Intercooler covered in oil

[mjstokes85]

The left hand side of my FMIC is covered in oil, it looks like it is dripping down from where the top pipe goes in then running down the front. I thought it was coming from the bottom pipe but the oil is above the bottom pipe too so I think it is coming from the top. Anyway, I don't really know what this means, where does the top pipe come from/go to, and why would it have oil in it? I checked my oil level and it is normal so I can't be losing that much.

 

[Lowe]

It's from the turbo - all boost pipes will eventually get a coating if oil inside. If it outside then potentially the top pipe has a bit of a leak and the oil is finding its way out under pressure.

 

[mk4 cupra]

It does look like the top pipe has gave way and is leakin under boost hense the oil but as my Cupra tdi is doing it could also be the intercooler it's self leaking from the crap crimped end caps on the standerd intercooler. Best and only way to really find out is take the front bumper off to see what's actually leaking.

Mine is leaking on the right side at the corners so I know mines defo the intercooler but yours might not be so I wish u the best of luck and hope its te cheeper pipe u need to replace

 

[DScape]

Mine is leaking on the right side at the corners so I know mines defo the intercooler but yours might not be so I wish u the best of luck and hope its te cheeper pipe u need to replace

I think mine might be doing that too. I remember looking at the intercooler the other thinking it didn't look right and the photos above seem to match (but mine's on the right). I'm going out to compare!

*Edit*

Terrible photo (with phone) so it's a bit hard to tell, but mine's pretty much the same (I think you'll have to take my word for it in fairness because the photo doesn't show much...)

 

[mjstokes85]

I also have a small patch of oil in the bottom right hand corner like yourself. I will have to take the bumper off and have a good look. So to get this right, the compressed exhaust gases from the turbo enter through the top left pipe, are cooled by the intercooler, then pushed back through the bottom left pipe back into the combustion chambers?

 

[cupra.al]

if your oil patches are on the right when looking at the front of the car then i should think the intercooler is leaking rather than the boost hose unless its being sprayed right across the cooler.

 

[mk4 cupra]

If its the bottom right it's defo the intercooler

 

[DScape]

I also have a small patch of oil in the bottom right hand corner like yourself. I will have to take the bumper off and have a good look. So to get this right, the compressed exhaust gases from the turbo enter through the top left pipe, are cooled by the intercooler, then pushed back through the bottom left pipe back into the combustion chambers?

For reference.

Is there a bumper removal guide anywhere? I'm pretty sure I'd be alright without one, but I always manage to forget a screw somewhere....

This might explain why I've always thought it was slightly down on power then it used to be and the unfamiliar noises I've been hearing for quite some time now!

 

[mjstokes85]

So is it the other way round, the bottom pipe from the turbo and the top to the engine?

 

[mk4 cupra]

For reference.

Is there a bumper removal guide anywhere? I'm pretty sure I'd be alright without one, but I always manage to forget a screw somewhere....

This might explain why I've always thought it was slightly down on power then it used to be and the unfamiliar noises I've been hearing for quite some time now!

Same as me mate my Cupra is defo down slightly on power but the leak Is not causing a massive diffrance so ill be waiting a little bit longer till I have the penny's todo it

 

[cupra.al]

For reference.

Is there a bumper removal guide anywhere? I'm pretty sure I'd be alright without one, but I always manage to forget a screw somewhere....

the removal is pretty simple all the screws are in places you would expect them apart from two bolt type screws as you look at the grill there are two holes that are slightly larger or a different shape so you can get your tool in other than that its an easy job.

 

[DScape]

So is it the other way round, the bottom pipe from the turbo and the top to the engine?

Yup, I believe so anyway mate!

the removal is pretty simple all the screws are in places you would expect them apart from two bolt type screws as you look at the grill there are two holes that are slightly larger or a different shape so you can get your tool in other than that its an easy job.

Awesome, cheers pal. I'll give it a go