Intercooler Leaking?
 

Has anyone had a leak with their water-to-air intercooler (regardless of s/c brand). I noticed that my intercooler reservoir was low, but there is no visible sign of a leak. I'm assuming that it can leak internally and get consumed with the air/fuel, but how to you tell?

Any suggestions will be much appreciated.

RE: Intercooler Leaking?
 

mine leaked when it was first installed...where the fittings screw into the heat exchanger, at the top, but there was a small puddle under the front of my car that gave it away....

RE: Intercooler Leaking?
 

Humm... yeah, no visible leaks that I've been able to find and I'm not totally sure it is leaking. The level just dropped on me and I'm not sure why. Haven't had it installed that long, and with the recent warm weather I'm wondering why the level changed.

Anyone else with experience with this?

RE: Intercooler Leaking?
 

top it off for a few drives and if it
keeps droppping, then i would say
yes there is a leak somewhere

there may have been an air bubble
somewhere in the system

RE: Intercooler Leaking?
 

Yeah, was wondering if that might be the case. I'll keep and eye on it and see.

If I am leaking coolant internally and it is getting into the combustion chamber, how can I check for this? Will the spark plugs show signs? Exhaust pipes show evidence?

Thanks again for the advice!

RE: Intercooler Leaking?
 

Check your oil.....it would look milky on the dipstick

RE: Intercooler Leaking?
 

egon, i'm not sure you're going to see
any good evidence looking at the plugs
or exhaust. maybe the oil like 2L8 says,
if it's discolored enough....

the only sure fire way to tell, would be
doing a leakdown test of the core

RE: Intercooler Leaking?
 

Thanks everyone for the suggestions. Oil looks good right now. I'll keep and eye on it, and if it keeps dropping I'll do a leak down test.

Cheers!