Sucking or Blowing...?
Thread Starter
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 31
Likes: 10
From: Raleigh, NC
Sucking or Blowing...?
...sorry, just 7.3 issues. I'm looking for a little direction. E99 stock 7.3 except for 4" exhaust and PHP Hydra, 186k miles. I keep it in 40 hp daily driver just for a touch of extra bump. When giving pedal and creating a little load, there is an air sound that is either sucking or blowing. It sounds like the air coming from a yard irrigation system prior to the water showing up. I have no boost gauge but it seems boost may not be building completely but it isn't bogging down. When throwing some pedal in N, it seems that over 2k rpm it kind of levels off like it has a rev limiter. I have never noticed this in the past but really don't know that I've tested that previously.
There was no bang like a boot blowing off today when it started. I've visually looked at the boots, some having residual oil, but none showing clamp or attachment issues. Up pipes are original and for my truck nothing looks out of the ordinary there. No check engine light. Visually, nothing looks our of place.
Any suggestions of an obvious spot to look would be appreciated.
There was no bang like a boot blowing off today when it started. I've visually looked at the boots, some having residual oil, but none showing clamp or attachment issues. Up pipes are original and for my truck nothing looks out of the ordinary there. No check engine light. Visually, nothing looks our of place.
Any suggestions of an obvious spot to look would be appreciated.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,106
Likes: 154
From: Kansas City KS
Is it your ebpv? It will dump boost until you step on the go pedal enough to cause it to close. Once your eot is high enough it stays closed. The fact that you say irrigation sound. You are hearing a boost leak. Plenum or plenum boot?
Ive had upipe leaks and you or at least i couldnt hear them. My thinking is your boost leak is ebpv or on the intake side of the turbo.
Ive had upipe leaks and you or at least i couldnt hear them. My thinking is your boost leak is ebpv or on the intake side of the turbo.
Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 10,750
Likes: 1,065
From: Douglassville, PA
Build yourself a boost leak detector out of a 4" PVC end cap and add a shrader valve to it. Then add air and see if you can find it. There is a lot of info on how to make one if you search it and it should be in the tech folder as well. It's easy to make and use. Also could be EBPV. Does it do it all the time or only when cold? Does it sound kind of like a jet engine or more like a squealing whistle?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,106
Likes: 154
From: Kansas City KS
Its worth a try to disconnect the ebpv plug. Or disconnecting the clip at the ebpv actuator rod. And manually make sure the valve is open. You can wire it (ziip ties melt here) open. You definitely need to inspect the actuator rod to see if its attached to the flap itself.
When i had a operating ebpv i would hear the hiss of it dumping boost. But what i really noticed most was the moment it stoped. Like a leaky compressor air hose that shuts off. A working functioning ebpv opens and closes while its warming up. So you hear this cycle.
Yours could be loose as in clip disconnected. And its doing as it pleases.
Ssj writeup on deleting ebpv and modding the pedestal has some great photos of the flap. Im not saying you need to delete yours. It has good photos of the system.
When i had a operating ebpv i would hear the hiss of it dumping boost. But what i really noticed most was the moment it stoped. Like a leaky compressor air hose that shuts off. A working functioning ebpv opens and closes while its warming up. So you hear this cycle.
Yours could be loose as in clip disconnected. And its doing as it pleases.
Ssj writeup on deleting ebpv and modding the pedestal has some great photos of the flap. Im not saying you need to delete yours. It has good photos of the system.
Thread Starter
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 31
Likes: 10
From: Raleigh, NC
Thanks all! I have a few things to look at and consider when I get the time. It isn’t a daily driver so not a huge rush.
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Hotshot
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 10,750
Likes: 1,065
From: Douglassville, PA
Maybe I'm missing something here. It wouldn't be the first time. I don't think the EBPV dumps boost, I believe that it closes at a certain temp when the engine is cold to build back pressure and help the engine warm faster. The waste gate is what dumps boost over certain boost levels and I think it's to prevent turbo overspinning itself into destruction.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,106
Likes: 154
From: Kansas City KS
Mark you are probably right. It may not dump boost. My 03 was well maintained. I routinely cleaned the ebp line. I could always tell when the butterfly valve was closed it hissed. And the moment it opened again i could hear it. Like opening a beverage. But i always thought it sounded like a dump. I havent been as meticulous with my 01. And i deleted my dd van.
I dont really notice it in my 01, but its alot louder anyway. And my hearing isnt as good now.
I dont really notice it in my 01, but its alot louder anyway. And my hearing isnt as good now.
Thread Starter
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 31
Likes: 10
From: Raleigh, NC
I guess now it is blowing. I took the advise from Walleye Hunter (thank you!) and made a boost leak detector. I found a little air escape from one of the CAC upper boots but a significant air escape from one of the plenum boots. I jumped the gun and ordered new upper boots from RR yesterday. Last evening I got a better look and found the larger air escape from the plenum boot. I'm no mechanic by any means but can handle some bolt on / off procedures. I was previously successful with changing the water pump on my truck maybe 20k miles ago and still no leaks so that is a win. Is this a reasonably easy bolt on / bolt off procedure and don't drop anything in the holes deal?? My preference would be to pay a professional but I haven't found that person in the Raleigh, NC area yet. I'd prefer to not go to a dealer to be bent over. Any thoughts on skill level for this fix or a solid referral in my area??
Lead Driver
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 6,867
Likes: 2,338
From: WV
It’s not a bad job. A normal wrench turner should be able to handle without issue. Just be sure NOTHING falls into the plenum. A guy had that happen and it was a bad outcome. I put rubber gloves or similar over the holes as soon as the boot comes off.
You may want to order a new spyder oring since you’ll have that off.
Speaking of that, be sure to get the clamp aligned on the spyder well before tightening down.
You may want to order a new spyder oring since you’ll have that off.
Speaking of that, be sure to get the clamp aligned on the spyder well before tightening down.
It's a Van Gogh
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 7,819
Likes: 1,336
From: Elk Grove, CA
With the spider off I'd get new boots plus plenum reinforcers so you can use T bolts on the boots. Way better grip than the OE worm clamps. Call Clay a Riff Raff and he'll get all the right parts together.
Thread Starter
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 31
Likes: 10
From: Raleigh, NC
Thank you all for the pointers. Upper boots came today but are of no use until I get the others ordered. RR doesn't take calls on Friday's so I will try them on Monday. He was out of the upper CAC boot clamps but gave a pointer to use the stock clamps. I plan to see if he has the good clamps for the plenum boots prior to ordering online. I want this to be a smooth process if I try to do on my own.
Thread Starter
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5th Wheeling
Joined: Feb 2019
Posts: 31
Likes: 10
From: Raleigh, NC
Follow up - Overall this wasn't too bad of a project for a rookie. All new boots, clamps, plenum inserts, and HPX from Riffraff Diesel. When removing the spider, I found the clamps loose on the plenum boot that was leaking. While I'm wondering if a simple tightening would have fixed the issue, I'm glad to have everything updated. The HPX was impressive as I really feel the idle is smoother and the engine does not seem as loud. I took a quick test drive and the issue seems to be fixed. My only worry is the T Bold Clamps I purchased off Amazon since Clay happened to be out of them. They were a similar price point but I have no idea about the quality. I will push the truck a little harder next time I have it out to build a little confidence that a boot isn't going to pop off. I'd really hate to go through this job on the side of the road! I appreciate all the direction given.
