[s-cars] Checking for air leaks on induction side

Tony Guttmann T.Guttmann at ms.unimelb.edu.au
Mon Aug 1 16:14:23 EDT 2005


In pursuit of more power, I'm trying to ensure that my system is leak
free, and I need help on what constitutes leak free here. 

I've replaced the by-pass (dump) valve with a new Forge. I have a
new RS2 turbo and EM, and Samco hoses everywhere. I can pressurise the system
with a little adaptor I've made up in two different ways. A bicycle (track)
pump, which is high pressure but low volume, and a garage compressor which
is high pressure, high volume.

There is definitely some pressure loss through the turbo. If I
plug the rubber accordion hose both where it goes into the turbo, and also where
it goes into the cylinder head, I can "blow up" the corrugated hose as
I pump air in with my bicycle pump. (This shows that the accordion hose is leak
free). I cannot do this with the hose connected
to the turbo. In that situation it holds some pressure, but not to nearly the
same extent. That is to say, I can keep pumping with the bicycle pump without
pressure build-up to the extent that it visibly swells the hose.

With a compressor, as distinct from a bicycle pump, this process fairly
quickly blows air out of the oil filler cap, though it stops leaking out
 below a certain pressure, and the whole system holds positive pressure 
for a 3 min. interval (demonstrated by a gush of air if I release the
oil filler cap). Does that satisfy the criterion of "leak free"?

What else should I test?

Thanks,

Tony G.


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