Not my idea, but I thought I'd share the info, seems pretty useful for finding intake leaks!

$30 Home Depot turbo system pressure tester (leak finder)

Tools required:

Air compressor with regulator
Drill
8mm socket and socket wrench
adjustable wrench
1/4" NPT tap

Shopping list for Home Depot:
2.5" - 4" (depending on turbo inlet size) PVC pipe plug
2.5" - 4" ( " " ) hose connection
2.5" - 4" ( " " ) hose clamp
1/8" NPT to air compressor hose connection

Many variations can be done with this setup, but the basic idea is to drill a hole in the PVC pipe plug and tap it for the air compressor hose connection. What matters is the inlet size of the turbocharger. My particular turbo (and most single turbo supras) has a 4 inch inlet, so I used 4" components, but someone with a 16G would use a smaller plug.



You then attach the hose to the PVC plug and use one clamp to secure it in place, and the other to secure the hose to the inlet of the turbocharger.



Turn the pressure on your air compressor pressure regulator down to 20-30 psi, hook up the air hose, and listen/feel for leaks!

 

Hmm. That seems like a pretty schpiffy idea! Have you tried it? Does it work? Are you actually able to hear the air compressor stop compressing if there are no leaks?

 

I wonder how well that would work . I have always wanted to do something like that.

Good find !

James

 

Haven't tried it yet, just thought I'd throw the idea out there for anybody to comment on. I was thinking you'd pressurize the intake, the compressor would shut off so you'd be left with either silence or hissing (leak).

Then I started thinking to verify that the pressure was dropping as a result of the intake path, you could hook up a valve and between the valve and that unit you could install a pressure gauge...then watch the gauge in the engine bay, and listen for leaks.

 

I'm almost scared to do this on mine...(I KNOW I have leaks...hehe).

 

I've done this before on my car. It's not a big deal, as long as you remember to turn the pressure down on the air compressor. It is pretty effective too. It's not that uncommon of a thing actually.

- Steiner

 

In all my time here, I don't believe I've ever seen anyone mention the likes of it. I could be mistaken!

 

15psi is all you need to find leaks.

 

I'm also going to guess this level of pressure isn't going to do any harm to any small items attached.

 

Awesome, and VERY useful idea. Nice!!

5star worthy idea

 

Some people use a small fog machine, or "smoke" machine. I know my uncle has one for vac lines and exaust leaks, can be used in any line really, the advantage to a smoke machine will allow you to see more of where its coming from fairly easy/ against just listening for it. Both work though

 

Smoke machine.....where the hell would get that for cheap?

Could you some how pipe smoke into this pressure system?

Maybe some sort of bong could be used ?

James

 

They've known about that on dsmtalk for a long time... we used it on my friend's dsm about a year ago, works good.