home made boost leak detector

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Apr 25, 2007 | 02:33 PM

Mike F250

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Laughing Gas

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From: Williamston, MI

home made boost leak detector

I've been searching for a while now and cannot locate and pics or instructions on how to make a boost leak detector. From the pic on dieselsite and someone's suggestion to use pvc, it looks pretty simple.
Any one have pics of one they made? lessons learned?

Any reason I should not use a schrader valve other than less airflow?

Apr 25, 2007 | 02:42 PM

Tenn01PSD350

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From: Middle Tennessee

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike F250

It looks way easy to make. The gauge can be bought at Wally, one for a compressor, dirt cheap. As for the schrader, just pull the guts out and put the chuck to it. I will be making one one day just for the halibut. I will go to Lowes for everything else as they have everthing else needed..

Apr 25, 2007 | 06:52 PM

cookie88

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From: Cabot, Arkansas

It is as easy as it looks. One minor hang-up I had was I used a reducer hose for RV plumbing, which is larger than the 4" marked on it, so it has to be clamped down very tight to hold. Other than that it works great.

Apr 25, 2007 | 06:56 PM

Tenn01PSD350

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From: Middle Tennessee

That's even simpler Scott. I assume you just use the compressor gauge and valve. After thinking about it, who needs one on the unit anyway? We're looking/listening for a leak.

Apr 25, 2007 | 07:00 PM

cookie88

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From: Cabot, Arkansas

Yep. I just crank the regulator on the tank down to about 40 psi and let 'er rip. If there are system leaks they become obvious almost instantly.

Apr 25, 2007 | 09:53 PM

jtharvey

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From: Columbia, MO

Does the engine hold the air, or will some of it leak out past some valves, possibly spinning a dry turbo?

Apr 25, 2007 | 09:58 PM

cookie88

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From: Cabot, Arkansas

It holds it. Can't leave the test valve open for more than a few seconds as all the boots start to swell.

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Apr 25, 2007 | 10:17 PM

jtharvey

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From: Columbia, MO

I just thought if you happened to catch a cylinder when there was some overlap in the intake valve opening and the exhaust valve closing, you might get some air past. But, I don't know the cam grind on our trucks either and if there's much overlap at all.

Apr 25, 2007 | 10:22 PM

#10

Tenn01PSD350

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From: Middle Tennessee

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtharvey

. But, I don't know the cam grind on our trucks either and if there's much overlap at all.

Seems nobody knows this but it seems that all agree there is no money to be made grinding a new one as I have yet to see one. Anyone?

Apr 25, 2007 | 10:31 PM

#11

bdrummonds

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From: Millbrook Alabama

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tenn01PSD350

Seems nobody knows this but it seems that all agree there is no money to be made grinding a new one as I have yet to see one. Anyone?

I read somebody over on TDS had experimented with a different cam but the outcome was not nearly as good as the stocker.

Apr 25, 2007 | 10:47 PM

#12

jtharvey

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From: Columbia, MO

Nothing seems to work yet. Several grinds have been tried, but like BD said, nothing has seemed to work as well as the stocker.

Apr 25, 2007 | 10:53 PM

#13

luvemhot

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Joined: Dec 2005

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From: Idaho City Idaho

Bought all the stuff to make mine the other day and my taps are not big enough. gong to stop and get a bigger one tomarrow on my way home from work.
Keith

Apr 26, 2007 | 07:41 AM

#14

Mike F250

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From: Williamston, MI

Wow, very simple! Thanks Scott! I never thought about using my boost guage instead of buying another pressure guage for the tester.
The comments/questions in regard to valves and boost going through other places... I had thought about that too. I guess teh best way to learn is to do it.
Thanks for the input

Apr 26, 2007 | 08:30 AM

#15

Tenn01PSD350

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From: Middle Tennessee

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike F250

Wow, very simple! Thanks Scott! I never thought about using my boost guage instead of buying another pressure guage for the tester.

I believe he was talking about the gauge on the pressure regulator on the actual compressor but I suppose someone could watch the vehicle boost gauge too. I wouldn't want to jam 80 PSI in there accidentally.