intercooler

[colintandy]

can anybody tell me what the oil is that comes from the intercooler pipes where it comes from and why!thanks colin

[Hightower]

It's from the turbo.  Dunno why, just because it does.

[Arightpest]

If you have a look at your rocker cover you will see a little black plastic pot with pipes coming off it if you follow the pipes one goes into the air box this is the reason you have oil in your intercooler fumes from the engine block are passed through the pipes to allow them to be burnt off in the engine, and as you can see in the intercooler it don’t burn them all off? It’s all part of the emissions set up.

[Budgie]

It can also be from a leaking seal in the turbo. The turbo has it's own oil feed from the engine oil pump to allow the it to spin freely several thousand RPM without going bang!!  

[colintandy]

thanks fellas was a bit worried of corse it makes sense now had a slight panic on no worries now i guess it pays to take intercooler out and give a good flush out with clean water then about every 6 months ok

[Budgie]

If your going to clean the intercooler then water won't do it. You need a degreaser of some kind, I used parafin on mine but there are far better things available. I think Land Rover do an intercooler cleaner but I'm not sure, others will be able to give you the info.  
I know the intercooler has to be completely dry before you put it back on as most of the cleaners contain flamable chemicals!!

You should also check the condition of the intercooler pipes (inside & out) and, if your feeling really up to it, clean the inlet manifold as all these are effected by the oil in the air from the turbo.

There, that's a weekends work for you!!  :D

[Niel]

can anybody tell me what the oil is that comes from the intercooler pipes where it comes from and why!thanks colin

Turbo seals, and emissions connection to the rocker box. Cap the port for the pipe from the rocker and use a catch tank instead, should the no4 headgasket problem occur it won't cause a runaway....

[colintandy]

so if i was to disconect the pipe that runs into the bottom of the air box from the emmisons filter and block of the hole and then put that pipe into some sort homemade catch bottle and just empty every now and again would that in effect lower my emmisons or would disconecting that pipe cause me grief else where and would this also keep my intercooler clean does any one no about doin this has any one done this what are your thoughts to doin this regards colin

[Arightpest]

I have done it but because only a small amount drips out I have directed the pipe into the chassis it will hopefully coat the inside and make it last longer .  I was also told by a right petrol head at work when you remove the pipe it also helps to reduce the temperature of the air going into the turbo no hot air/oil from the engine :D  I know its only a bit but it helps.

[waveydavey]

The big thing to be aware of with tis is that the crankcase vents to the air intakes. If you ever blow a head gasget there will be enough oil to overrun the engine until it runs out and you sieze.

Just be aware it can happen, if you engine starts taking off and won't stop stall it fast.

[Range Rover Blues]

On the subject of cleaning the inlet I'd say that the intercooler is the  most important part to have clean as the oil residue will prevent it from working as a heat exchanger, which is it's job after all.