How Boost Leaks Affect Your Power And Economy

If you’re looking to save some money on your Volvo, you might want to learn more about boost leaks. These leaks can be hazardous and need to be taken care of immediately if you’re going to keep your car working the way it’s supposed to. Boost leaks are typically caused by the high stresses of the intake manifold pressure, which causes the seal to break. But even more, severe damage can be caused by a damaged boost leak, which can cause hazardous running conditions that can permanently damage your engine.

The most common problem with a leaky intake manifold is caused by worn-out or old turbo hoses. Old Volvo turbo hoses will fail before any other parts, and these leaks can often be found in your downtime. If you’re able to find these leaks in your exhaust system, your turbo hose has failed long before its time. You can often spot the leaky pipes by looking closely at the exhaust port (where the turbo hose attaches) – any wrinkles or swelling along the joint will indicate that the hose has ruptured somewhere.

Another common cause of leaky turbo hoses is because they have been overstressed. Overstressing occurs when an oil or transmission fluid is spilled on the joint, which forces the joint to rupture and then leak. This is the worst-case scenario and can be a significant repair job. If you notice a small leak under your hood, then chances are your turbo hose has suffered the same fate. A small leak under your hood can easily be fixed by adding more oil to the filter, but a more extensive leak requires a replacement from the dealership.

Turbo hoses often leak if they’ve been overstressed because the heat of your engine is rapidly expanding the rubber sleeve surrounding the drain plug. This causes the throat of the intake tube to grow, creating pockets of air as it does so. Because these pockets are small, they aren’t noticeable to the naked eye, but they make an undesirable amount of backpressure. Your dealer will often recommend an air filter designed to deal with this type of backpressure to combat this problem.

For more information about boost leaks, check out this infographic by Pure Diesel Power, the superior in diesel parts and performance.