I can hear a boost leak!

[declasm]

Took my FD out for a drive last night and was very disappointed to find my car a lot less scary than normal with a very loud "whoosh" sound when I should be getting lots of boost instead - max 0.7 - 0.8 on the PFC when normally I\'d be getting >0.9 and getting it quicker
I \'ve read quite a few posts around boost leaks and an audible leak would normally point to a split y-pipe connector - does anyone have any more anecdotal evidence on that diagnosis and how easy is it to get to / check the connector itself?

[nuki]

i had a split intercooler pipe which was right underneath on the rubber and hard to see or feel. but that was my problem when i had a whooshing noise

[Bobbit]

Yep, nuki said y-pipe coupler is often the culprit, follow the I/c back towards the engine on the left side, the 1st connection is usually split or has worked loose (usually at the bottom so it\'s a bugger to spot). Just whip the I/c out and check the connections, takes about 30mins max 1st time
Rob

[declasm]

had a quick look at the y-pipe coupler last night and couldn\'t see anything obvious but I ran out of light and couldn\'t check any more. I drove the car about 60 miles today and the leak gradually got worse and worse! anymore ideas to speed up diagnosis?

[jackaleks]

turn the engine on, spray a load of carb cleaner around the y-pipe and give the throttle cable a gentle pull. you should see if the mist created by the carb cleaner is disturbed by a leaky connector

[declasm]

That\'s the kind of useful advice I\'m after - I\'ll give it a go this weekend and see what happens - if it\'s not that straightforward I\'ll just whip out the I/C and pipes and give them a thorough going over - any gotchas? Also where\'s the best place to get replacement pipes?

[Bobbit]

Doubt the carb clearner will work, if there is no load on the engine, boost will not build enough to cause the leak. The only way to be sure is unfortunatly taking all the connectors off and checking for splits etc

[nuki]

Well to be honest mate... u have got a boost leak... start at the intercooler piping. Like i said my intercooler hose had split right underneath and was hard for me to spot and i ended up doing the Rats nest vacuum hosing trying to find the issue. My issue was that i didn’t look hard enough on the most obvious piping.

[REVIT93RX7]

Maybe try a stethescope and listen around all the IC connections.

[declasm]

right found it - actually in the light it was pretty easy to find - it\'s on the lower I/C pipe



anyone sort me out with one - or even better a set of hard pipes?

[Bobbit]

I\'ll have a dig around in the garage tomorrow bud, might have one

[declasm]

Not to worry -ordered myself a couple of silicone replacements now. I want my boost back asap!