So I just recently installed a Stewart Warner boost gauge and it seems to be working well - boost will spike up to 20ish and taper to 14-15 so it looks to be accurate. However, I've had to uninstall it and reinstall it a couple times and on the latest time boost has tapered to as low as 13, and I'm hearing a high-pitched whining sound when I get into full boost at WOT (though I think I heard it before too). Could there be a small leak somewhere? The whine doesn't really sound like a air leak but I don't know. Is this even anything to be worried about?

 

I dont think it should taper that low at all, that just doesnt seem right, do you have a MBC?

 

Nope, not installed yet. 13psi did seem really low. It's been a little inconsistent. I'll go check all the hoses/fittings and make sure everything's tight...argh.

 

Wow, if you've checked the wiring/hoses, and everything is tight, then you could possibly have a bad gauge or a bad line. If you pull the gauge assembly out ofthe car, do you still hear anything?

Jerry

 

I just checked everything and tightened everything down as much as possible. I'm almost 100% sure the noise has only started since the gauge installation. I don't remember the noise being this loud, nor the gauge dropping that low, until the latest time that I had to reinstall. I've checked the line to the gauge, re-checked it and checked again. Before it would spike to 20-21 and taper to 15 or so. Now it spikes to maaybe 19 and tapers to 13.5.

I guess I'll try disconnecting the gauge line tonight and replace the T-fitting with just a regular connector, see if the noise is still occurring. That's gonna be a pain in the ****, those hoses are really on there and difficult to remove/put back

I can't believe this...you'd think a simple boost gauge install would be easy and painless.

 

Later IXs do boost low. Like 18-20 peak tapering down to 14-15.

Did you use zip ties on all the connections?? If not, go zip tie all the connections.

The sound is from not using zip ties on all the connections

 

Phew, well that's a big relief. Guess I'll go put some zip ties on all of 'em. Getting those hoses on that t-fitting is bloody painful!

 

my bets areleaining on it being a bad gauge, if your connections all check out to be leak free. there have been lots of bad stewart warner guages out there making owners nervous that something was wrong with the car when in fact it was just the gauge.

 

Hmm, I dunno. I did my research and the overwhelming consensus was that they tend to be very accurate but have issues when it comes to being zeroed out from the factory. Mine zeroes just fine. I haven't heard of any issues other than that...

 

What?? I've been around for a while and time after time, SW gauges have come out on top. Alway very accurate and a great price.

Also, I use a MAP sensor to determine accuracy, not my friends gauges or anything.

Its a known fact that the later IXs boost low

 

Very strange. I also use the SW boost gauge. Mine is dead on with my map sensor and ebc.

 

Yeah, I've only heard great things about SWs (except for the zeroing issue, but that's immediately obvious)...

 

zip ties are very helpful!

if all lines are fully secure, then possibly a bad gauge?

 

How do you feel your car engine?
If you feel it more powerfull or hear some knock then you should have a leak...
Otherwise, try replacing your gauge with a similar diameter screw and you will be abble to evaluate if it's the gauge or not...

 

I dunno that I can tell any difference in power (maybe a little?) but I'm not getting any knock. I haven't had a chance to work on the car lately - I'll put some zip ties on, check the gauge line inside the cockpit and hope for the best.