[vtakk]

20vac for me;
and around 15.5 under WOT in 3d;
data from ECU;

 

[BoostedSpd6]

when u first hook up a boost gauge the places the normal leaking spots are at the T fitting itslef, or at the gauge..

if its mechanical... the fittings in the back of the gauge itslef could be loose but u should be able to hear that, should sound like an air compressor leak.. and this goes for the line as well as the T fitting..

if its electrical.. normally there is a sending unit that the line from the T fitting connects too.. check ur connection there and make sure u zip tie it really tight

 

[Saskatchewan17]

Mine's mechanical. No leaking coming from the vac source. I'm going to have to check my inlet. I bet that's the culprit.

 

[vtakk]

Mine's mechanical. No leaking coming from the vac source. I'm going to have to check my inlet. I bet that's the culprit.

teflon tape would make you happy.

 

[Cataphract_40]

I'm confused. In my understanding of how this whole system works, boost air comes out of the turbo, through some pipes, into the intercooler, more pipes, and finally past the throttle and into the intake manifold.

The turbo inlet shouldn't have anything to do with a boost leak...should it? I mean, even if it was installed shoddily and was loose as all hell, that should have no effect on keeping the system pressurized post-turbo...unless it has something to do with air not going past the MAF and thereby leading to an incorrect amount of air being metered into the system?

 

[Saskatchewan17]

Well if that's the case, then I don't know what the hell is wrong with my car. Last time I checked my boost tubes (pretty recently) they were fine. I finally have my type S in there and it is reading no more than 14.5 psi and 22 vac at idle. I got the same readings with the stocker, so I'm thinking that it isn't the BPV.

 

[Saskatchewan17]

Can anyone chime in here? I was only holding around 12 psi today.

 

[BoostedSpd6]

u gotta have a leak somewhere.. i know u said recently everything was fine but it wouldnt hurt to hook up a boost leak tester to find out for sure.. theres a thread on what u need and u can find everything at Home Depot, i check mine once a month, more if i take stuff apart

 

[jay32m]

Can anyone chime in here? I was only holding around 12 psi today.

You might want to keep adjusting the bov. I had the type s on mine when I had my stock tmic. Mine did the same and noticed I had it too soft. It takes some patience, I know I got tired of the adjusting.

 

[8.5MS3]

what are the temps outside? its getting colder, so less boost is required to hit load targets.....

 

[Tyrdstorm]

When I first start the car it sits around 19 vac, but after going down the street it will settle at 23/24. WOT in 3rd gets me about 14.5. When I turn the car off and just have power going to the gauge it reads 2 vac and not 0. I'm wondering if the gauge itself is off by a little bit? I have the Prosport electronic boost gauge.

 

[bykeryder4life]

whats the elevation where u live? it could make boost a little low

 

[Cataphract_40]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAHHhHPbluI

http://www.mirage-performance.com/EclipseGSX/BoostLeaks/index.html

 

[Saskatchewan17]

u gotta have a leak somewhere.. i know u said recently everything was fine but it wouldnt hurt to hook up a boost leak tester to find out for sure.

I'll have to look into that.

You might want to keep adjusting the bov. I had the type s on mine when I had my stock tmic. Mine did the same and noticed I had it too soft. It takes some patience, I know I got tired of the adjusting.

It is set fairly hard... but I might be wrong. Did you have any flutter (compressor surge) at all with your type s in vac or in low boost? Because I'm getting a slight "backspin" but it's not a pronounced flutter... sort of makes me not want to turn the valve harder.

what are the temps outside? its getting colder, so less boost is required to hit load targets.....

About 55 degrees give or take 5.

When I first start the car it sits around 19 vac, but after going down the street it will settle at 23/24. WOT in 3rd gets me about 14.5. When I turn the car off and just have power going to the gauge it reads 2 vac and not 0. I'm wondering if the gauge itself is off by a little bit? I have the Prosport electronic boost gauge.

Mine starts around 20... settles to 21.5 at normal idle. When power is off it sits at 2 vac as well. I have a prosport mechanical boost gauge. I'm almost certain it is the hook up to the gauge is leaking a bit. I don't hear anything under the hood though. But what throws me off is that the car doesn't buck, or kick, or surge, or do any wierd moves to indicate there is a rather large boost leak. It just drives like normal and the gauge tells me I'm maxxing out around 12 psi. I want to borrow someone's dash-hawk or other to verify this though.

whats the elevation where u live? it could make boost a little low

Almost sea level. No more than a couple hundred feet at most.

 

[rmgedon69]

the boost gauge is off its true reading.

 

[Saskatchewan17]

the boost gauge is off its true reading.

How so? What can be done to fix it. Just rewire? Or are you saying we have bad gauges.