How to test for boost leaks on the LUV/LUJ Chevy Cruze and Sonic 1.4L turbo engine.

Common areas to search for boost leaks:
Turbo to charge pipe connection
Charge pipe to intercooler connections (both sides)
Intake manifold gasket
Throttle body gasket
Intake manifold check valve (see    • Chevy Cruze Sonic Trax Encore 1.4L Tu...  )
Wastegate actuator hose
Bypass valve hose (passenger side underneath intake manifold
All sensors on the intake manifold and charge pipe

If you still have a boost leak but can't find it, mix a liberal amount of soap with some water in a spray bottle and spray your connections around your engine and look for bubbles.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Boost leak testing your engine will also pressurize the crankcase, which is only supposed to be under 1118 inches of vacuum at all times. As a result, you will push oil through places it shouldn't be, namely turbo seals, piston rings, the PCV system, and probably somewhere else.

After a dozen or so boost leak tests, I started my car to find smoke coming out of the exhaust and some trickling out of the turbo. Had to drive for a good 1520 minutes to get the smoke to completely stop (doesn't help that I run AMSOIL which is very resistant to heat).

So just in case you have the same experience, don't freak out. It eventually stops.

Order a 1.4L Turbo LUV/LUJ Boost Leak Tester kit:
http://www.cruzekits.com
Note: The CruzeKits.com site is new so it may not load the first time you go to the site; if the link doesn't work, hit it a second time and it should show up.

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