[52172]

Running aftermarket intercooler with vrsf cp was fine for 10k miles now have developed boost leak. I'm hearing there's couplers on both sides of the intercooler and thats the most common area of a boost leak? What's the best way to find the leak? Smoke? Anyone else run into the same issue? Thanks!

[thejeremyman9]

Welcome to the club. Just read these two threads as i basically documented everything that i did to eventually solve my boost leaks.

Tester: https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...php?p=25343308

Aftermarket Orings: https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...php?p=25343343

There are no couplers on the IC and TB side... just look at it. Its a clip with a oring inside and the tolerance for a boost leak is very minimal (fractions of a mm). The only coupler is what connects the two pieces of the CP together. If it worked fine for a while, its possible your coupler just came loose, check that first as it should be accessible from the top as long as it was installed correctly.

Also, what makes you have a leak in the first place? Logs?

[52172]

I’m running a boost gauge from Turner I can see the pressure just drop at about 8lbs. Plus all the power loss and I can even hear a slight whistle.

[thejeremyman9]

Originally Posted by 52172

I’m running a boost gauge from Turner I can see the pressure just drop at about 8lbs. Plus all the power loss and I can even hear a slight whistle.

If it's that big and you can hear it, it should be pretty obvious. If you are going to DIY i would just build the pressure tester described in that thread (i mention all materials and how to do it) to confirm the location of the leak. It might be something simple like loost coupler or meth bug. If its an Oring you have the option to go new OEM or aftermarket (the other thread).

[Blahx9]

Little hijack here, I’m not to sure I have a leak, I have decent power, after about what feels like 2 seconds. Waste gate reading looks a little jumpy . And I’ve seen better timing.
https://www.bootmod3.net/log?id=5f13...90c66591bb948b

[thejeremyman9]

Originally Posted by Blahx9

Little hijack here, I’m not to sure I have a leak, I have decent power, after about what feels like 2 seconds. Waste gate reading looks a little jumpy . And I’ve seen better timing.
https://www.bootmod3.net/log?id=5f13...90c66591bb948b

Doesn't look like it... you are within 0.5 psi of target almost the entire pull and WGDC looks reasonable. What makes you think you have a leak?

[Blahx9]

Originally Posted by thejeremyman9

Doesn't look like it... you are within 0.5 psi of target almost the entire pull and WGDC looks reasonable. What makes you think you have a leak?

Some of the noises it makes, and I’ve read that a leak in the diverter valve can cause my ‘lag’ . I’m actually going to a have a consult with a tuner tomorrow. I’ll let ya know how that goes.

[thejeremyman9]

Originally Posted by Blahx9

Some of the noises it makes, and I’ve read that a leak in the diverter valve can cause my ‘lag’ . I’m actually going to a have a consult with a tuner tomorrow. I’ll let ya know how that goes.

If you have a open intake or even MPPK you hear lots of noises. When i had stock intake it was almost silent. Cut my box to mimic MPPK and you start hearing more intake noise and DV 'whoosh'.

Also, for context, even when i had a massive boost leak to the point i was nowhere near target i could not near it at all while driving (was IC-CP connection). Had to pressure test to reveal the location. Another member had a audible leak, but it was from a loose coupler. More often than not, you can't hear a boost leak on these cars, even if you have a stock/quiet exhaust.

[Blahx9]

Thanks for the info, I am using the stock intake. 5” ic charge and tic pipes , and high flow cat. I hear the whoosh no problem, but it almost sounds like a balloon up blown with opening is stretched tight and not tied. The whine but no reverberation like a balloon. It also doesn’t do it all the time. Wish I could get it on video, camera phone mic sucks

[thejeremyman9]

Originally Posted by Blahx9

Thanks for the info, I am using the stock intake. 5” ic charge and tic pipes , and high flow cat. I hear the whoosh no problem, but it almost sounds like a balloon up blown with opening is stretched tight and not tied. The whine but no reverberation like a balloon. It also doesn’t do it all the time. Wish I could get it on video, camera phone mic sucks

That sounds like when someone's coupler was loose since the air escaping past the silicone makes that noise. I would just check that.

[Blahx9]

I’ve tightened them down as tight as they go. Since then it still happens. I ordered o rings to make sure I have good figment, if that doesn’t help I’ll disconnect the couplers re seat and try again. Maybe this time I’ll wear gloves and save my hands lol.

[Blahx9]

Sometime next month going to put a turbo smart valve on, probably no blow off version.

[thejeremyman9]

Originally Posted by Blahx9

Sometime next month going to put a turbo smart valve on, probably no blow off version.

Highly consider doing a turbo inlet at the same time. Possibly even a TIC if you want to do everything on that side at the same time.

[52172]

Who sells just a tic? I’m doing water pump to while in there. Got the Vader solutions inlet and turbo smart dv.

[Blahx9]

Originally Posted by thejeremyman9

Highly consider doing a turbo inlet at the same time. Possibly even a TIC if you want to do everything on that side at the same time.

Never thought of the inlet, already have the tic , from vrsf

[thejeremyman9]

Originally Posted by 52172

Who sells just a tic? I’m doing water pump to while in there. Got the Vader solutions inlet and turbo smart dv.

ER, FTP, and VRSF all sell TIC pipes. I just ordered VRSF and am going to install this weekend. Havent had great luck with VRSF fitment/leaks, but i figured my best chance at this point is sticking to the same brand as my IC.

[thejeremyman9]

Originally Posted by Blahx9

Never thought of the inlet, already have the tic , from vrsf

Highly recommend MST v2 inlet. Great improvement. You can read about my impressions and data supporting quantitative improvements in the aftermarket inlet thread.

Ozy and i tested a whole bunch of different inlets and the MST v2 was the clear winner.

Also, inlet is the main thing in the way for DV install, so definitely do it at the same time.