Best way to find a boost leak

[Scotty_b]

Right ive got a leak somewhere but i can’t pin point it. It only seems apparent between 15-20 psi at full chatter. Now I have looked around the engine bay but can’t see anything obvious. I have gone round and tightened all the IC hoses and tip etc but it hasn’t changed. Im loathed to take the pipes off and check and refit them as I may cause some more leaks.

Any ideas how to find it? As it sounds like a kettle boiling and its getting on my tits!

 

[Tallpaul]

solution of fairy liquid on the hoses and look for the bubbles?

that's how i leak test various nitrogen/helium/air lines in the lab anyway.

 

[cordobabrendy]

scotty check round your sensors, thats where i found mine.

 

[Scotty_b]

Sorry to sound thick mate but wich ones? The ones on the tip?

Good idea Tallpaul as i still have some snoop left from testing the DP. God i forgot all about that!

 

[Feel]

If it's been any time at all, look for oil "spray".

Check the "F" pipe on the left hand end of the inlet manifold, been know to split on the inside...

 

[Scotty_b]

I must say feel, when i was looking at my car i was poking around and noticed grease/oil under my left IC pipe, is this where the F pipe is? Which one is it? Any pics?

 

[Scotty_b]

Right been over the car with a fine tooth comb and cant find a thing. My N75 valve was a bit loose so i tightened that but still get the noise.

Had a look around the LIC but cant find any oil or anything just dirt.

Its definatly leaking as on full boost you can watch the Gauge drop a fair old wack (20psi -15psi) Could this be the ECU? Doesnt explain the sound if it is tho.

 

[PhilW]

What rpm does the boost drop?

Have you got a fmic fitted? Sounds like its just dropping as the revs increase, basically gettin hot and pulling back.

 

[Scotty_b]

No no FMIC. Between 5-6k, its hard to look at the road, revs and boost gauge! It never did it before, just started to do it all of a sudden and with this kettle noise. The only change from before is the Blue flame system.

Also im running Low boost 9 and Timing 6

 

[Feel]

I must say feel, when i was looking at my car i was poking around and noticed grease/oil under my left IC pipe, is this where the F pipe is? Which one is it? Any pics?

Yes - it might be that.

The F pipe is on the left hand end of the intake manifold - it's a common problem but it's a bugger to find because it tends to split on the inside (somewhere). Rudd has have this go, he told me samco so a replacement.

 

[Scotty_b]

Bugger how am i going to tell then!

Be intrested if you could find anymore detail for me as a search threw up nothing.

It sounds as if its coming from the drivers side when i have all the windows down, which ties in with this

 

[andycupra]

left hand side.... as in car or as looking at engine?
ie nearside of manifold? or drivers side?

 

[Scotty_b]

Drivers side

 

[Feel]

Driver's side on an LCR...

I assume it's on the other side on an LC.

 

[didgy2]

solution of fairy liquid on the hoses and look for the bubbles?

that's how i leak test various nitrogen/helium/air lines in the lab anyway.

only way i could find mine was on a rolling road, for many weeks i re-fitted every pipe i could, replaced any that looked worn and replaced clamps..still had the leak.

put on a RR and they can hold it on boost for a few seconds(well longer than that really ) and get people to lie down by/move pipes until the leak was found.

bit expensive but it was driving me mad

 

[Scotty_b]

Whys nothing easy!

 

[TBCupraT]

If it's been any time at all, look for oil "spray".

Check the "F" pipe on the left hand end of the inlet manifold, been know to split on the inside...

Sorry for living in the past.

You don't happen to have a part number for said "F" pipe.

Bloody things split on me.