Scott I've tried to follow your boost leak tester and it doesn't work like I want it to. I want a tester that works for 1 person so you don't have to worry about over pressurizing the system. Here's what I have (pic curtesty of SS) Problem is when I hook this up to the intake the air isn't 'regulated'. Now I can hook this to my compressor and lower the tank pressure down to 20 psi and go from there but that just sucks. I seem to recall that Scott's system allowed you to build your pressure inside and then you can stop it from over pressurizing. So Scott how do you monitor how much pressure you put in without looking at the gauge in the car? I've apparently got a NASTY leak somewhere as the car dies if I press the clutch in and let the rpms fall. It won't catch it's idle unless the rpms are lower than 2500 rpms.
use the regulator? dial it down and slowly increase it. pressurize the system to a desired value, then disconnect the air source and check for pressure drop. don't lower your compressor tank pressure, just use the regulator to adjust pressure
Can it be backwards? I don't think that regulator is directional....there's nothing on the piece saying that it is.....I feel so dumb
Some regulators are only rated from say 20-150psi so you may have bought the wrong one. Since the lowest setting would be 20psi, try finding a spray gun regulator as you can dial those down to low psi settings.
yes some regulators are directional. the downstream pressure usually controls a pilot valve or the disc itself. cheap ones are not so good at controlling pressure and their ratings vary. why not just use a globe valve and control it manually? same thing but less headache. sprinkler valve would work for this, put a tee downstream of the valve to monitor system pressure.