how to find boost leak?

96SCstang

New Member
Jul 22, 2006
228
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novi, MI
i have read on forums that guys have a boost leak in there intercooled system, and my question is how do you find where the boost leak is? i'm just curious how you would find it. i dont have this problem or anything lol....just kind of curious. :p
 
I think it would be very uncommon to have a boost leak before the throttle body. Just ensure the pipes and clamps are well seated. In my experience, if there is a boost leak, you'll hear it roar when you get into boost and most likely the engine will fall on it's face because you are blowing out metered air (thus, an extremely rich condition). I don't see how it would leak if the connectors and clamps are well seated. The piping is metal, so unless there is a hole, it won't leak. Same for the intercooler. You could pressure test the intercooler using compressed air, but keep the pressures low (under 20psi). Just use a pipe plug on the outlet and make an adapter with a shrader valve to push the air in.
I've heard of some people using such an adapter to pressure test the entire setup, but it seems a bit pointless to me since you'll just blow compressed air through at least 1 cylinder and out the exhaust. :shrug: