DIY Boost Leak test made easy

This is a simple way to perform a boost leak test. Using items that can be found in just about any hardware store.
2.5'' I.D PVC $6.00
Universal bicycle valve $11.00
Air tank w/gauge $25.00
The rest is just a bottle of soapy water to test for leaks. I have heard of people doing more advanced ways of doing this test by using a smoke machine. But this method has worked for me time n time again, just takes a bit longer.

[@christopherwilliams8423]

Thanks. Blow off pretty close to ground.

[@BigVanSmallWorld]

using an air tank is brilliant thank you

[@EpicCreeperCorps]

incredibly useful video and interesting ideas. Thanks!

[@williamgilman7427]

Cool, I'm in Florida going to be doing this on my 2010 speed 3. thanks for doing the video.

[@HighPerformanceNetwork]

+William Gilman Your welcome. My brother had a Speed 3, awesome response and a blast to drive. Did a front mount and had the exhaust exiting from under the side skirt just above the left rear tire. Let me know if there is a video you would like to see.

[@MrZimmaframe]

Great video, you are offering free advice to solve an issue. Ignore the negative comments.

[@HighPerformanceNetwork]

Much appreciated sir!

[@Grainsauce]

Bike pump or cheap electric walmart pump will work also

[@brandonprettyman269]

why is your bov so low to ground you should flip that around before you break it off on speed bump

[@HighPerformanceNetwork]

Simple answer. Style!! If my front bumper clears then so does the bov. never had an issue before

[@Drifttheorygarage]

you should really move it...

[@eazyazpie3767]

stupid style

[@303storm]

Why dont you guys just do whatever you want on YOUR car. Oh wait, you dont own a Skyline. Pure Envy.

[@eldub6495]

Its clearly 6 inches lower than most things under there. Freestyler..

[@projectzed5766]

Great video and great info, Thanks

[@davejohnson3376]

Nice video, thanks. Gonna try this. Hope to find something as it's down on power.

[@HighPerformanceNetwork]

Dave Johnson much appreciated. Hope it helps

[@vazfx16]

Thanks. That's is a great solution.

[@HighPerformanceNetwork]

+vaz Fx Your Welcome.

[@jesseharriott4253]

Shoulda sprayed the corner of that intercooler. 💨

[@danmackintosh6325]

Nice tip, thanks. might have to try this. Just a question though. With 6 cylinders how do you deal with the fact that some valves may be on overlap at the time of the test, just rotate the crank until you find a "sweet spot" or block the exhaust too?

[@HighPerformanceNetwork]

Thank you!!. The throttle body should be closed for this test, however some IAC may bleed some air into the motor so if you see the air pressure dropping quickly and don't hear a sizable leak then you may have put a rag or block off the cool side intercooler. (Just be sure to remember to remove the rag/plug before starting) I may do an update video on another way to do it as well. Hope this helps bro

[@danmackintosh6325]

Cheers, yeah I never considered the throttle flap as I'm used mainly to diesels that don't have one :D that would help lol

[@HighPerformanceNetwork]

dan mackintosh lolll. Yup diesels are interesting

[@Macinvodakin]

Thank you.

[@ju1c3washere]

Good but when you push air there cylinders will allow some air to pass right? They are not 100% sealed.

[@HighPerformanceNetwork]

Marius Negrean correct! You may lose some pressure. Helps to have a gauge on the tank as well.

[@MojoSoRico8]

Do you have to block off the passage way to the throttle body so the air doesn’t escape into the engine ?

[@HighPerformanceNetwork]

Jaxiel Rico good question! You can do so if you wish. But generally once the throttle body is closed it's ok....providing you don't use an air compressor or any high rate of flow. However if you have time on your hands and want to do the best possible job. You can go section by section with an air tight block off plate on the opposite end. Doing the hot side first. Then intercooler followed by he cold side. Hope this helps

[@t3rmj3rzyslime68]

danm whats up with that bov how many you been through?

[@HighPerformanceNetwork]

T3Rm J3rZySlime was for demonstration purposes lol. Although i did run it like for several months without issue. Lol

[@cgsingh1]

Thanks you bro

[@HighPerformanceNetwork]

G singh respect

[@giles200sx]

That open fitting on cam cover will be letting in air that is not metered I hope you dont run it like that

[@HighPerformanceNetwork]

Giles Greaves no sir. I was inspecting the oil catch can. Good catch tho loll

[@williamgilman7427]

nice video! are you in Jamacia?

[@HighPerformanceNetwork]

No sir. I'm right next door though. In Cayman

[@Ur_cristiano_778]

Thanks bro! good video

[@HighPerformanceNetwork]

+Kenton Patterson Your welcome buddy

[@jinglingbabygarage7030]

Looks like a good test but is it cool to put BOV on bottom?

[@HighPerformanceNetwork]

Edward Daniels style points yes lol. But speed bumps prob not. I was testing a theory on if the valve is easier to open going with gravity opposed to fighting against it

[@MrAhhsum]

Well done! Subscribed

[@YuriDomnikov]

Is it possible to just spray soap while the engine is running provided that a helper is revving up the engine ? I know about the noise noise does not help but the bubbles should tell anyway

[@HighPerformanceNetwork]

Suppose if you have high visibility of the piping that could work. Nothing beats a try they say :)

[@christopherwilliams8423]

Thanks!👍

[@Fr0zenfr0st]

My turbo is kind of a pain to get to. Can I attach the tester to the turbo inlet pipe instead?

