Hi all,

I remember reading here about a leak on or around the intercooler at the radiator. I believe it is normal to have a damp radiator bottom due to this, and perhaps an occasional drip on the floor after heavy turbo use.

Is there something that can be done to minimize or eliminate the leak without interacting unfavorably with the turbo gods?

Thanks,

Mike Harris in Sandy Eggo

Hi Mike,
I just wanted to stop by and check out the forum(i aint been here in a year or so), and its good to see there are still a few of the old crowd around. I still got my 00' S70GLt and still no real problems to speak of. It will be turning 30K miles next month, and still looks and runs as good as new!
Oh....BTW....as for your question.....I would just let it be.....a few drops from the weep hole dont hurt a thing.
--
Steve F. in Hoboken, NJ

Hi Steve,

I agree; not a big problem. Much more noticable while using synthetic oil, but still much less oil than my MBZ was dropping. At 80,000 miles, still not using measurable oil, and running great.

Regards,

Mike Harris in Sandy Eggo

I don't worry about it, at least not since I learned what it was. BTW, do you use synthetic oil, too? I'd wonder if it's accumulating at the bottom of the intercooler rather than carbonizing and precipitating. It can't be much, since I use no oil between changes.

Synthetic oil, hmmm.

Now that I think of it, I didn't have this issue before switching to Mobil 1.

I'll keep the synthetic and use the panty liner method to arrest the leak.

Thanks,

Mike Harris in Sandy Eggo

As Ray N. said, the factory "cure" is to drill the weep hole a bit bigger and install a fitting that merely protrudes into the intercooler so that the oil builds up in the intercooler rather than seeping out onto the air dam. This fitting still allows moisture to escape as needed. You could do the same by screwing in a drilled out bolt! Now, for the reality of things...this isn't a cure. It WILL stop the drips for some time, but they will return. I presume this happens because the intercooler "fills" with sludge at the bottom and this then goes down thru the nipple. I put some oil adsorber (kitty litter) in my airdam once a year and it takes care of things!

I'm just glad that all I have to whine about is an occasional drip of oil. Think I will use the panty liner method and let my wife guess what I'm doing with them...

Regards,

Mike Harris in Sandy Eggo

This tsb covers drilling out the drain hole and installing a nipple.
The dealer would have to follow the procedure (I can't post the
full TSB since I got this from alldatadiy.com and it is copyrighted):

2260002 Engine Intercooler - Oil Spots Found on Garage Floor

Some people drop the front air damn (black plastic, two 10mm bolts
on either side) and stick a sponge under there to absorb it.

Better than that--I put a couple of panty-liners from a "close partner" of mine in that trough! The "ultimate" absorber--and it has a sticky back to stay put! God Bless the USA (and my wife)!

Guess which suggestion I took, and guess who followed me out to the car to see what I did with them?

Thanks for the unique suggestion.

Kind Regards,

Mike Harris in Sandy Eggo

To really confuse her you can line the inside of a hat's brim
with them. Great for absorbing sweat off your brow as you wrench
on the car.