This past weekend I took a long drive to cars and coffee at Canepa Design. Once I arrived I noticed some white smoke coming out of the hood. I opened up the hood to find a leaky coolant tank, which was inevitable, but I also saw what looks like oil directly underneath the intercooler.

Any ideas if this is just simply an issue of leaky intercooler seals? Or am I in for more trouble?

The car recently (within the last 500miles) had a installed a new water pump, thermostat, timing chain, radiator, oil change and top end rebuild. I noticed too that the oil consumption seems a bit high. It has about 98k miles on the car too.

I plan to replace the coolant tank this weekend myself and was going to take off and check for cracks on the intercooler.

Any other advice or direction would be hugely appreciated.

 

due to the PVC system, unfortunalty oil will pool up in the intercooler boots. this can be solved by adding in a catch can. usually it just gets sucked in by the motor and burnt with some pooling in the boots and the intercooler.


seems like yours hasn't been off in a while and has found it self a way out. the seal may not be good enough, which mean you could have a boost leak, but unless you have a boost gauge. its hard to tell if your leaking. most people pull the IC off and clean it every few years. it doesn't pile up quick. but if its nevere been done in nearly 100k I could see this happening

 

Here is a good DIY tech article that should help you when you go to replace your coolant tank. As far as the leak, was the work recently performed DIY or by a shop? Definitely inspect further once you go to perform the replacement of the tank.

-Luccia

 

you guys are awesome. Thank you.

Sounds like I should order some new boots for the weekend adventure. I might order an M7 oil catch can as well while I am at it.

All the work on the car has been done by mini dealerships until the most recent service, which was done by a well respected independent shop.

 

If you come to find it isn't what is listed here, might have luck taking it back to them and making sure it isn't related to any work they have done. I assume they provide a warranty with their work. It's an option as well. Good luck!

-Luccia

 

Yea,

The boots are here, sounds like pooling oil. You can take off the intercooler and clean it while you are at it.

Rubber Boot For Intercooler Inlet - Driver Side ( Left ) 17517639960


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/17517639960/




&

Rubber Boot For Intercooler Inlet - Passenger Side ( Right ) 17517639959


http://www.ecstuning.com/Search/SiteSearch/17517639959/

 

Good stuff. Ill order some now.

On a side note, I've noticed with city driving the, I assume, radiator fan likes to run for a while after I turn off the car. I assume the intercooler clean up and coolant tank replacement should help with this issue?

The temp gauge is right smack in the middle and there thermometer was just replaced, so I assume it is correct and not overheating.

 

Its runs a little after when its hot / humid or when you have the a/c on all the time.

 

I changed out the coolant tank this weekend following the Pelican Parts page. It was easy enough. The intercooler driver side boot ended up either improperly re-assembled or the clamps loosened up over time. I replaced both rubber boots since I was there and cleaned out the intercooler. Its like I am driving new car.

Thanks again for the help.

 

Fabulous! Glad we were able to help!

-Luccia