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  1. #1
    Veteran Member Three Rings
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    DIY- Boost leak testing

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    Boost leak testing is an important diagnostic step on any turbo charged vehicle. this DIY will show how a boost leak tester can be build very inexpensively and can be adapter to suit different air sources. This can help narrow down problems when a P0299 underboost code is triggered. There are some limitation to as the intake manifold isn't tested. You can not seal off the intake manifold and the sound of escaping air will make it harder to find small leaks. Included at the end is a method of isolating the PCV off as a possible leak.

    Start by removing the air scoop that feeds the airbox. Disconnect the MAF. Loosen the clamp on turbo inlet hose. I remove the airbox as well, it just lifts out. With the airbox out of the way remove the lower clamp from the turbo inlet and remove the inlet. Remove the oil fill cap, if pressure does get by the seal we will install in the turbo you want it to vent.



    Remove the hose from the throttle body



    Remove both foglight surrounds. A flat blade screwdriver inserted in the slots and release the tabs (these break easily) to remove the surrounds This gives you access to the intercooler connections for later inspection. If leaks are found you may have to remove the front bumper. Here is a great DIY on that by Scottish_A4.
    http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...?highlight=DIY



    Here you can see the difficulty in sealing the turbo inlet. The port in side of the turbo inlet is where crankcase vapor is feed into the intake while you are in boost as this area is always in vacuum(with engine running).



    I choose to pressurize my intake lines using an air compressor. So I setup my cap with an air fitting. If you don't have a compressor, a threaded schrader valve (car tire) and a bike pump will work. Very large leaks will be hard to pressurize with a bike pump but leaks you may still hear it. I suppose it possible to use a can of keyboard duster (look for a nonflammable kind). I started with a 2" pvc pluming cap. I just drilled a slightly smaller hole than my fitting and let te fitting cut its own threads. You could easily go slightly larger and use epoxy as well. You will find it easer to install the cap later if you camfer the lower edge .





    To plug the turbo inlet I used a bike tube Look for around a 2" diameter(i.e 26"x1.95"-2.1"). Cut the tube leaving around 10 to 12 inches each side of the valve stem. On one side tie a knot as close to the stem as you can. Tie the other knot about 5 inches away from the stem. Remove any extra material beyond both knots. Clean the tube with alcohol or soapy water and let dry. Barely inflate the tube so it just takes a natural shape (this will be very close to your turbo inlet size. Loosely wrap the tube in electrical tape from the knot closest to the stem to about 1 inch above the further knot. You only adding some reinforcement to the tube. This will cause the un-taped portion of the end to expand more and form a slight mechanical lock inside the turbine housing.


    Here it is installed. Install the sealing plug and inflate until snug.



    I have a compressor tank full and the compressor turned off. I verify there is no air pressure in the line and connect it. I slowly open the regulator until I just hear air entering. Give it a few seconds to pressurize the lines. I start with approx 3psi. this setup runs very quiet and makes it easy to hear any leaks. take a bottle of soapy water and starting spraying down areas and look for bubbles. The DV will be charged equally on both sides of the compressor housing so you should be able to check for leaks around its base as well. If you have no leaks it will be very quiet and it may hold air if you close off the line to the regulator (it may leak off as these fittings rely on higher air pressure to help maintain their seals). This method you cannot apply a full 20 psi as the plug in the intake will be shot out like a small mortar. You might get 7 to 10 psi at best, which will find most leaks using soapy water. Its a good idea to lay a towel over both air fitting in case they pop out. Its a wise idea to have an 8mm socket and a flat blade screwdriver in your car the next day or so in case you missed tightening a line back up.




    If you suspect a leak thru the intake manifold via a faulty PCV this is an easy test. With the engine off. Remove the hose from the intake manifold by depressing the upper and lower ribbed areas. It will slide out.




    Cover the intake port with a plastic bag (a thumb cut off of a nitrile/latex glove works well). Overwrap it in electrical tape. Put some stretch on the tape when wrapping to make a good seal. this will reinforce the bag as well. If you plan on leaving this on for a longer drive a ziptie or hose clamp may be order as under hood temps weaken the tape adhesive. Put the roll of tape and an extra bag in car just in case.
    Go for a drive and see if your boost loss is gone. The PCV can still vent to atmosphere as well as thru the turbo inlet. Its not pretty, but its a lot cheaper than buying a PCV because you guessed wrong.

    Last edited by van462; 03-12-2016 at 04:48 PM.
    VMR 710's, APR software, Eurocode HFC

  2. #2
    Veteran Member Three Rings
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  3. #3
    Veteran Member Three Rings S4_SH1640's Avatar
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    Good DIY, and thank you for sharing. However I cannot find something to plug the turbo inlet hole.

    Is there a kit to purchase to plug the turbo inlet hole?

  4. #4
    Veteran Member Three Rings
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    You could remove the hose from the bottom of the turbo and plug it there. Not likely to have the turbo itself be the intake leak. Its just not the easiest place to access.
    VMR 710's, APR software, Eurocode HFC

  5. #5
    Veteran Member Three Rings S4_SH1640's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by van462 View Post
    You could remove the hose from the bottom of the turbo and plug it there. Not likely to have the turbo itself be the intake leak. Its just not the easiest place to access.
    Thanks. I only have to plug that 1 inch port in side of the turbo inlet correct? or the hole and the inlet itself like you did?

