I recently acquired a used GRS intercooler.

I've been noticing around the supercharger side horn there is a lot of oil coming from the rubber coupling. I tightened it down without overtightening for fear of tearing/cracking the coupling.

Has anybody else had this issue?
I'm planning on picking up a new rubber coupling as soon as the funds are availablle to perhaps solve the leak.

This is causing quite a bit of a boost leak that's disconcerting.

next question, would it be good to look into an oil catch can? I'm just really surprised that this much oil is coming thru since i never noticed the stock IC nor my ALTA V2 having even half the amount of oil im seeing leaking thru.

thoughts?
TIA
-glen

 

I have had a GRS IC as well for few months now and have no issues. I know this doesn't help you but as far as the leaking problem your having..... I haven't noticed anything in regards to that on mine.

 

thanks, good to know that yours is working fine. i'll wait to see if others will chime in but i talked to someone a few mins ago and it seems that the coupling probably stretched a bit when i had the ALTA v2

 

I also have the GRS and have not noticed any oil leaking anywhere.Q

 

When I was running mine I had no leaks at all, as sound as the pound new boots should fix it, as for an OCC by all means I'd run one, done right it can't hurt.

 

Have had the GRS since July using the stock boots and no known problems.
FWIW: this is the fourth IC on the original boots....

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really?! eeenteresting... what IC's have you had?

oh yeah, what version GRS IC do you guys have?

i have the first without the lips. theyre smooth from the IC body to the opening. ive heard later versions have a lip

 

I had a similar oil seepage using the stock IC, when I had it mounted only using the rear 2 brackets (long story). Without the support of the front mounts, the vibration caused the IC to wiggle enough that the IC inlet got deformed slightly under the IC boot clamps and apparently allowed a bit of air (& oil) to leak out. I think these big top mount ICs like the GRS use only the boots to hold them in place, so you might have the same problem.

I made a front mounting bracket to reduce vibration and now use the Alta IC boot on the inlet side, and it seals up good. Not sure if there is anyway to give the GRS a more solid mounting. Look to see if the GRS inlet horn has taken a slight indentation from the boot clamps.

 

yeah, the GRS IC i have only mounts to the front 2 mounting screws, no rear.

that might be an issue as well. maybe i can fab up a couple of clamps to hold down more securely as well as new boots.

 

Yep... I'm running the GRS and have no oil leaks. I threw a code about a month after doing the install... the dealer did a Throttle Body replacement, but mentioned that a contributing factor might have been an air leak at the intercooler gaskets. I picked up the Alta silicone boots and haven't had a problem since.

 

Hey I have the old version without the lip too and got it on ebay for $500.

 

thats weird glen... i havent noticed it much... but the underside did have that problem too, i didn't really think much of it

i think its time to think about new couplers... do you have a boost gauge? you can always check if there's actual boost leak by just checking your peak with your current peak

 

no boost guage herman... i'll get the new couplers first. im more than positive that'll solve the problem. how's the v2 treatin ya?

 

v2 is good, just it seems to be rubbing my paint off in one corner, i put some foam tape on there and wait till the spring to find out whats going on

 

cool man. i'll do the same with the GRS

 

GLNR13 -

In response to your question: Like everyone else, I started with the stock IC on my 3/04 build MCS. In Summer, 2005, I installed a used GRS IC. I went back to stock in January, 2006 for two months before reinstalling the GRS in March, 2006. Not yet done, I sold the GRS and installed the M7 DFIC in July, 2007 and removed it in August, 2007 when I decided that I really liked the GRS and bought a new one. One of the reasons being, the GRS, as a side benefit, changed the exhaust note on my Milltek catback. Both of my teenage boys noticed the deeper, throatier sound when compared to the other ICs. This may seem ridiculously subjective in nature, but quite frankly, I guess you can say it is part of the equation for our choice in parts...

Both GRS that I have owned do not have the lip.

As to the question of mounting the GRS, my IC is held in place strictly by the IC couplers. The front mount holes have rubber inserts and they rest on the mount holes for the stock IC. I have had no problems to date with this arrangement.

hope this all helps....

 

thanx spirit16

 

Hey one other thought would be to try the silicone boots we offer. (If the rubber is the issue.) They can be a bit of a bear to get on in some cases but once they are, no leaks!

Also, one other tip, we have noticed that some of the OEM two piece clamps can get worn over time and sometimes loose their oopmh. Might check those too!

Let me know if I can help further!

 

thanks adam. it seems that the alta boots are cheaper than the OEM from the dealer... looks like i'll be picking up the alta boots.

 

As Adam said they can be a wee bit tight so be careful not to cut them on the blower horns when you're putting them on.

 

good advice

 

Did you clean the IC before you installed it? Since it was a used unit, maybe there was oil already in it.
I've had my V1 GRS (no lip,no diverter) for a long time and have had no oil/boot issues. I installed 6mm studs in the front mounts and use nylock nuts for a somewhat flexible mount. I have heard of the mounting tabs on the IC cracking or breaking when tightened down fully.

Jim

 

while it was sent to me clean, i cleaned it again before installing it so there shouldnt have been any residue.

 

Ah! Good. It was just a thought.
If you go with the silicone boots, try soaking them in HOT water for 10-15 minutes so they stretch easier.

Jim

 

yeah, ive read that that helps a lot... as well as a hair dryer