Today I opened my hood showing off my new mini with 800 miles on it. To my surprise, the turbo inlet hose (I think that is the name), was almost completely off the flange. Please see attached photo, the arrow is pointing the hose connection I am referring too, of course this photo has the hose completlely seated. There was about a 1/8" gap or so at the largest point, that is to the flange end. Could I have done any type of damage to anything (turbo, engine, exhause)? I really have no idea when it came off. It seems to be running normal but did notice degraded performance and odd shifting during a short 5 or so mile drive about an hour or so prior to noticing this. I loosened the hose clamp, put the hose back on, started tightening the clamp and crazy thing started coming off again. There was a minute amount of adjustment in the clamp position to move it closer to the turbo so I loosened, moved it and retightend. It seemed to stay but applying very little pressure in the motion to remove the hose caused it to move. Has anyone seen this problem or issue? What could be my problem? I did a search on here but only found small references to an Alta hose that had what seemed to be the same problem. Why doesn't the turbo inlet flange have a small ridge to help hold the hose on (maybe for air flow reasons that it is not there???).

Not sure how it got there but I did notice a thin coating of oil on the flange, this could be contributing. Could this oil have been there or got on there from the hose coming off? I have not cleaned this off yet, waiting for feedback.

If you noticed in the photo, I am giving myself some extra insurance with a string that is helping hold the hose on. Not the classiest thing to do but I don't want it to come off?

Any help would greatly be appreciated.

 

Strange for an inlet hose to want to come off. Turbo cars normally have this issue right before or after the intercooler due to the pressure change and velocity change.

In this situation I would take it to the dealer because you have the warranty.

Out of warranty (like my current turbo dodge) I would clean a COLD turbo inlet with rubbing alcohol as well as the hose from the air cleaner and make sure the clamp is seated over the metal of the turbo and not slightly off the end of the inlet. The clamp should also be as close to the end of the hose and turbo as it will go. If that does not fix it I would have to see the installation for myself.

 

Replace it with ALTA's . It made a good increase in power.

 

I had the exact same problem. I took the hose off, cleaned it and the recieving surface.....it still kept coming off. I then used a file and scored the recieving surace to create better friction....still kept coming off. Finally I loosened all the clamps along the tube. Then I tightened the clamp at the turbo first. Next I ever so slightly twisted the tube counter clockwise to put a "pre-load" on the pipe towards the turbo and tightened the clamp at the MAF and so on. I havent had a problem since.

 

you can go to napa and get some spring loaded t clamps.. it will hold for sure with those clamps on and they are fairly inexpensive. Around 2.50 each. Steve

 

I agree with steve there. T-Bolt clamps should cure that problem. But it sounds like the lip on the turbo side is not rolled enough thus causing it to come of. Or the rubber hose is expanding under pressure(when you hit the gas) and causing it to come off.