So I'm driving my car to work today and I'm noticing that I can hear the turbo a LOT more than I should. It's been a little loud when shifting in boost the last few weeks but I thought it was just the colder air causing it. I also noticed that I'm only getting 2-3 lbs of boost instead of 5 so I'm jumping to the conclusion that I've got a leak somewhere in the pressurized part of the system. I quick checked connections on the IC and plumbing from the turbo and couldn't see anything but I was getting late for work so I'll have to check again later. Should I be looking for anything else besides that? I thought something could be allowing the wastegate to open sooner than 5 lbs but then the system should be any louder, right? Other idea I had was that perhaps the BOV was stuck partially open. I guess I'll be spending lunch in and under my car today and no going out tonight unless I can fix the problem. I'm not so worried about the car not getting into boost so much as if there is a leak then unfiltered air could be getting into the engine.
If there's a boost leak, no air will get in unfiltered because air is going OUT not IN. If you're still getting 2-3psi I wouldn't worry about driving it, just get it fixed.
If there's a leak you'd be getting unfiltered air in anytime the turbo isn't pushing air in. The intake manifold still sees vacuum, the car isn't always in boost, though that would be cool. I figured out where the leak was after work. Apparently I blew the BOV off my IC but it was hard to tell because the breather plumbing was holding it over the IC bung it was affixed to. All it took was a little tug on it to see that it wasn't attached anymore. The hose clamp disappeared but fortunately I carry enough spare plumbing and fittings in my trunk to rebuild the intake ) If anyone wants to know just how loud a turbocharger is just remove your BOV completely and listen to it in all its glory
