[Sniz]

I went back under the car and loosened and then re tightened all the worm clamps that came w/ the Helix intercooler. I tightened them hard too, afraid i was going to break something. I went back out and ran some more logs at 90% and then 1 run at 92%......any suggestions?

I have never had to really look for a boost leak before.....or perhaps its not a boost leak and something else is causing the lower than prescribed boost numbers????

and so you all know, it was COLD when I was running, 25 degrees F only a few hundren feet above sea level at most.

90% run after re tightening worm clamps



92%, turned the car off and upped it to 92%, then restarted and ran, no adaptation

[Sniz]

and for comparison, here is a few days ago running 90%....didn't seem to be a change after going back over the worm clamps.

[sparkyg]

Are you sure the boost is really leaking. Check the vac lines too. Just as important and can easily cause probs.

GL

[Dr_Dirt]

Are you getting the code for boost target not reached?

[down4it]

I think its got something to do with outside temps... You said it was 25F outside when you did the new logs... When its 36F out here my boost is kinda low too, but then in the daytime when its warmer i hit 14-16psi...

[Sniz]

checked the vac lines, didn't see anything that looked wrong. I'm not positive its a boost leak, but I do know that I have never logged consistent boost over 10psi and that is not right. I'll have to retest again when it gets a bit warmer, but who knows when that will be....its 22 this morning.

I'm going to take it to a shop here later this week if I can't get it figured out and have them look at it and install t-bolts if possible.

I just want my full boost!

[scalbert]

Have you tried running with the bypass plugs in? I am curious if you then get a boost target not reached code.

[Sniz]

Originally Posted by scalbert

Have you tried running with the bypass plugs in? I am curious if you then get a boost target not reached code.

actually no, I could do that this morning. I'm already layered up in my sub freezing mechanics outfit instead of a suit.....the office will have to wait, I have hp to find.

[Dr_Dirt]

What kind of pressure drop are you supposed to see from your Helix intercooler?

[Sniz]

Originally Posted by Dr_Dirt

What kind of pressure drop are you supposed to see from your Helix intercooler?

Very valid question. I was looking into that last night w/ out any results. I'm going to call them this morning and see if they can tell me. I am not expecting that to be the answer as I have been seeing peak boost in the 9-10psi range where I should be seeing 14-15.....that would be one huge drop.

I'll report back.

also, bypass plugs are in. I'll drive around all day w/ them in and see if I can induce any codes. Only bad thing is I dropped one of the screws that holds the a/c filter on.....:sad0147:. Numb hands and screws don't go well together. Time for a garage heater and a stop by the stealership.

[zenmaster]

How do you read a "boost target not reached" w/o going to the dealer?

[Sniz]

Originally Posted by Dr_Dirt

What kind of pressure drop are you supposed to see from your Helix intercooler?

Spoke w/ Anthony at Helix. He said their I/C will actually have a lower pressure drop than the stock I/C, not the other way around. So thats not the culprit.

I did talk w/ him pretty thoroughly on how to test for boost leaks on this car and I'm going to follow his direction today. I'm going to Home Depot to get some PVC caps that will fit the 2 outlets from the airbox (need to remove it). One will cap off and plug the outlet, the other I will screw a air compressor hose fitting onto to. Plug in my air compressor and set it to 15-20 psi and run the pump and then listen for leaks, if necessary spray some soapy water on the areas I suspect.

If I can't find a leak then its got to be something else. Oh the joys of messing w/ turbo piping.

[335boosted2Dmax]

Originally Posted by Sniz

checked the vac lines, didn't see anything that looked wrong. I'm not positive its a boost leak, but I do know that I have never logged consistent boost over 10psi and that is not right. I'll have to retest again when it gets a bit warmer, but who knows when that will be....its 22 this morning.

I'm going to take it to a shop here later this week if I can't get it figured out and have them look at it and install t-bolts if possible.

I just want my full boost!

Ahhhh this will be an on going problem with the BMW members for life, i guarantee once we engage into a problem with the diverter valves and boost leaks, there will be a million threads complaining about boost leaks.......you need to expect boost leaks with a turbo car. I know probably the majority of the BMW community hasn't dealt with a turbo car before and is expecting everything to run as consistently as a N/A V8 or V10, HA!! I knew it was just a matter of time before this became a major issue. (I myself have been a part of the BMW community for a long time but have had other forced induction cars before and sometimes finding boost leaks isn't the simplest thing to do, like u said u were gonna do, bring it to a shop who specialize in turbo cars, preferably a porsche shop, thats where i go)

GL with finding the boost leak though

[Sniz]

Originally Posted by zenmaster

How do you read a "boost target not reached" w/o going to the dealer?

that is a good question. I just checked w/ my code reader and I do not have any codes right now, at least that I can read.

[Sniz]

Originally Posted by 335boosted2Dmax

Ahhhh this will be an on going problem with the BMW members for life, i guarantee once we engage into a problem with the diverter valves and boost leaks, there will be a million threads complaining about boost leaks.......you need to expect boost leaks with a turbo car. I know probably the majority of the BMW community hasn't dealt with a turbo car before and is expecting everything to run as consistently as a N/A V8 or V10, HA!! I knew it was just a matter of time before this became a major issue. (I myself have been a part of the BMW community for a long time but have had other forced induction cars before and sometimes finding boost leaks isn't the simplest thing to do, like u said u were gonna do, bring it to a shop who specialize in turbo cars, preferably a porsche shop, thats where i go)

GL with finding the boost leak though

thank you....not my first turbo car, but its still a PITA when you suspect a boost leak and have to find it.

[scalbert]

Originally Posted by zenmaster

How do you read a "boost target not reached" w/o going to the dealer?

He may not read it but he should get a limp if a leak has occured.

[scalbert]

Originally Posted by Sniz

Very valid question. I was looking into that last night w/ out any results. I'm going to call them this morning and see if they can tell me. I am not expecting that to be the answer as I have been seeing peak boost in the 9-10psi range where I should be seeing 14-15.....that would be one huge drop.

The IC shoudl have less drop if anything. Plus, the measurement and control point is post IC. So, with the bypass plugs in, and a day of driving, let us know if any limp mode occurs.

[scalbert]

Originally Posted by Sniz

that is a good question. I just checked w/ my code reader and I do not have any codes right now, at least that I can read.

If the issue occurs, you should go into limp mode.

[335boosted2Dmax]

Originally Posted by Sniz

thank you....not my first turbo car, but its still a PITA when you suspect a boost leak and have to find it.

Yea those boost leaks can be some sneaky fackers sometimes, glad to hear that you seemed to have found ur problem......

[Helix Wildebeest]

The boost leak check is the only true way to find any leaks. Unfortuantely for twin turbo cars it is that much more of a pain in the Azz.

[Sniz]

Originally Posted by 335boosted2Dmax

Yea those boost leaks can be some sneaky fackers sometimes, glad to hear that you seemed to have found ur problem......

I wish that were the case.....havent found it yet!

Made it to the office on the bypass plugs w/ out any problems, but never got a chance to open it up. 15 minute drive and the car finally got to operating temp by the time I got here.

[Sniz]

ok found a shop here in town that specializes in turbo high performance, surprised I didnt find them earlier. They have a 1100whp Supra in their showroom and the owner races a 7 second toyota Solara....so i'm pretty confident in their ability to diagnose turbo cars.

Going back at 2pm to dyno the car and check for boost leaks in stock config and w/ V2 turned on....I'll report back.