Just came back from a smoke test to check for boost leaks.

No leaks found on boost pipes etc.

Other places were tested also and there was just the one leak, the thick pipe coming from the air filter housing going into the turbo had a fair amount of smoke pouring out at the join even though it seemed very tight!!

The mechanic said that there's enough of a leak to confuse the maf and could have effected the performance.

Out of all the places to have a leak, I didn't expect it there.

So if anyone is suffering performance issues etc, check that connection.

Anyway, sorted now with a jubilee clip and no other leaks found any where else

^^^Edited slightly to make more sense than 1st effort.

Was it an independant garage that checked for leaks or a Skoda garage?

Also, if you dont mind - how much was it to do the check?

ta!

You won't get a boost leak on that pipe, there's no boost in it..lol

exactly what i was just gona type till seen your comment

You won't get a boost leak on that pipe, there's no boost in it..lol

You'll only really notice a boost leak under load?? On an r/r say?

You won't get a boost leak on that pipe, there's no boost in it..lol

is there even a pipe that goes from the airbox to the manifold..?

You won't get a boost leak on that pipe, there's no boost in it..lol

Never said I did.

Just stating that we only check for boost leaks when we forget other pipes could be leaking.

Was it an independant garage that checked for leaks or a Skoda garage?

Also, if you dont mind - how much was it to do the check?

ta!

Mercedes garage actually. Lol.

Done for free, mates rates and all that but I think would usually be £20.

is there even a pipe that goes from the airbox to the manifold..?

Into the turbo.

is there even a pipe that goes from the airbox to the manifold..?

Manifold, turbo same thing lol

Manifold, turbo same thing lol

Lol. Exactly, I was just saying roughly where it goes into. Fussy buggers on this forum.

Manifold, turbo same thing lol

totally, except it isn't

totally, except it isn't

The pipe doesn't go directly into the turbo , so what does that pipe go into first?

It does go into the intake pipe for the turbo - that kind of metallic looking pipe that the crank case pipe goes into.

For boost leaks you are better off disconnecting the pipe from the bottom of the turbo and smoking "upstream" - then you will be checking all the actual boosted air for leaks. My mate did this and I found my custom boost sensor point wasn't sealing. Very useful. I am going to be using the same system from the exhaust end to check for manifold/exhaust leaks on thursday.

It does go into the intake pipe for the turbo - that kind of metallic looking pipe that the crank case pipe goes into.

For boost leaks you are better off disconnecting the pipe from the bottom of the turbo and smoking "upstream" - then you will be checking all the actual boosted air for leaks. My mate did this and I found my custom boost sensor point wasn't sealing. Very useful. I am going to be using the same system from the exhaust end to check for manifold/exhaust leaks on thursday.

Done this also whilst on ramp (turbo upstream) and no leaks.

His machine would also tell you this by a little bauble in a pressure gauge and if there was a leak it would go up the gauge. Didn't move through all the tests apart from the TURBO intake pipe leak.

Leaks in the T.I.P are not disastrous though. Its more of a small vacuum as turbo sucks in air through the airbox. Just means a small amount of unmetered air can get in and cause funny behaviour as the MAF has not "seen" it. MAF'less tuning is the way forward though.

Doesn't that mean that it will be pulling in unfiltered air though?

As we've seen on the forums lately, not good for turbo blades!

Doesn't that mean that it will be pulling in unfiltered air though?

As we've seen on the forums lately, not good for turbo blades!

Well it was enough smoke for the mechanic to whip off the clip and fix it solid with a jubilee clip.

Smoke was coming out all around the join.