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Best way to locate vacuum leak and plenum rubbing hood?

Old Apr 20, 2007 | 02:54 PM
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Default Best way to locate vacuum leak and plenum rubbing hood?

Ok, I pulled my Kinetix v4 plenum and upgraded to the V+. 2 issues:

1. I have a very minor vacuum leak. I can hear a light whistling when the car is running and it sounds like a deflating baloon when I shut the car off. What's the best way to locate the leak?

2. one edge of the plenum is lightly rubbing one of the under-hood supports. Anyone else have this issue??? It's pretty minor, but still...
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Old Apr 20, 2007 | 02:59 PM
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locate leak by sparying soapy water on the lines, you will see it bubble where it leaks.
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Old Apr 20, 2007 | 03:02 PM
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A MECHANIC'S STETHOSCOPE may be helpful.
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Old Apr 20, 2007 | 03:59 PM
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starter fluid aka "ether" the cars rmps will raise at the spot where its leaking Someone might want to chime in though I know it worked on my old car.
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Old Apr 20, 2007 | 04:05 PM
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As far as the plenum and hood go. I used blue masking tape on the plenum and engine cover. Closed the hood. Drove around and checked for marks on the tape. My CF hood was hitting the plenum in 2 spots, the engine cover in 1 and both fluid and battery covers. D'oh.
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Old Apr 20, 2007 | 04:46 PM
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second on the ether. The RPM's spiking is easier to notice than soapy water IMO
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Old Apr 20, 2007 | 05:51 PM
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hey whats up...

why do I always hear of rubbing etc.. problems... when people install a plenum spacer ???

I dont know about the Kinetix spacer..... but im planning to install the Motordyne ISO spacer... actually ive already ordered it..

on the website it specifies that it is fully compatible with OEM strutbar and hood etc....

so whats this about rubbing and vibrations im reading all over the place?
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Old Apr 20, 2007 | 06:01 PM
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MD spacers have no issue rubbing, at least the 5/16 one. Just use the washers that are provided.

As for the Kinetix...I'm not sure but when I installed my Mrev2 and spacer I thought that it was leaking too. One question: Is the suppossed leak on the passenger side? All VQ's make that pssssh sound. As for the rubbing, check the strut bar, the rubbing noise it makes sounds/feels kind of like a vacuum leak.
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Old Apr 20, 2007 | 06:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Z MANIA
As far as the plenum and hood go. I used blue masking tape on the plenum and engine cover. Closed the hood. Drove around and checked for marks on the tape. My CF hood was hitting the plenum in 2 spots, the engine cover in 1 and both fluid and battery covers. D'oh.
So... what do you do about it?
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Old Apr 20, 2007 | 06:11 PM
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I guess I'll try the soapy water or ether, if I can find it. Listening as the motor is shut off, it sounds like it's coming from the rear of the plenum someplace or around the throttle body. I may go back and check all the bolts TQ first and see if that does anything...



Originally Posted by bugsbbunny
As for the Kinetix...I'm not sure but when I installed my Mrev2 and spacer I thought that it was leaking too. One question: Is the suppossed leak on the passenger side? All VQ's make that pssssh sound. As for the rubbing, check the strut bar, the rubbing noise it makes sounds/feels kind of like a vacuum leak.

No issues with my strut bar and it's spaced up at least an 1/8" for the V+ plenum.
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Old Apr 20, 2007 | 06:16 PM
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i also have a md 5/16 spacer and mrev on order. and this is the forst i have heard of any problems
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Old Apr 20, 2007 | 06:32 PM
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This is a completely different product/company.

The rubbing isn't really a problem; it's very minor and there is no rattling or anything that I can tell associated with it. I was just wondering if anyone else with the Kinetix V+ plenum has experienced it. The main issue I am tackling is the vacuum leak. If I have to, I'll take it all back apart and seal it on with RTV, but I'm looking for an easier solution first.
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Old Apr 20, 2007 | 07:01 PM
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Originally Posted by MustGoFastR
So... what do you do about it?
Unfortunately, I knew that there was a problem and was attempting to mark the spots as I posted above and sand the underside of the hood to allow clearance, but the clear coat of the hood cracked in 3 spots (near the latch) before I got the job done. Now I believe that I've solved the problem, but have to decide to fix clear coat or just live with it. It's noticeable up close. Anybody know anyone in the So Cal area that does this kind of work?

