SteveNick

My VDO boost gauge is stuck at 1. Searched the threads and determined that the problem was most likely due to some blockage in the KLR tube. Sue enough, when I pulled the footwell apart and checked the KLR Tube I could see water in the tube. Not a lot but enough to block it.

I found a few threads that deal with water in the KLR unit usually attributable to flooding or leaks due to rusted out battery trays but none that deal with how water gets into the KLR tube.

This has never happened in 9 years of ownership. The car has not been flooded and the footwell area is perfectly dry. My car is a garage queen and has no rust anywhere so I'm puzzled as to how the water entered the tube.

The only possibility is that I got caught in a torrential downpour about a month ago. There was a lot of rain but I certainly didn't drive through any puddles that were even close to the door sill level.

I can find a replacement KLR unit but I'm concerned that this could well happen again.

Is it possible for water to enter the KLR tube through the Intake manifold?

Cory9584

I wouldnt worry about it, I dont even have that hose attached on my car. Just buy a real boost gauge and run a line to it.

944obscene

Since the line runs to the intake manifold, is it possible for condensation, or moisture to get in? I wouldn't think so, but it did cross my mind.

SteveNick

If the KLR unit being flooded via immersion due to flooding or a Battery Tray leak are ruled out, it seems to me that the only other avenue would be through the intake manifold. So condensation could be possible. Although it seems unlikely.

I'm at a bit of a loss to explain it.

Van

Then you're not using the KLR to control boost!

A leaky battery box will not get water inside the tube... As stated, that's coming from the intake manifold (as long as the tube has no leaks.)

Now, when you say "VDO" gauge, do you mean the factory boost gauge, or an after market gauge?

The more I think about it, if you have any gauge, and it's stuck at 1 bar, then I think you have a leak or hole in the sensor tube. Do a pressure test of the system (I've made a video about how to do that).

SteveNick

Van:

To clarify; Yes by VDO I meant the stock factory gauge.

You may be onto something. To this point I've assumed that the water would have to have entered via the intake manifold. I suppose it is possible that there is a crack or break in the tube but it's hard to see how water got into it unless through spray under the hood during the torrential downpour.

Simple test will be to disconnect the tube at the KLR and see if it holds a vacuum. I'll give that a try tomorrow after work

Thanks. Good thought!

Tom M'Guinn

Are you sure it's not gasoline?

SteveNick

Tom:

No. It's water alright.

dirtyTurbo

If your sure its not gasoline then I doubt this will help but when I bought my car fuel was leaking out the FPR and into the vacum/boost system. It made it all the way down to the KLR just like in your situation. Just blow it out the other end you should be fine, my KLR survived anyway...

Tom M'Guinn

If the line is not sealed well, maybe it's condensation?

SteveNick

Duh!

I stand corrected. It is gasoline.

I pulled the KLR Tube off at the KLR unit end and I can smell gas in the line.

It looks like the tube is just a friction fit onto the banjo bolt fitting at the air intake manifold end so I'll take it off and blow it out.

I'll let you know how it turns out. Thanks for the suggestions.

dirtyTurbo

Take the vacum fitting off the FPR and have someone crank the engine or run the fuel pump and see if fuel comes out. If your still running the 20 yearl old stock one its not entirely uncommon for them to have that problem. Good excuse to buy the 3.0

Tom M'Guinn

Glad you got to the bottom of it. Your FPR is probably bad, or your damper. Both are quick and easy to replace. I would not drive the car again until you do -- very high fire risk!

Chris White

Yeah – don’t drive it until fixed!!

A customer of mine had his damper fail at the track – it filled his intercooler, KLR line, all vacuum lines, half of one cylinder and some of the intake manifold with gas. I ran my lawnmower of a month on the gas I drained out of his engine….

RobE952

HA!