Boost Leak...i'm stumped

[JamJay]

Hi all. Yes, another boost leak post but I can't find the answer to it using the search like I normally do.

Anyway, I think I might have one. The reason I say this is that sometimes, the turbo sounds really loud but not all of the time. This is only since having a remap mind. The thing that puzzles me is that it has been on the rollers and VAG-COM and there are absolutely no fault codes, of any kind on this car. Performance doesn't seem to be affected much but sometimes it does feel a little sluggish. I begin to wonder whether the open cone filter might be causing a problem as it's using the OEM air feed, possibly it's not getting enough air to it? I was going to switch back to the OEM airbox and panel filter today but decided against it as i'd rather do that when I can get my hands on an uprated panel filter. The other thing that springs to mind, doesn't it take a couple of weeks for the car to 'learn' the new map? Should I give it a little while to settle perhaps?

 

[Mylo]

the open cone won't be starved of air mate, so discount that.

What year is your car ? My 03 LC is notorious for not showing fault codes, even when the MAF failed. Burst breathers never showed up either.

 

[D.K]

Your ECU should have adapted by now,

 

[greesha]

I gave up looking for my boost leak..

When i will have some time (read as money) i will have to leave it with some specialists i guess.

 

[Mylo]

guys, start with this thread: http://www.seatcupra.net/forums/showthread.php?t=215088&highlight=intake+manifold

Then check all the easy to see pipes

 

[JamJay]

I forgot to mention that the TIP & DV have been replaced too.

Well one thing is for certain, the car still flys, it's noticably faster than stock but I can't help feeling that there's somthing the matter.

It's an 03 LCR, the guys at AMD said thay they thought they heard a boost leak when it was down there, but no fault readings. I checked the intercooler, DV and TIP connections and all seems well.

I had a little poke with an LC the other day, I couldn't tell whether it was Stage 1 or not but I expected to pull some distance on him. I pulled away for sure but I wasn't exactly flying away

 

[D.K]

Have you got a boost guage yet ???

 

[JamJay]

I checked under the intake mani mylo and it's as dry as a bone, all hoses seem connected and intact.

 

[JamJay]

No, no boost guage D.K. I'd not know how to fit one to be honest. Is there anyway to check boost without fitting a guage, a diagnostic tool perhaps?

 

[D.K]

You can do it through VAG-COM.

Cheack the 8mm hose at the top of the charge pipe, it goes to the bottom of the N75 valve, mine had a small split in it by the hose clip which slowly got bigger.

 

[JamJay]

All is fine there too. This is weird and I know i am not mad as I can feel the difference between when it's running strongest and when its not. Hmmmm.

I think i'll have to post up in the VAG COM section and see if someone can help. Alternately, where can I download the free shareware version from? I might be able to add it to my work laptop.

 

[LEE69]

Alternately, where can I download the free shareware version from? I might be able to add it to my work laptop.

http://tinyurl.com/qjtn3s

 

[LEE69]

You will also need a vag com cable to access the OBD port.

 

[JamJay]

Will shareware tell me what I am boosting at Lee?

I guess the cable I need are one of the Ebay jobbies?

 

[LEE69]

Not sure what it logs tbh you'd have to check, and yeah ebay lead is fine, generally comes with a copy of the freeware anyway.

 

[traumapat]

which dv are you running?

youd be suprised how much extra bhp you need on the road to make a difference so dont be too down for not making more of an LC.

Id let the map settle and let yourself get used to her. If your positive the cars gone sloutchy , pull over and restart the car. If it feels much better the car could be going into soft limp, most likely a boost leak of sorts especially as it was mentioned by the turner.

Boost gauge is well worth the money and effort... many times i glance at mine only to see alls well and my imaginations having a Senna day

 

[JamJay]

I am running a 007 and it's about 2months old so all should be well there. It's also on the yellow spring.

The distance i was making was what i'd say should be the normal difference between a stock LCR and stock LC. I was very very surprised.

AMD mentioned that it sounded like one but couldn't find anything. I know that the Neuspeed p-flo is very very noisy though so my plan is to stick the airbox back on with an uprated panel filter. That way I figures I might stand a chance of hearing any leaky noises. I will have to have a look at fitting a boost guage then, it is handy to know that all is well.

I just took it for a blast and it seems fine, 30 - 70mph covered in a matter of very small seconds and it's begging to blast past 100mph if I was aloud .

To be honest, I didn't think anything was wrong until the turbo sucking got rather loud and the LC gave me a run.

 

[traumapat]

could the lc have been mapped too? wasnt mine was it?

forge are usually 100% but do a pen test if youve any doubts, worth giving all pipes a tighten and check for splits but its more to up your confidence as i think the tuner would have noticed anything obvious.

Id not worry if it feels good to drive

 

[jwfcms]

well trace the pipework from the turbo through the charge pipe back through the coolers into the inlet manifold. check each pipe and clips are tight one by one. check for splits and take off the ones you can. make sure they are all seated correct and tight.

id make id a bit simplier for yourself and if you have a n249, remove it. remove all the pipework to it. get 2 metres of 3mm id silicone hose. very simple... two nipples at the left hand side of the intake manifold underneath, take anyone and connect up the silicone hose and pipe one straight to the fuel pressure reg. then the other one straight to the top of the dump valve. turn your dump valve so the pressure from the charge pipe will be pushing on the bottom of the valve, pushing the piston upwards then releasing pressure back into the TIP.

if you want to connect a boost gauge its simple. T Piece into one of the silicone hoses you have run to the fpr or dump valve, fpr i think is the most common. and run that pipe along the fuel rail to by the engine mount, then by the coolant reservoir, at the top of the left suspension top mount and under the wiper panel into the car. simples.

check the hoses underneath the car connecting the intercoolers together. check the pipe underneath the inlet manifold, also the one which runs from the n75 off the TIP to the charge pipe next to where the dump valve hose runs. mine split there before. and check the tip...

 

[dfullb]

Do you have access to a compressor ? Block one end of the furthest points of your intercooler hose & then cobble up a Bung for the other furthest detatchable end & fill with compressed air, Then go a hunting

I had a boost leak on a previous subaru, Could i find it , No !! Did this with a friend & found the blighter hissing away in minutes

Cheers.

Dean