Hunting for the boost leak found a bad PCV

[treysgreen]

So the PCV that attached to my turbo inlet hose was removed while I hooked up my leak tester. When I took it off a bunch of old black pieces fell out of it so I assume its bad. I can easily blow into both sides. No resistance. I finished the leak test and tightened up the hose leading from my intercooler to the T below the DV where I had a slight hiss. So, no more hissing, get everything back together and I'm STILL not getting over 10psi. Is the bad PCV the issue? I couldnt hear any other leaks with the tester on but my car should be putting out 18psi like it was before. Halp!

[old guy]

First of all you have a PCV and a PRV. The PCV valve is located underneath the intake manifold just above the oil filter housing. On an '02 the vacuum flows from the PCV through the SJP and ultimately connects to the intake manifold.

Then you have a PRV (aka: puck valve or Pressure Regulating Valve) that plugs into the TIP and ultimately connects to the back of the valve cover. The PRV will pass air in both directions.

When you pressurize the TIP you are pressurizing the DV from both sides so the boost leak test will not tell you if you have a torn diaphragm.

After you perform a boost leak test you need to take an air nozzle and apply pressure to each vacuum hose that connects to your intake manifold and see if any of them allow any air flow. If they do you will need to find the defective component on that particular line.

What tune are you running?

[treysgreen]

Excellent info OG. Thank you. The tune is United Motorsports Stage 1. I was told it should be boosting around 14-16 but when I first got it I was boosting 16-18 without any overboost conditions. I should probably check requested vs actual and see whats up there as well. Another thing I thought may be an issue is the orientation of my DV. I have the forge splitter valve installed and it is in an upright orientation. I currently do not have the block off plate installed so it doesnt vent to atmosphere. I am ordering a block off plate to have as close to stock as possible setup to investigate on. I was thinking that if the orientation of the DV was backward and it was pressing the valve open at a certain PSI then the vent to atmosphere would be the leak. Your thoughts on my current setup and what could be causing the issue now that you have a bit more insight?