  6. #6
    Veteran Member Three Rings
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    Both the hole down in the turbo inlet and the inlet hole itself. If you can get these both sealed then yo can pressurize the system to 3 psi and listen for leaks or do soapy water spray test on junctions. If its sealed up well enough and you don't have the compressor running you can usually hear where the air is escaping.
    VMR 710's, APR software, Eurocode HFC

  7. #7
    Veteran Member Three Rings S4_SH1640's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by van462 View Post
    Both the hole down in the turbo inlet and the inlet hole itself. If you can get these both sealed then yo can pressurize the system to 3 psi and listen for leaks or do soapy water spray test on junctions. If its sealed up well enough and you don't have the compressor running you can usually hear where the air is escaping.
    thanks!!

  8. #8
    Veteran Member Three Rings
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    Seeing your other threads, did you try isolating the intake from PCV system as in pictures 10-12 above. It at the very least lets you isolate out all the intake system from the turbo to intake manifold and only takes 5 minutes to do. If you misfires go away then the vacuum leak is from either the PCV or the engine block seals. The P0299 error you are getting is either a air leak, or wastegate actuator wear. Rarely is it the DV
    VMR 710's, APR software, Eurocode HFC

  9. #9
    Veteran Member Three Rings S4_SH1640's Avatar
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    if i disconnect that hose that goes from the PCV to the intake manifold then it started to shutter even more, engine shaking and everything.

    I noticed that my exhaust manifold screws were somewhat loose, so i took them all off, and replaced the gasket. tighten everything up and put everything back together.

    Problem still exists as i remove the oil cap, engine shakes and shutters. Again i inspected all the hoses and all looked normal to me. Im thinking the new PCV is bad? Idk, its audi part from the dealership.

  10. #10
    Veteran Member Three Rings
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    The engine will shut off if you remove that hose with it running. Its too massive an air leak but once you cover the intake manifold (not the PCV side, let it vent to atmosphere) with the bag and tape vacuum to the engine is restored and it should run normal. If it still misfiring after closing off the intake port, then its not the PCV or block causing your issues.

    But noted, I hadn't thought that someone would remove that hose while the engine was running. I added the extra info to the original write-up.
    VMR 710's, APR software, Eurocode HFC

  11. #11
    Veteran Member Three Rings S4_SH1640's Avatar
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    Here is what i have VAN462, Blocked the Intake manifold side, and then the engine runs good. So with what you said, i guess that means that its the PCV?

  12. #12
    Veteran Member Three Rings
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    Quote Originally Posted by S4_SH1640 View Post



    Here is what i have VAN462, Blocked the Intake manifold side, and then the engine runs good. So with what you said, i guess that means that its the PCV?
    Not necessarily, the PCV is designed to put a vacuum on a sealed engine block. The block being sealed limits how much air should reach the intake manifold thru the PCV. Normally only combustion gases leaking by the piston rings (plus moisture) enter the block and are then evacuated to the intake manifold. If the block has an air leak (front or rear main seal or valve cover) then more air than the ECU expects reaches the intake and you get a lean idle. Engine vacuum is also highest at idle so that why it shows as lean idle. The ECU also isn't as active at fuel trimming at idle. It would be very interesting to see what your short and long term fuel trim values are. We may be able as a community be able to add that to a list of checks when rear main seal is suspected as its hard to verify and costly to replace.
    VMR 710's, APR software, Eurocode HFC

  13. #13
    Veteran Member Three Rings Spm58's Avatar
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    Hey van, I'm going to try this later to hopefully find my boost leak, but was wondering if you know if unplugging that hose could cause any issues if that isn't the leak? And also guesstimate how long it's safe to drive with it unplugged and the other side closed up? Thanks
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  14. #14
    Veteran Member Three Rings
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    I had driven mine a week this way; when I had a PCV failure that was causing a loud shrill noise. I placed a piece of cloth over PCV side (to act as a bug screen) so it could still vent to atmosphere. I didn't notice any oily residue on it after it was all done. Without the vacuum present not much air will try to vent this way. The PCV should send gases to to the port at the top of the turbo but it has less vacuum pressure than the intake manifold does. you will get more oil residue sent that way so expect additional oil puddling in the intercooler hoses.
    VMR 710's, APR software, Eurocode HFC

  15. #15
    Veteran Member Three Rings S4_SH1640's Avatar
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    Does anyone have a better idea on how to block the turbo inlet other than using a bike tube? I dont know where to find one and hoping theres a better option out there
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  16. #16
    Veteran Member Four Rings bb-tt's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by S4_SH1640 View Post
    Does anyone have a better idea on how to block the turbo inlet other than using a bike tube? I dont know where to find one and hoping theres a better option out there
    I stick a piece of rubber between the PVC inlet flange and the turbo and tighten it back down then connect the compressor quick disconnect adapter to the turbo inlet hose. Plug the hose at the throttle body and you are ready to go. Mine was actually leaking from the bolts for the map sensor on my hard pipe fixed it by putting o rings on the bolts. Thought I posted pictures of the adapter I made before.


    The blue piece (below) is a tube patch I used to seal the PVC pipe

    Last edited by bb-tt; 06-04-2019 at 07:55 AM.
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