Stock Boost Levels New AWE Gauge

[JWMGT90]

I just installed a new AWE vent gauge.

I want to check to make sure my levels are ok:

Startup/Idle 15-16 vac
Warm Idle 16-17 vac

2k RPM cruise 19-20 vac

Boost spike 7 hold 5.

Are these good?
Car has been running outstanding so I just want to check.

Thanks

[AudiSportB5S4]

your vacuum reads a tad low especially on an un-modified S4.... typical vacuum levels on stock intake setup are around 19-21... 17-18 cold.... sounds like you could have a leak somewhere, hows your idle? does it sit perfectly still at 800 ?

[JWMGT90]

your vacuum reads a tad low especially on an un-modified S4.... typical vacuum levels on stock intake setup are around 19-21... 17-18 cold.... sounds like you could have a leak somewhere, hows your idle? does it sit perfectly still at 800 ?

yes perfect at 800

[team_soy]

+1
check for leaks..i have a horrible misfire(in process to get fixed) and i pull 20-21 at idle

[AudiSportB5S4]

yes perfect at 800

okay, well i mean it can vary, do you have the AC on?

AC on with those numbers are normal and clutch in.... turn off everything (AC/car in neutral) then whats it read?

[JWMGT90]

okay, well i mean it can vary, do you have the AC on?

AC on with those numbers are normal and clutch in.... turn off everything (AC/car in neutral) then whats it read?

holds steady between 7-9 in neutral idle

What should the numbers be? I try searching but everybody has diffrent answers.

[Videlov]

When the car is idle it should be at 18-20 in. Hg and max boost you should be getting is 10 psi for a stock car.

Oh yeah and turn the A/C off if it was on... You will get a little difference with the A/C on but not that big. You probably have a boost leak somewhere.

[JWMGT90]

When the car is idle it should be at 18-20 in. Hg and max boost you should be getting is 10 psi for a stock car.

Oh yeah and turn the A/C off if it was on... You will get a little difference with the A/C on but not that big. You probably have a boost leak somewhere.

Would a boost leak affect the Hg readings?

[highPSI-S4]

Would a boost leak affect the Hg readings?

Yes, Do you have a boost leak tester? If not try and see who is near you that might be able to help you out.

[JWMGT90]

Yes I do have one I will test it.

What sould the stock readings be so I know?
From what I read it should be

18-21 Hg
9-11 Boost?

[csre9]

Yes I do have one I will test it.

What sould the stock readings be so I know?
From what I read it should be

18-21 Hg
9-11 Boost?

Yes sir

[AudiSportB5S4]

make sure you only pressure test to 15 ish PSI. dont put more than that in the system, remove the oil cap! and cap off the PCV, just follow AWE's instructions :)

[JackalS4]

You should indeed do a boost leak test, but I wouldn't be surprised at all if you have a bad EGT looking at your boost #'s. No check engine light and limits your boost to 5-7 PSI instead of the normal 8-10 PSI (limp mode).

I got my EGT replaced after a scan showed it as a code and the car pulls much harder, nicer, smoother and does it everytime.

The reason I mention it is because I thought my car was totally fine, but then found out it was only logging 6.5 PSI....wouldn't hurt to check for codes and rule out the EGT's as culprits...or whatever else might be there if anything.

Oh, and ensure that all your boost gauge connections are tight and unkinked.

Good luck.

[RuS4ty]

Elevation also plays a large factor in this. Warm idle here in Montana is 15-16 inHg while back in Virginia it is around 19-20 inHg.

[JWMGT90]

Elevation also plays a large factor in this. Warm idle here in Montana is 15-16 inHg while back in Virginia it is around 19-20 inHg.

What do you boost at?

[KryptoniK01]

Startup/Idle 15-16 vac
Warm Idle 16-17 vac
2k RPM cruise 19-20 vac

I get the same readings on my AWE gauge.

[JWMGT90]

I get the same readings on my AWE gauge.

What do you boost at?

[KryptoniK01]

What do you boost at?

Stock - about 8 psi
93oct - spike 17, hold 14-15

[Videlov]

Stock - about 8 psi
93oct - spike 17, hold 14-15

Note that he is not stock.

