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So i blew a boot the other day, wasb;t even doing anything that crazy, but there it went!
I am sure i have other boost related issues, i am going to build a boost leak detector and wanted to check for any tips some of you may have learned
A little bit of 1 x 8 was left over from a shelving project. Used the CCV intake housing as a template. 2 minutes with a jigsaw. Drilled a hole and viola.
I’ve used it a few times now and it’s never popped out, dial compressor down to 15lbs regulated pressure and go to town with soapy water.
I may need to try that. My pvc one keeps blowing out. I even put duct tape around the edges to give it some grip. I swear it will scare the 💩 out of you and come off with some serious velocity too. Got so frustrated I was just looking at buying the KC one. This may be the solution... 🤷🏻♂️
The part I don’t get is why the gauge, and the 1/4 turn ball valve? Fancy bling, but useless in my opinion.
Having a gauge is very useful to avoid over pressurizing or compromising a seal.
A gauge is also instructive as to when leaks become apparent. Some leaks manifest at higher pressures than others, so a gauge helps stair step a more refined diagnosis of potential issues.
However, the gauge location / face orientation in the example boost leak detector / tester in the commercial photo above is unsafe.
Here’s the one I built recently. 3” pipe cap… regulator didn’t work so great so I just turned the pressure on my compressor down to 20psi. Helped me find a leaking plenum—oh boy that’s another story!
If you use PVC end caps for your tester take some 60 grit sand paper and rough it up so the rubber boot will have something to bite onto.
Reread that carefully, I didn't say to sand it, which implies a smooth surface. You want to intentionally scour and leave small gouges on the PVC from the large grit paper
Where does one have to put their face in order to look at this gauge?
Directly into the trajectory of the metal boost leak detector unexpectedly flying off.
Gorgeous piece. Clean design. Beautiful photo.
Dumb idea.
It is viewable from an angle, not like we need an exact reading for detail work. I have one and have used it for several years, as recently as Friday. Never had a single issue, or safety concern.
It is viewable from an angle, not like we need an exact reading for detail work. I have one and have used it for several years, as recently as Friday. Never had a single issue, or safety concern.
Viewability from an angle depends on age, height, acuity of vision, resolution of the gauge dial, and the hope that the angle chosen to view is not the same angle that cap spontaneously blows off toward.
If one part of the circumference of the boot that wraps the cap is the initiation point of pressure release, then there is a strong possibility that the cap will blow off with a tumble or an offset from a perfectly straight vector following the direction of the casting it is clamped to.
Hard to say which way she'll blow, as it happens quite rapidly... near instantaneously in fact.
A member posted a video of a boost leak test cap blowing off some years back... it was quite sobering.
That all being said, I've never personally experienced a failure either.
However, one of the greatest benefits of a forum is to be able to learn from the experiences of others.
Originally Posted by The Brad
You have to get the leak detector clamped in tight so it doesn't blow out with the pressure. It'll blow out before you can make enough pressure to hurt anything else. Oh yeah...don't stand in front of the leak detector, it hurts!
Originally Posted by AllaboutMPG
Been there, got that bandaid.
clean the tester cap and the boot your clamping it into with alcohol (isopropyl alcohol really cuts oil and it's cheap) or carb cleaner before assy. at 20psi it's like a potato cannon going off in your face. Fortunately mine just hit my arm
Originally Posted by Firefighter 1406
TO go along with that if it blows out you are probably gonna need to change your pants. Ask me how I know..
Originally Posted by Tugly
More than one member has received harsh treatment from 20 PSI pressure during a leak test - so keep that in mind.
Yea, same if a tire blows when we air it up etc..... Those must be dumb designs too.
I mean, how may Dieselsite leak testers have you heard of failing? I am at zero so far. Have home made ones blown, yup..... Could the design be changed so the gauge is at a easier viewing angle, sure. But it works just fine. Too say it is a dumb design is a bit far.
I'm with Y2K on this one. I'm very glad for those who have never had a tester pop out but can attest to the fact that it can happen. Maybe it happens with PVC more often because of the slick surface, I don't know. But with enough oil or too light of a clamp or misaligned clamp it can happen and would not want to be looking straight at it when it happens. I throw a towel over mine now once I get it aired up because I know I'll get target focused looking for leaks and stick myself right in front of that sucker.
This is my DIY boost leak tester. I use it with an aftermarket 4" boot I bought specifically for testing. Works well, and the gauge is viewable out of the line of projectile sight... The shutoff valve does come in handy having control at your fingertips for testing....
I'm with Y2K on this one. I'm very glad for those who have never had a tester pop out but can attest to the fact that it can happen. Maybe it happens with PVC more often because of the slick surface, I don't know. But with enough oil or too light of a clamp or misaligned clamp it can happen and would not want to be looking straight at it when it happens. I throw a towel over mine now once I get it aired up because I know I'll get target focused looking for leaks and stick myself right in front of that sucker.
Who dumps oil into their leak tester?
The dieselsite aluminum section has a raised lip/ring around its circumference that bites into the 4" boot when clamped, the turbo intake side has a lip boot slides over befor clamped. It isnt going anywhere, it isnt gonna blow off. It is way safer them almost any other homemade setup most guys do. Could the gauge be a different design so that old blind guys can easily see it for overly precise measurments, yea, wont argue there, safety concern...no. I mean scared of that then lean over pressurized pipes, intake manifold, plenums, spraying soapy water to look for leaks that is no better. You could even spill the leak detecting liquid and slip knock off a hood prop and have the hood slam on you head, that seems more dangerous. Come to think of it, these trucks are a huge safety hazerd and should be illegal!
*Please read, understanding lots of sarcasm used, in fun manner* But honstly, the tester is just fine safety wise....
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The shutoff valve does come in handy having control at your fingertips for testing....
