How to tell if you have a boost leak?

[rf860]

Firstly, i tried searching, but could'nt find an exact answer so figured i'd need to start a new thread. I've noticed when i have my window down when accelerating reasonably hard i can hear a noise that i can only describe as air escaping from a small space. I've also noticed that my car seems to run out of puff at 80mph+, it just feels limp. From 2nd gear, i used to be able to put my foot down and the traction light would come on, but now, it does'nt seem to be doing that. Economy is still ok, don't really drive that fast anyway, more about the mpgs! I got the dealer i bought the car from to check it over and they said they can't find any loose pipes etc. I am doubious of their thoroughness/workmanship though after the mess they made of my car last week. I did kinda think it was me just getting used to the extra power coming from a 1.4, but surely there should'nt be this noise if all the boost pipes were intact (apprarently). Car is a 1.9tdi 130hp. Can anybody advise?

Cheers,

Ross

 

[MJ]

Heavy black smoke is a sure sign, that or a loud hiss.

 

[rf860]

I noticed yesterday, even under light acceleration, i could see smoke at the back window. What the best method of checking the boost pipes? Pressure test?

 

[MJ]

Find a garage with a smokePro

 

[Andy25]

I've noticed when i have my window down when accelerating reasonably hard i can hear a noise that i can only describe as air escaping from a small space.

Not being funny, but it isn't your air filter making the noise, is it? Since changing to an open cone I can really hear the "sucking" noise from the filter when I accelerate, can't really say I noticed it before that but I've got the 1.8T.

I know it's not particularly good for the car revving it when it's not in gear, but as far as I know the car won't boost much when sitting still because the engine isn't under as much strain. You could try opening your bonnet and listening to the engine when you rev to see if the noise is still there & if so, maybe you could determine the where abouts of it if you have someone with you.

 

[Blanco92]

A VCDS scan can also throw up codes relating to boost leaks.

 

[lawrieIbizaMk4]

the noise you hear, does it sound like a wooshing noise?

 

[rf860]

Not being funny, but it isn't your air filter making the noise, is it? Since changing to an open cone I can really hear the "sucking" noise from the filter when I accelerate, can't really say I noticed it before that but I've got the 1.8T.

I know it's not particularly good for the car revving it when it's not in gear, but as far as I know the car won't boost much when sitting still because the engine isn't under as much strain. You could try opening your bonnet and listening to the engine when you rev to see if the noise is still there & if so, maybe you could determine the where abouts of it if you have someone with you.

Don't know lots about cars but i'm sure it's not the air filter. I will open the bonnet and see if i can hear anything. Cheers

A VCDS scan can also throw up codes relating to boost leaks.

If i could get my damn vagcom to work, i would have scanned it by now. I'm sure it's a small boost leak, unsure whether it would show anything, but would be worth a try.

the noise you hear, does it sound like a wooshing noise?

No, it's like compressed air escaping from a small hole (Shhhhhhhhh)[LOL]

Mum was driving behind me tonight and she mentioned to me earlier that there seems to be a fair bit of smoke coming from the exhaust.

 

[Andy25]

Don't know lots about cars but i'm sure it's not the air filter. I will open the bonnet and see if i can hear anything. Cheers

No, it's like compressed air escaping from a small hole (Shhhhhhhhh)[LOL]

As I said, I've got an open cone on mine and I can hear it making a "(Shhhhhhhhh)" noise almost all of the time when I'm driving, more so when at higher revs or when the engine is under more strain. I don't remember hearing it with the standard box on but I know that I've read a few posts where people can hear their car "sucking" air in once they've changed their air filters..

 

[rf860]

As I said, I've got an open cone on mine and I can hear it making a "(Shhhhhhhhh)" noise almost all of the time when I'm driving, more so when at higher revs or when the engine is under more strain. I don't remember hearing it with the standard box on but I know that I've read a few posts where people can hear their car "sucking" air in once they've changed their air filters..

Just standard filter on mine though, also even if it was the air filter, why would it feel breathless at 80+?

 

[tomhowroyd]

I am not trying to make it out like you're silly, but are you sure it's just not the turbo whoosh as you are not used to it coming from a 1.4? Tdis can be smokey sadly, as long as you aren't bellowing smoke like an old train when you put your foot down i wouldn't get to worried. Getting nothing 80+ is odd though, unless you have the pd100, which is a bit less potent than the 130 up there, but still you should feel something. Hope i'm right for your sake!

 

[vroomtshh]

If you want, take a swing past my bit tomorrow after work and I'll tell you if you've got a boost leak.

 

[rf860]

I am not trying to make it out like you're silly, but are you sure it's just not the turbo whoosh as you are not used to it coming from a 1.4? Tdis can be smokey sadly, as long as you aren't bellowing smoke like an old train when you put your foot down i wouldn't get to worried. Getting nothing 80+ is odd though, unless you have the pd100, which is a bit less potent than the 130 up there, but still you should feel something. Hope i'm right for your sake!

I drive tdis at work all day, can't even remember hearing this noise or anything similar from any of them. Yeah, i know about the smoking too, i never actually noticed it smoking tonight, it was my mum that mentioned that it looked pretty smokey.

If you want, take a swing past my bit tomorrow after work and I'll tell you if you've got a boost leak.

That would be great gary, i'll pm you.

 

[Copey]

I was just going say if you wer near me id have a look for ya, probably either the lower pipe thats connects to the IC or the top pipe off the engine.

 

[danfr]

i had a similar problem recently after changing the timing belt - noticeably more black smoke, less power and a whooshing noise when on boost. unclip the pipes connecting to the intercooler and check if theyve got their o-rings. mine didnt! I only hope that it fell off on the road and didnt enter the air system.
all back to normal now.
good luck sorting it out.