Boost leak?
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 87
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From: Cincinnat, Ohio
Boost leak?
I've had this truck almost a year and previously got a boost gauge to monitor while pulling. Same with vacuum gauge. The vacuum gauge won't read any vacuum what so ever. The boost reads 12lbs max. The only things done to the truck that I know of are a k&n air filter and looks to be a 3.5 inch exhaust all the way behind the tire. I can see one tiny spot on the exhaust with black soot showing its a pin hole. Would that be enough to take away all that boost and not read vacuum? I need help
Logistics Pro
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 3,953
Likes: 120
From: Mcdonough, GA
Hi Burroughs,
Only vacuum on these trucks is from a small pump that creates vacuum to run heat and air plenums as well as ESOF hubs for 4x4.
Boost leaks are common. you'll need to check for leaks at the boots and duct work for the air feeding the turbo. here's a link to a thread on how to build an inexpensive testor.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...k-detctor.html
Do you see any soot around the up pipes from the exhaust manifold, especially at the top were they enter the turbo.
There are other reasons for low boost but this would be a good starting point.
Where is your boost gauge plumbed in?
Have you looked at your turbo compressor wheel? Pull the intake off and you can clearly see it? It's very important to feed these engines clean air. If dust and dirt get by your filter it can erode or damage the turbo wheel.
Is that K&N the kind you oil? Not really a prefered filter. May want to look at other options.
Only vacuum on these trucks is from a small pump that creates vacuum to run heat and air plenums as well as ESOF hubs for 4x4.
Boost leaks are common. you'll need to check for leaks at the boots and duct work for the air feeding the turbo. here's a link to a thread on how to build an inexpensive testor.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...k-detctor.html
Do you see any soot around the up pipes from the exhaust manifold, especially at the top were they enter the turbo.
There are other reasons for low boost but this would be a good starting point.
Where is your boost gauge plumbed in?
Have you looked at your turbo compressor wheel? Pull the intake off and you can clearly see it? It's very important to feed these engines clean air. If dust and dirt get by your filter it can erode or damage the turbo wheel.
Is that K&N the kind you oil? Not really a prefered filter. May want to look at other options.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 123
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From: Thousand Oaks, CA
So, sort of related to the OP, I recently got TransCommand app to work, and display boost pressure on my 02 7.3, and I get a max of about 15 psi on a completely stock truck. This is not towing anything, just standing on the "gas" pedal.
Does that sound normal?
Curt
Does that sound normal?
Curt
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 87
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From: Cincinnat, Ohio
Compressor wheel is solid with no shaft play and the intake was ripped, so I put a new one on it and have yet to test it. Will let you know tomorrow if this solved the problem. If not I alsk checked my entire exhaust (as well as I could with it being on the truck) Thanks everyone!
Lead Driver
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,760
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From: Hampton, Maryland.
Curt, 15 may be a couple of LBS (1-2 literally) low, but that is at most. I have not heard of too many stock trucks that see above 17LBS. You may have some leaking up-pipes contributing a little, and if your truck is truly stock, I would be stunned for you to find non-leaking uppies at this point.
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 123
Likes: 0
From: Thousand Oaks, CA
Jason,
Thanks for the info. I had no idea if I was even in the ballpark of "normal" on this. So, up pipes are in my future? My truck has about 150k on it.
Thanks again,
Curt
Thanks for the info. I had no idea if I was even in the ballpark of "normal" on this. So, up pipes are in my future? My truck has about 150k on it.
Thanks again,
Curt
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Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: NorCal
Look for soot on the firewall behind the collector. This is a sign they are leaking.
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2014
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From: Cincinnat, Ohio
Didn't help
Since I fixed the intake piping it still only runs on 12 lbs.. All the boots for inter cooler are tight. It has to be the up pipe. How often should the headers be replaced? My truck has 273,000 miles
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,080
Likes: 10
Bellowed IH as stated are the way to go if you need them.
The boost pressure on a stock unit (unmodified) is 13-17 PSIG.
Is the Wastegate opening? or is it just not making the boost?
If it's the Wastegate, often a simple pressure test to the canister will identify its health.
The boost pressure on a stock unit (unmodified) is 13-17 PSIG.
Is the Wastegate opening? or is it just not making the boost?
If it's the Wastegate, often a simple pressure test to the canister will identify its health.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,215
Likes: 2
From: North Lake Tahoe
I would also consider on getting that K&N out of there. Not that that is your problem just a bad choice of air cleaner for these motors.
This is what a K&N did to my turbo wheel and then that filter hit the trash can pretty hard.
This is what a K&N did to my turbo wheel and then that filter hit the trash can pretty hard.
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 87
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From: Cincinnat, Ohio
Does anyone have a good link to find that downpipe? Also yes changing my air filter after seeing that picture. My friend has a 4inch exhaust that I can get pretty cheap, so I'd like to get a downpipe to work for the 4 inch. Thansj to everyone for the help. I'm new to this site and still figuring it out!
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 435
Likes: 2
From: Bloomfield, NM
I had a similar but much worse problem. my rig was peaking a t 7.5lbs WOT haha all it took was some mouse milk on the actuator rod and moving the waste gate with some shop air a couple times and boom!! 20-24lbs on my handy dandy boost gauge the next time I drove it. it's amazing what a little oil in the right place can do haha
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Junior User
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 87
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From: Cincinnat, Ohio
I had a similar but much worse problem. my rig was peaking a t 7.5lbs WOT haha all it took was some mouse milk on the actuator rod and moving the waste gate with some shop air a couple times and boom!! 20-24lbs on my handy dandy boost gauge the next time I drove it. it's amazing what a little oil in the right place can do haha
Where can I find this mouse milk and kind of just dumb it down a little for the newbie in the room. I'm perfectly inclined to work on naturally aspirated gas motors... But I'm still new to diesels and turbos. Haha I know where my wastegate is but what is the actuator and how do I move it with air?