DIY boost leak fix

**Stuwey** · 22-08-2013, 05:08 PM

After the very bumpy TARGA stage last night and fixing a loose sway bar link, it would appear that my car had a boost leak for about 20kms, until it now has lost all boost and will not make any positive numbers at all.

Forge/SEAT front-mount jobbie, so a lot of plumbing involved.

As a do-it-yourselfer, where do you start? Any tricks, other than one-by-one?

Cheers

**Lito** · 22-08-2013, 05:48 PM

Diy VWVortex.com - DIY: Boost Leak Tester

Or you can buy one already made

1.8T K03 K04 by turboboostleaktesters.com

**h100vw** · 22-08-2013, 06:31 PM

It's not that big a job, but the bumper probably needs to come off to do it correctly. Personally, I think start at the turbo outlet pipe and work your way to the throttlebody.

If that doesn't deliver, the PCV and vac system is next.

I am assuming that you know it's losing a lot of boost 5PSI or more.

Gavin

**Stuwey** · 22-08-2013, 06:38 PM

Losing 5?

It won't make more than 5!

Cheers fellas

**noone** · 22-08-2013, 08:03 PM

Sure its a leak?
If you're getting nothing I'd think the loose connection will be very obvious, a flashlight and some time poking around under and down behind the headlights / up through the foglight grills should give you a glimpse.

**h100vw** · 22-08-2013, 08:15 PM

Check the actuator rod is still connected to the wastegate flap. Just read your first line again, no boost at all.

If you had a massive boost leak, I am sure it would stutter like mad, my S3 did when the elbow off the turbo split. As soon as you got to atmospheric pressure it fell over.

Gavin

**Stuwey** · 23-08-2013, 08:09 PM

Well it still drives 'okaaaaaay' albeit with no grunt.

It picks up off the lights, gets to 1400 or whatever revs, builds 2-3psi, then pulls all boost back to vacuum again.

Very odd. I was under it yesterday but didn't notice anything glaringly obvious as far as loose/split plumbing goes.

Up on stands tomorrow and have a gander I guess :/

**h100vw** · 23-08-2013, 08:16 PM

If you see any boost then the actuator is probably ok, unless the nuts have nearly wound right off? I am really thinking a decent split in a hose, that holds boost, then gives up.

Gavin