Boost leak checking and smoke machines.

so im trying to preform a boost leak check as i have a bit of studder during rpm's under 3400rpm.

i bought a smoke machine off of amazon and i am feeding the smoke in right after the maf going into the turbo.

found a few leaks so far. one being the low pressure side of the turbo. but im also noticing that my valve covers are pressurizing even with the pcv lines blocked off. but the interesting part is smoke is leaking out of the wires on the ficd. i didn't expect that. and im sure its not enough to cause an issue. but my biggest problem is i cant get the system to pressurize. even if i leave the pcv hooked up. it wont get past ~1 psi. if i hold off the hose from the smoker it will go up to 15psi. im not seeing any large leaks just a little around the egr valve.

has anyone had issues pressurizing the intake?