1. If you have even a 5/16 spacer you may rub.
2. Once you have it installed, check for ease of closing hood.
3. I advise that you immediately put blue masking tape at your highest points, and take a long drive. (Oddly, you would think that it would be hitting the track bar, but this was not the case with me.)
4. Do not delay in fixing (D'oh)
5. You can spray paint black any sanded areas and no one will be the wiser.
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Old Apr 20, 2007 | 09:06 PM
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Hi Mustgofaster

I went back to Kinetix V+ after all. Well I notice that I had a leak too. So I took a close look at it. I notice that at the neck where throttle bodie connect to the plenum was not tight, all thought it felt I couldn't tight it any more. So I took a flash light to see if I saw the light go throught the other side to see the leak where the neck of plenum and TB meet, and what do you know I had a leak. So I tight it as hard as I could and problem solved. Haven't had any problem since. I hope this helps you fix your leak good luck.

David
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Old Apr 21, 2007 | 12:18 AM
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Originally Posted by Z MANIA
Unfortunately, I knew that there was a problem and was attempting to mark the spots as I posted above and sand the underside of the hood to allow clearance, but the clear coat of the hood cracked in 3 spots (near the latch) before I got the job done. Now I believe that I've solved the problem, but have to decide to fix clear coat or just live with it. It's noticeable up close. Anybody know anyone in the So Cal area that does this kind of work?

1. If you have even a 5/16 spacer you may rub.
2. Once you have it installed, check for ease of closing hood.
3. I advise that you immediately put blue masking tape at your highest points, and take a long drive. (Oddly, you would think that it would be hitting the track bar, but this was not the case with me.)
4. Do not delay in fixing (D'oh)
5. You can spray paint black any sanded areas and no one will be the wiser.

Ah, ok. Well, I have stock hood and it is just rubbing ever so slightly on one of the hood support members. I also have the Stillen TQ dampener, which likely helps the engine from torquing and rubbing it worse. I think I'm just going to take a ball pien hammer and knock the suport a bit to clearance it; hopefully that will take care of the problem...
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Old Apr 21, 2007 | 12:22 AM
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Originally Posted by Reyes5937
Hi Mustgofaster

I went back to Kinetix V+ after all. Well I notice that I had a leak too. So I took a close look at it. I notice that at the neck where throttle bodie connect to the plenum was not tight, all thought it felt I couldn't tight it any more. So I took a flash light to see if I saw the light go throught the other side to see the leak where the neck of plenum and TB meet, and what do you know I had a leak. So I tight it as hard as I could and problem solved. Haven't had any problem since. I hope this helps you fix your leak good luck.

David
Ah, you know, that may be it! The sound WAS coming from around that area and it was tough to get the bottom bolts very tight with just an allen wrench. I think I'll go pick up a 5mm allen head socket and really crank that thing down.

In spite of the leak, the car runs like a ****. I can tell the difference between the v4 and the V+ plenums; it pulls much better at the top end, which is exactly where I needed it. Next step: TS reflash...
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Old Apr 21, 2007 | 08:11 AM
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Ok, looks like the throotle body bolts were it. I tightened them down and everything was fine afterward. Thanks for the help, guys!

Just as a note to anyone that gets this plenum: The cork gasket that comes bonded to it seems to settle a bit after you drive on it for the first time, so it's a good idea to go back and re-torque all the bolts a day or two after installation.
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Old Apr 21, 2007 | 08:14 AM
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Glad it worked for you.
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Old Apr 21, 2007 | 02:11 PM
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I wish i had read you post before i just made mine. I just installed my V+a few days ago and have the exact same rubbing issue. I guess i will just have to live with it. Mine is like yours, it isn't doing mucn more then rubbing the paint in one spot.
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