GM 1.4L Turbo Boost & Coolant Leak Testing Kits

48090 Views 31 Replies 9 Participants Last post by frankh, Dec 4, 2020

XtremeRevolution

Discussion Starter · Aug 29, 2018 (Edited)

3

GM 1.4L Turbo Boost & Coolant Leak Testing Kits

Overview
I've created a kit that can be used with an air compressor to test for vacuum leaks, boost leaks, and external coolant leaks on the 1.4L Turbo LUV, LUJ, and A14NET engines. This kit applies to the following vehicles with the 1.4L Turbo:

2011-2016 Limited 1.4L Cruze
2011-2018 Chevy Sonic/Aveo
2015+ Chevy Trax
2015+ Buick Encore
2011+ Opel/Vauxhall Corsa (Turbo only)
2009+ Opel/Vauxhall Astra J (Turbo only)
2010+ Opel/Vauxhall Meriva B
2011+ Opel/Vauxhall Zafira Tourer

Here's a video showing how to boost leak test this engine:

Here's a video showing how to coolant leak test this engine:
https://youtu.be/RhyNvvXpUH0

The boost leak test kits plug into the intake manifold while capping off the turbo. Make sure the clamp on the turbo cap is tight. You will need an air compressor regulated to no more than 25 psi (or be very careful opening the valve) in order to boost leak test this engine. To pressurize the cooling system to imitate full operating temp running pressure, some additional fittings are included to adapt the kit for coolant testing use. The boost and coolant leak tester kit uses a high quality, accurate 60 PSI gauge with brass fittings and an air hose connection to test with and comes with everything pictured below. Note that the air tool plug used is a common M-Style plug that will need a compatible coupler.

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 https://youtu.be/En4WO7DYsTk)
- Wastegate actuator hose
- Bypass valve hose (passenger side underneath intake manifold
- All sensors on the intake manifold and charge pipe

Common areas to search for coolant leaks:
- Crack in the surge tank/reservoir
- Water outlet
- Water pump
- Thermostat housing

Purchase Details

Orders are now handled on my website, where the Boost/Coolant leak test kit and the coolant-only testing parts can be ordered: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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Reactions: 2

1 - 20 of 32 Posts

Moe317

· #2 · Sep 24, 2018

Will this tester work on my 2014 Buick encore. It is also a 2.4L Turbo

XtremeRevolution

Discussion Starter · #3 · Mar 18, 2019 (Edited)

Boost leak test kits have been improved! The new kits are $5 more but include parts to adapt the kit for coolant system pressure testing as well.

Reactions: 2

Blasirl

· #4 · Mar 19, 2019

Are you going to add a supplemental video to show how to pressurize the cooling system?

Thebigzeus

· #5 · Mar 19, 2019

Blasirl said:
Are you going to add a supplemental video to show how to pressurize the cooling system?

Darn, I just had ordered mine, what more are you including? Also, due to your kit I found a leak where the intercooler hose clamps to the throttle body! Just wasn't tight enough I guess because as I tightened more the hiss went away.

XtremeRevolution

Discussion Starter · #6 · Mar 19, 2019

Thebigzeus said:
Darn, I just had ordered mine, what more are you including? Also, due to your kit I found a leak where the intercooler hose clamps to the throttle body! Just wasn't tight enough I guess because as I tightened more the hiss went away.

When did you order it? I just shipped out an order this morning from a day or two ago that had all of the parts included.

XtremeRevolution

Discussion Starter · #7 · Mar 19, 2019

Blasirl said:
Are you going to add a supplemental video to show how to pressurize the cooling system?

Absolutely!

mechguy78

· #8 · Mar 19, 2019

Are the additional parts something special or can they be located locally?

XtremeRevolution

Discussion Starter · #9 · Mar 19, 2019 (Edited)

mechguy78 said:
Are the additional parts something special or can they be located locally?