Mine spikes at 20 psi and holds steady at about 17...

[JWMGT90]

Does this sound like soft limp mode? Throwing a code with NO CEL?

I get up to 7psi it drops right to 5 and just stay's right on that number without any fluctuation in the needle at all?

It seems like the 5 is ECU regulated to me I am just wondering if this is what happens? Thanks

[JackalS4]

Does this sound like soft limp mode? Throwing a code with NO CEL?

I get up to 7psi it drops right to 5 and just stay's right on that number without any fluctuation in the needle at all?

It seems like the 5 is ECU regulated to me I am just wondering if this is what happens? Thanks

I would guess soft, or even hard limp mode due to a code.

My stupid EGT caused my limp mode for 6+ months and never gave me code without VAG'ing it, so get yours hooked up and rule that out, wouldn't be surprised to see an EGT there or something else.

[OldYella]

I dont think realistically you'll ever see 10psi of boost. I think that was some number concocted by Motor trend or whatever mag originally tested the car. I saw 8 all day stock on my VDO gauge and the car was in great shape. I just dont think 10 is realistic. I dont know about your Hg readings but they seem a bit low. By low i mean i hit areoun 24Hg when coasting on the street.

Andy

[GunSupplier]

Thread resurrection!

I also recently put in an AWE gauge. My 2000 S4 (Tip) spikes at about 6.5psi and then settles to 5psi flat. Vacuum at warm idle is 20-22Hg. When cruising around off the gas, vacuum is 25-26Hg. The car runs strong, boost comes fast, and there are absolutely no odd sounds that would indicate bad DVs or anything. I just can't imagine the car being in "limp" mode, and still running this well. I don't have a VAG-COM, so I can't scan. I guess I should get one. (yeah yeah, I know. How dare I even post without owning a VAG-COM)

Note: I've never driven an S that's in "limp." For all I know, I could be in limp right now!

Is my EGT suspect like above? I mean, I've heard 7-9 is perfectly normal, so I'm not miles off. I suppose I need to do a pressure test, but my vacuum readings are absolutely picture perfect, so I figured I was good to go...?

[WMi_S4]

Thread resurrection!

I also recently put in an AWE gauge. My 2000 S4 (Tip) spikes at about 6.5psi and then settles to 5psi flat. Vacuum at warm idle is 20-22Hg. When cruising around off the gas, vacuum is 25-26Hg. The car runs strong, boost comes fast, and there are absolutely no odd sounds that would indicate bad DVs or anything. I just can't imagine the car being in "limp" mode, and still running this well. I don't have a VAG-COM, so I can't scan. I guess I should get one. (yeah yeah, I know. How dare I even post without owning a VAG-COM)

Note: I've never driven an S that's in "limp." For all I know, I could be in limp right now!

Is my EGT suspect like above? I mean, I've heard 7-9 is perfectly normal, so I'm not miles off. I suppose I need to do a pressure test, but my vacuum readings are absolutely picture perfect, so I figured I was good to go...?

Yea dude, ur vac levels are fine, idle should be 20mmHg.....sounds like a small ride/tear.....easiest hoses to check first are TBB and Fhose, im guessing a SMALL tear in the TBB

[00s4slvr]

tiptronics dont have F hoses.

[Blue_S4]

bad EGTs possibly...

[JayyyyyC]

Yo wtf? All I have is a turbo-back catless exhaust setup, and I max 10psi and hold 10. No chip.

[WMi_S4]

tiptronics dont have F hoses.

Damn, did not know that.....

[jblinga]

I just installed mine...01.5 6 spd

I live in salt lake so elevation is around 4300

My vaccum @ idle went to 15hg, boost in 1st-3rd came up slow and maxed around 9lbs. In 5th-6th boost climbs quickly and maxes around 14-15lbs(I guess my car is chipped, I've only had it for 4 months and I didn't get to talk to the original owner so I wasn't able to get all the details on it)

Based on what I've read that is not normal for a chipped ecu so I should vag and boost leak test now right gents???

TIA!!