[@HighPerformanceNetwork]

You can yes. Just have to be sure to cap or block any hoses coming off the intake pipe.

[@Fr0zenfr0st]

@@HighPerformanceNetwork Wow thank you for such a timely response on a older video. You just saved me a huge headache

[@HighPerformanceNetwork]

Fr0zenfr0st your most welcome. Let me know how it goes

[@TheTruelakersfan]

Try doing that on a twin turbo car like an n54 engine would be impossible.your lucky that old car is much simpler and has the turbo sticking all the way out like that.

[@HighPerformanceNetwork]

There are ways to do a twin turbo setup. Most factory (twins) compressor inlets will merge into one common. In cases like the RB26 & 2JZ. Although would never recommend anyone do a boost leak test with the MAF/MAF's in place. It takes a lil more elbow grease and piping, but it can be done.

[@g-track5065]

what if it comes out from the turbo the leak? what do that mean?

[@HighPerformanceNetwork]

It is possible for the o ring on the compressor housing to be damaged. That would be my guess. Another possibility would be if the compressor has a t fitting for a boost reference, check if the threads are leaking. Hope this helps

[@aarongiggers66]

Is this ok for the turbine? Where do you buy the pvc?

[@HighPerformanceNetwork]

Aaron Giggers hey. Once you are not going over twice the amount of boost pressure you plan on running. You are ok. As for the pvc I found mine in the plumbing alse of my local hardware shop

[@aarongiggers66]

@@HighPerformanceNetwork ok, I'll check there. Thank you.

[@miragedelta]

Why can't you start the car and check the leak by revving the engine?

[@HighPerformanceNetwork]

Transonic FADEC you could if you have a quiet enough exhaust. Or if the leak is really bad. Generally I do a leak test before race events.

[@108077854]

you cant build boost in neutral. engine has to have load

[@HighPerformanceNetwork]

Transonic FADEC 👍🏽

[@chrisking2717]

Yo bro. Are you from Barbados?

[@HighPerformanceNetwork]

Nope. From Cayman. Got a few friends from Barbados though. Are you?

[@chrisking2717]

You sound bajan. And yeah im frm bim.

[@HighPerformanceNetwork]

+Chris King aye a whole a we a one lol....plan on bringing the race car to bushy park in 2017

[@dontrustwhiteyevery1]

nice video.

[@HighPerformanceNetwork]

kilamanjaro Mountain thank you. Having to take a break from the videos as we have started a full visual media company, so time is real slim these days. Once the company is stable we will be returning to making more of these videos

[@HighPerformanceNetwork]

Ah i have only experienced a sound coming from the turbo once, and it was the nipple unto the compressor housing that had a tear. The sound was a high pitched hissing. However if you are getting a sound from the compressor after doing a full boost leak test. Then i would remove the compressor housing and check the rubber seal between the housing and turbo center housing. Give me a message on fb if you need futher instructions in what to look for......Hope that helps

[@fockyoumang]

could you use your tire if you have no air compressor?

[@HighPerformanceNetwork]

Hmm good question. I suppose you could yeah

[@fockyoumang]

+Wrex Cyphvren makes sense, instead of dumping quarters into the air at the gas station testing your system. I was thinking if using a spare tire

[@fockyoumang]

+Wrex Cyphvren or a tire on the car if in a jam

[@HighPerformanceNetwork]

+fockyoumang hey great idea. And thanks for sharing

[@fockyoumang]

+High Performance Network it's 35 psi, close to 40 which he is using

[@SodaTartsBaezFord]

My car is building boost even when I am light on the throttle, any ideas?

[@HighPerformanceNetwork]

hmmm is it a stock turbo you have? If so. I would start with checking the actuator or wastegate spring if its sticking shut. Ive seen rust hold the tension too high so the boost would build quickly but once it WG / IA flap comes off the seat, then it would open real quickly making your boost level fall off rapidly. So...If your boost comes on quick but instead of boost level stabilizing at the desired level, it falls off quickly. I would start by taking off the actuator or WG and doing a simple test. Can you check my boost controler video to see how to do this with a simple bicycle pump....Let me know if this helps bro.

[@SodaTartsBaezFord]

Thanks man!! Yeah. There is rust all over it, it's a 1997 Eclipse GST. I'll check out your video!

[@HighPerformanceNetwork]

SodaTartsBaezFord brilliant!!!! Let me know how that goes bro

[@SayWhaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat]

you forgot to use matches to really search for leaks :)

[@HighPerformanceNetwork]

Lol I vote you do the follow up video using propane and matches....Seen people use a cigar lol all sorts of ways yeah lolll

[@davejohnson3376]

Good tip.

[@eyeneedfood4344]

I dont even own a turbocharged car Lol

[@williamgilman7427]

wa guan

[@HighPerformanceNetwork]

+William Gilman Right here working on another video. Whats up

[@kpdvw]

which idiot designed the blow off on the bottom of the pipe down close to the road surface?