05' Plastic intercooler... possible leak

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After installing a 2micron fuel filter setup in the engine compartment, I started the truck to check for leaks. All was good, however I'm hearing what sounds like an air leak. I'm pretty sure I never heard this before and it seems to be coming from the drivers side front radiator area. I've also noticed that producing my normal 42lbs of boost is not happening as of late. I'm thinking I may have a small leak somewhere. I went over all the hoses and snugged them up.

Are there any particular ways I can check for a leak? I was thinking about a spray bottle with some soapy water, looking for bubbles. Any opinions?
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Running engine test with a spray bottle with water and liquid soap mixture. Spray all around every fitting and tank seam. You should see bubbles were it is leaking.

There are also sound sensing tools to find vacuum / pressure leaks, but are a little pricey for a one time usage.

You could also isolate the inlet and outlet of the system, plug it up on one end and rig some type of fitting on the other end to pump it up to say 35psi and again look for leaks with a spray bottle. You may have to do it this way if there is too much air turbulance from the running engine test with the spray bottle.

Good luck!

 

you can also spray a small shot of ether at the place you think it may be leaking, if it revs up a little you'll know. The no touch tire foam works good for finding leaks in tires, could do the same here also.

 

Air is leaking out, not in, so that gasser trick won't work, even at idle. But you could isolate and test things at 100 PSIG instead of 35. Then DC would have to put in a proper intercooler!

 

mine makes the same noise from the same spot and I have the metal intercooler.

 

I like that approach. INSTANT UPGRADE!