3rd Generation Specific (1993-2002) 1993-2002 Discussion including performance modifications and Technical Support Sections.
Sponsored by:

Intermittent boost leak: passing BOV?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 08-18-08, 10:29 AM
  #1  
outside agitator
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
koolmoe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Vancouver Canada
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Intermittent boost leak: passing BOV?

When boosting under the primary only I almost always get a significant boost leak (constant and loud whooshing noise). Sometimes it's not there.

A little bit after the secondary kicks in, the leak stops and I get full glorious boost.

I think the most likely culprit is bad vacuum to the BOV. Unfortunately the car will be off the road for a while because I need to do a government inspection (lame).

Thoughts?
Old 08-18-08, 02:45 PM
  #2  
Rotary Enthusiast

iTrader: (4)
 
Ernesto13B's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: California
Posts: 1,114
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I know exactly what your talking about the loud constant "whooshing" sound and no power at all? I had the same problem, turned out it was an air pipe left loose when a body shop did some work on my vehicle, and I was the one who found out what the problem was and who fixed it too because they could't figure it out
Old 08-18-08, 02:52 PM
  #3  
outside agitator
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
koolmoe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Vancouver Canada
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
an "air pipe"? Please elaborate.
Old 08-18-08, 03:03 PM
  #4  
apeiron

iTrader: (2)
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Boulder, CO
Posts: 1,773
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
If the system is not pressurizing properly, the BOV's will not shut because the internal pressure is too low. That is why it only closes when you get on it because the engine is under a higher load which in turn increases internal pressure. So his reference of a loose air pipe can apply to any instance in which you may have a vacuum leak present.

Do you have a boost gauge, what is your vacuum?
Old 08-18-08, 10:39 PM
  #5  
needs more track time

iTrader: (16)
 
gracer7-rx7's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Bay Area CA
Posts: 9,256
Received 550 Likes on 371 Posts
Check the rubber lines going from the turbo / Y pipe to the BOV things. Over time, those hoses get hard and split open. Also check your intercooler couplings. The FAQ thread stickied in this forum has a link to a site with all the troubleshooting procedures you could ever need for the stock turbos. Go there and read up on it.
Old 08-19-08, 10:00 AM
  #6  
outside agitator
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
koolmoe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Vancouver Canada
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
thanks for the info
Old 08-19-08, 10:12 AM
  #7  
Mr. Links

iTrader: (1)
 
Mahjik's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Kansas City, MO
Posts: 27,595
Received 41 Likes on 26 Posts
If you are getting full boost on secondary, then your BOV is most likely just fine. I would take a look at the Charge Control system and verify it's working properly. If it's sticking and not closing all the way, it will allow some of your primary boost to vent off during the first part of the boost pattern.

http://www.autosportracetech.com/RX-...erOverview.htm
Old 08-20-08, 03:47 PM
  #8  
Rotary Enthusiast

iTrader: (4)
 
Ernesto13B's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: California
Posts: 1,114
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
what I mean by air pipe, is the upper intercooler piping. It was left loose during some work they had done, and I reconneted it, and the whooshing sound was gone, and there was full power once again. If I were you I would check and make sure all of your Intake hoses are connected properly to the air box, and intercooler piping etc. This is the simplest way to start diagnosing since it doesnt requre removing anything to "check" these air hoses.
Old 09-23-08, 03:09 PM
  #9  
outside agitator
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
koolmoe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Vancouver Canada
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Update:

At idle i have 19.7 in/Hg of vacuum (good)

Boost pattern (according to PFC): 3.3-2.3-4.3 psi (This is not good)

I'm a little skeptical about the PFC boost reading; the car feels so damn fast! How can boost be so low!?!

Anyway, if that boost pattern is correct I think that rules out the Charge Control. Must have a leak Y-pipe forward... ?

Last edited by koolmoe; 09-23-08 at 03:23 PM.
Old 09-23-08, 04:02 PM
  #10  
Mr. Links

iTrader: (1)
 
Mahjik's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Kansas City, MO
Posts: 27,595
Received 41 Likes on 26 Posts
I would get a cheap boost gauge just to verify the numbers you are seeing to start with... Also, is the car mostly stock? If so, having your boost low across the whole pattern could mean you have too much restriction in your exhaust (i.e. maybe a clogged catalytic converter).
Old 09-23-08, 04:52 PM
  #11  
outside agitator
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
koolmoe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Vancouver Canada
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Mods are: JDM dp, greddy Titanium exhaust (catback), Apex-i Intakes, partially if not fully hollow cat (happened 'naturally'... pieces of cat flying out the exhaust), Power FC.

I will definitely get another boost gauge to verify, though I don't need another set of ears to verify that there is a large boost leak.
Old 09-23-08, 04:57 PM
  #12  
Mr. Links

iTrader: (1)
 
Mahjik's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Kansas City, MO
Posts: 27,595
Received 41 Likes on 26 Posts
There are many pieces which are venting during the boost pattern. Simply hearing a "whooshing" sound doesn't always denote a boost leak. The CRV for instance vents until around 4200 rpms. If that is not silenced (i.e. it was vented into the stock airbox but you have an aftermarket intake) then you'll hear that whooshing until it closes.
Old 09-23-08, 05:05 PM
  #13  
outside agitator
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
koolmoe's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: Vancouver Canada
Posts: 66
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
hmmmm, well the whooshing noise existed before I installed the intakes.

The whooshing certainly sounds diminished after 4200 (when the secondary kicks in), but it's still there all the way up to redline (just not as loud).
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Jeff20B
1st Generation Specific (1979-1985)
73
09-16-18 07:16 PM
SakeBomb Garage
Vendor Classifieds
5
08-09-18 05:54 PM
High_Carb_Diet
Power FC Forum
1
09-05-15 09:07 AM



Quick Reply: Intermittent boost leak: passing BOV?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:53 AM.