Has anyone had any success in finding boost leaks by spraying soapy water?

[AudiTunes]

I saw a few youtube video of guys using soap and water that is sprayed on hoses to find boost leaks and it seems successful (bubbles show up if you are positive for boost leaks)

[BenMTL]

Isn't that much harder than doing a smoke test? I sometimes just use saliva but for small things because you can only watch 1 place at a time (the bubbles might be small).

A smoke test (in theory) can help you find even a small boost leak very quickly and I've seen it done without the car being on.

I've already seen aersol cans of colored smoke if I remember correctly that were used (while car was running) and it looked super easy....Anyone know of any products like that to easily find boost leaks or am I thinking of something totally different? Because if its cheap enough, I'd be interested to see if I have any boost/vacuum leaks myself...

[leftovers]

I haven't used one of these before, but I'm curious if the smoke is thick enough to help.

http://www.amazon.com/Safeguard-25S-.../dp/B001MYM7EK

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGIazwYowTg (fast forward to 2:30)

[mec]

I sometimes use a soapy solution. Spray it on the connections, but the thing is that you need the intake pressurized first so air that seeps out makes bubbles

[Jake@JHM]

You will want to buy/make a boost leak tester or have a shop capable look at it.

[marlboro]

I sometimes use a soapy solution. Spray it on the connections, but the thing is that you need the intake pressurized first so air that seeps out makes bubbles

And? Have you been always successful using this method or it's a hit and miss thing?

[mec]

And? Have you been always successful using this method or it's a hit and miss thing?

its successful...I mean its not needed...

YOu pressurize the intake, if there is a leak pressure will drop, the compressor will stay on to fill that drop, so you know there is a leak, then you just listen for hissing and you're done. But if you are deaf, soap is a good alternative.

Honestly, tiny boost leaks aren't a huge concern, when you are missing 5psi and up, its not a little slit in a vacuum hose, its a full out quarter size hole in your manifold or piping.

[challenger]

I have been having trouble with a boost leak for awhile now and i am not sure how to go about this because the only time it would leak is at higher rpms and would slowly fall in boost from 20psi to 10psi at redline. Also, after a few times of beating on the car back to back on the highway i would lose boost completely for a few minutes then it would come back. Anyone have this problem and solved it?

[allstock]

its successful...I mean its not needed...

YOu pressurize the intake, if there is a leak pressure will drop, the compressor will stay on to fill that drop, so you know there is a leak, then you just listen for hissing and you're done. But if you are deaf, soap is a good alternative.

Honestly, tiny boost leaks aren't a huge concern, when you are missing 5psi and up, its not a little slit in a vacuum hose, its a full out quarter size hole in your manifold or piping.

How much pressure is usually adequate? If the compressor is continuously staying on, doesn't that mean you've got a huge leak? I guess it might depend on the compressor. Thx

[AudiTunes]

its successful...I mean its not needed...

YOu pressurize the intake, if there is a leak pressure will drop, the compressor will stay on to fill that drop, so you know there is a leak, then you just listen for hissing and you're done. But if you are deaf, soap is a good alternative.

Honestly, tiny boost leaks aren't a huge concern, when you are missing 5psi and up, its not a little slit in a vacuum hose, its a full out quarter size hole in your manifold or piping.

Yeah, I'm missing 5 psi from the stage 1 tune. Is it also true you can lose boost because of wastegate adjustment problems? I just can't seem to spike past 15, the highest I managed to spike my boost today was 15.3 psi.

I'm probably just going to take it to a shop then since I'm missing 5 psi!

How much does it usually cost to have a shop professionally look at a car thoroughly for boost issues?

[mec]

How much pressure is usually adequate? If the compressor is continuously staying on, doesn't that mean you've got a huge leak? I guess it might depend on the compressor. Thx

My tune is for 30 psi, but i usually only test to 20 psi, honestly anything that is leaking will be leaking at 20 psi.

Yeah, I'm missing 5 psi from the stage 1 tune. Is it also true you can lose boost because of wastegate adjustment problems? I just can't seem to spike past 15, the highest I managed to spike my boost today was 15.3 psi.

I'm probably just going to take it to a shop then since I'm missing 5 psi!

How much does it usually cost to have a shop professionally look at a car thoroughly for boost issues?

Could be a million things, could be the tune, could be wastegate, could be dv. First thing is the check codes, then boost leak test, then you start looking at wastegate.

Cost totally depends on shop.