So I want to get a boost leak test done as my new SW boost gauge is reading lower than it should...I called a local place and they quoted me 1.5hrs of labor + tax for a total of $141. That seems a little absurd for what should be a short easy test...I'm thinking of doing it myself but I really want it done ASAP (today if possible) and don't want to run getting parts to make my own. How much would be reasonable to have a shop do it for me?

 

Its either spend the time and less than 10 bucks to do it yourself, or suck it up and have the shop do it.

 

the test is simple trouble shooting is the pain especially if its a hidden leak or hard to get to...Goodluck!

 

After looking it up it does seem that the test itself is extremely simple...just pull of the intake, put on the tester and pressurize the system. That's why it seems a bit crazy to have to pay $140 for it.

I might just do it myself, but I'm going to be busy the next few days and won't have time to get materials myself...I know of a couple places I can order one but I won't have it until next week. I just want to get this done right away

 

It's a short easy "test" generally speaking if they don't find problems. If their quote includes fixing leaks, then I'd say you're getting a deal. I spent about 3 hours last night fixing boost leaks on one of my cars and found them in places I wouldn't have expected. Their time estimate is reasonable and their hourly rate is just about standard for any performance shop, so I'd say it's a fair quote.

If you're expecting them to just point out leaks and tell you what to fix, that's not so simple. Some leaks don't show up until a certain amount of pressure, but you might have a huge leak preventing them from really getting to that level of pressure. Also, to locate leaks you rely somewhat on soapy liquid (for bubbles) but also sound. With multiple leaks going on at once it's kinda hard to locate where a particular sound is coming from, and so it's easier to find the first, fix it, and then move on to the next until you've tracked them all down.

 

lol dude thats easy as an oil change or do you pay people 140 bucks to do that too get in their and get your hands dirty !!!!!!!!

 

Suppose so...in my case I'm just thinking I have a leak at the T-fitting where the boost gauge is tapped into, or along the boost gauge line itself. The car is basically brand new (bought it new five months ago) so I wouldn't expect leaks from anywhere else. I might just do it myself.

 

As a student with mods waiting to be installed and three exams over the next 6 days, this wasn't high on my priority list to do myself. If I was ready to pay $140 for something that is fairly simple and can be done myself, I wouldn't have made this thread, would I?

 

home depot is your friend. $10 is all you need.

 

I tried tracking down plumbing pieces and couldn't find any that would fit. The couplers they have are sized so their inner diamter fits the large outer diameter of the pvc pipes. Their 3" isn't the same as our inner diameter 3". 2.5" might have worked but I went to no less than four plumbing supply places (including home depot and lowes) and they didn't carry 2.5". I have a 3" inlet on the car this was for.

In other words I was looking for the wrong damned parts (wouldn't surprise me) or it's really not that simple to track this crap down. I ended up buying a tester for $29 shipped from Fighters Garage.

 

hey, i went to fighters garage site, thanks for that info bro, i'm gonna order that ester too, its perfect.

 

boost leak test is annoying and time intensive. 1.5 hrs labor is very fair but i dont see why they should charge u a flat fee. if u dont have any major leaks its a 30 min job for a shop. also most people have minor leaks so the cost can depend on how **** u want to be.