The additional parts for coolant testing are:

- A 5/16" hose: available locally
- A 1/4" to 5/16" barb adapter: most likely not available locally
- A 13mm fuel hose spring clamp to fit on a 5/16" hose: difficult to find locally but you can use a worm drive clamp (I don't like them personally)
- A 5/16" or 8mm plug. Probably not available locally. You can get them on Amazon, if you don't mind waiting a month to get them: https://www.amazon.com/Drip-Irrigat...g+irrigation&qid=1553033566&s=gateway&sr=8-35

I'll ship anyone the coolant testing parts for $10 if they want them. Saves you an hour or two of running around stores trying to find them all.

Thebigzeus

· #10 · Mar 20, 2019

XtremeRevolution said:
When did you order it? I just shipped out an order this morning from a day or two ago that had all of the parts included.

Bout a month ago

If you get a link setup for the parts for $10 I’d gladly order. Thx

XtremeRevolution

Discussion Starter · #11 · Mar 21, 2019

Thebigzeus said:
Bout a month ago If you get a link setup for the parts for $10 I’d gladly order. Thx

I added a link to the bottom of post 1 so you could order those.

Reactions: 1

ChevyGuy

· #12 · Mar 25, 2019

Unfortunately, not all of us are in a position to have a compressor. Is this something that could work with a small tire pump? Perhaps one of those small ones powered from the cigarette lighter?

XtremeRevolution

Discussion Starter · #13 · Mar 26, 2019

Video uploaded of how to use the extra kit parts to coolant leak test the engine.

Reactions: 1

XtremeRevolution

Discussion Starter · #14 · Mar 26, 2019

ChevyGuy said:
Unfortunately, not all of us are in a position to have a compressor. Is this something that could work with a small tire pump? Perhaps one of those small ones powered from the cigarette lighter?

Unfortunately no, an air compressor is required for this. Besides that, an air pump would be far too loud to be able to hear any hissing sound.

I imagine you could use a tire pump for the coolant testing portion of it though, but you'd have to find a way to adapt the air tool plug to something the tire pump would use.

Thebigzeus

· #15 · Mar 28, 2019

Used the coolant one tonight, pumped it up until the cap let out a small hiss at around 21PSI. Let it set for 10 minutes. No leaks, pressure dropped maybe 1PSI at most.

PlugaruT

· #16 · Jul 20, 2019

Ok, so, I've installed the PCB valve fix kit v2 and I drove like 300km and I've check the ECU for error codes. There were 2 of them which I had before installing the kit. P1101 and P0171.
I do have a coolant leak near the thermostat which I am planning to replace this week I think. But is it possible to have those errors because of that? Or I have to check for boost leak somewhere?

XtremeRevolution

Discussion Starter · #17 · Jul 20, 2019

PlugaruT said:
Ok, so, I've installed the PCB valve fix kit v2 and I drove like 300km and I've check the ECU for error codes. There were 2 of them which I had before installing the kit. P1101 and P0171.
I do have a coolant leak near the thermostat which I am planning to replace this week I think. But is it possible to have those errors because of that? Or I have to check for boost leak somewhere?

Sounds like a vacuum leak somewhere. Check the corrugated hose (from intake manifold to turbo) for cracks.

Blasirl

· #18 · Sep 26, 2019

My first and second attempt to locate my boost leak.

Any comments? I am currently at a loss.

Blasirl

· #19 · Sep 30, 2019

There are a few noises that occur besides the high pitched one. I am getting ready to replace the idler and belt to hopefully quiet the AC when it's running and am also replacing the crank seal to silence the chirp. Is there anything in the vicinity of the throttle body spacer, besides the spacer itself, that might be the source of the leak?

I have already replaced the valve cover and the PCV orange nipple is still there.

XtremeRevolution

Discussion Starter · #20 · Oct 1, 2019

Blasirl said:
There are a few noises that occur besides the high pitched one. I am getting ready to replace the idler and belt to hopefully quiet the AC when it's running and am also replacing the crank seal to silence the chirp. Is there anything in the vicinity of the throttle body spacer, besides the spacer itself, that might be the source of the leak?

I have already replaced the valve cover and the PCV orange nipple is still there.

Just because the nipple is there doesn't mean it doesn't leak, or that it's not cracked behind.

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