boost leak

[Igovert500]

Ok, so I am beginning to think I have a boost leak somewhere. It sounds like my turbos are more audibly spooling. I don't feel the low-end torque as much now, and I really think I have a boost leak. So being that I am entirely broke after paying car payments, rent, and car insurance, I don't have money for a pressure tester. So I'm wondering if the soapy water trick actually works? Do I just put soapy water all over everything and give it some gas and look for bubbles or what? Any do's and don'ts would help. Thanks, Geoff

[GrungeAholicVR4]

Originally Posted by Igovert500

Ok, so I am beginning to think I have a boost leak somewhere. It sounds like my turbos are more audibly spooling. I don't feel the low-end torque as much now, and I really think I have a boost leak. So being that I am entirely broke after paying car payments, rent, and car insurance, I don't have money for a pressure tester. So I'm wondering if the soapy water trick actually works? Do I just put soapy water all over everything and give it some gas and look for bubbles or what? Any do's and don'ts would help. Thanks, Geoff

Yes, it does work, but it is time involved, I also like to use my fingers on the vauums lines, this takes time too, but with the car idleing just run your hands over the lines, and use soapy water, this is how I have found all of my vacuum leaks. Also, simply listen, you can here the leak, a nasty lil hissing sound, kinda high pitched. As for leaks in stock rubber turbo, intake, or intercooler lines. Those are much easier to find, Soapy water will work, as well as just remove your intake, Y-pipe, ect. Get down in their and look around, find them, and plug them with Rubber Radiator Hose Sealant, or just any common Sillicon Sealant, then wrap that with duct tape, then go over the duct tape with electric tape, so it appears balck again, if you are on a budget, this is the way to go, If you have cash, buy Hard Pipes. Also, if you want to repair a lil bit in between cost, Autozone and O'reilys carry kits to fix rubber radiator hose, like $15 I think.

Good Luck. Use a Friend to hit the gas if you have actual boost leaks via turbo, intake, intercooler lines, otherwise you can find vacuum leaks yourself fairly easily.

[Igovert500]

Hey I appreciate the advice, unfortunantly it doesn't look like the weather will hold off long enough for me to do it. I had to solder my radar detector wiring back together as it got sliced. I sent you a PM with a few more ?s

[Igovert500]

I read somewhere that with a vacuum leak, an engine will idle a bit higher, is this true, and where do your vr4s typically idle?

[BB1970]

my gto ticks over around 900rpms with no air con on. does your turbos make a louder whistling noise than usual? if so its rebuild time..........

mine made a louder spool noise for a few weeks before the front one shat itself but if you catch it in time you can put a rebuild kit in.......... or buy your 15g's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Igovert500]

They aren't whistling, it is just when I stomp on the gas, I don't get pushed into the back of my seat as hard as I used to, the turbos sound the same as always, I just think it is a bit louder and more noticeable. It just feels like the power isn't completely there 1st through 4th gear. If I cruise it still feels like all is normal, but when I get on the boost at WOT in the low gears, I don't feel like it pulls as hard. I just wish I had some way to confirm my suspicions. I don't have a pressure tester, don't have an aftermarket boost gauge, and I don't have the time to take it to the track.
I wont pay for a rebuild kit...if they blow...I'll be pissed for a min or 2 and then glad that I will be forced to buy the 15Gs. But right now it is just annoying. I do idle at around 900, so that is good. Dammit I hate troubleshooting.