Weird Boost Leak

[5auce]

So I have a magical self repairing boost leak and I'm wondering where it's coming from... I'm chipped with a Forge 007 DV, Forge SMIC and a couple pieces of Samco hose (just the stuff before and after the intercooler). There is no leak when I drive the car like a normal human, but when I let it boost past about 15lb the boost level (and the power) will start to fluctuate. It bobs up and down between about 10-15 lb. If I stay on it long enough it will fall all the way down to around 5lb of boost. But then if I drive like a granny for a few minutes, presumably thanks to the vacuum, I get back being able to boost 10-15 lb. Has anybody experienced a leak like this before? Any ideas where it might be coming from? I'm thinking my MAP sensor seal might be the culprit. Any other ideas? Thanks for the help.

[BMP #1736]

when your boost cuts down to 5 psi its called "limp mode"

It does that because your ecu is seeing something its not liking and as a precaution to prevent any damage to the engine it activates limp mode.

[5auce]

Ah, I've heard of limp mode, but I was under the impression that the engine had to be shut off before the car would come out of it. Is that not the case?

[VWunion Chad]

this sounds like a normal k03 with im going to guess APR software.. Time for a big turbo my friend.. In the mean time make yourself a pressure tester to check for boost leaks

[matty675]

In the mean time make yourself a pressure tester to check for boost leaks

[5auce]

this sounds like a normal k03 with im going to guess APR software.. Time for a big turbo my friend.. In the mean time make yourself a pressure tester to check for boost leaks

Are you saying a stock K03s in perfect condition can't hold a solid 15lb at 5k rpm? I hope that's not the case...

I will check for leaks with a pressure tester. There are two kinds that it looks like people have built, one that goes on the turbo and one that goes after the MAF sensor, any recommendation on weather one is better/easier than the other? It looks like the turbo is a PITA to get to, but I do have a Neuspeed TIP I've been waiting to install, maybe this is just the time...

[VWunion Chad]

Are you saying a stock K03s in perfect condition can't hold a solid 15lb at 5k rpm? I hope that's not the case...

yes that is what i am saying.. and they fall down to about 10psi at redline in 5th/6th

Was I right about the APR tune?

[5auce]

Dammit Scotty, I need more boost!


It's a Gonzo tune. Otherwise I'm very happy with it.

[VWunion Chad]

Dammit Scotty, I need more boost!


It's a Gonzo tune. Otherwise I'm very happy with it.

Time for a big turbo.. and by big turbo im not talking about a k04