My 2005 Cooper S is occasionally throwing a P1498 code (CEL and EML lights on) when the rpms drop to around 800. When I restart the car, it usually disappears. The car drives completely fine, no stuttering or anything, just the lights. Anyways, I'd recently dropped the car off to the shop for a clutch job, and this problem started happening after that. I popped the hood and poked around and saw they had pinched the intercooler boots while reinstalling it. I removed the IC and reinstalled the boots myself correctly, but I'm still getting the code on occasion.

I have no idea how old the IC boots are. They look OEM, and I'm not sure if they have ever been changed. They are easy to slip onto the intercooler (maybe a little too easy?). I'm not sure if they are sealing correctly. I sprayed them with soapy water while the engine is running to check, but I saw no bubbling. I am still skeptical though. Before I pull the front end off and check the intake tube, etc. anyone have any other suggestions on checking these boots? I'm guessing this leak must be very small since it's intermittent.

 

I don’t think P1498 involves the intercooler:
https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...ault-mean.html

There are many other threads that address that code. You can search the forum for the code to find the discussions. Might help with a fix.

 

?? Went through the threads and a leaky intercooler boot does seem to be a possible cause of the code though. Just want to rule it out before ripping the car apart.

Maybe someone could tell me how tight the boots should be? They do seem to slip on very easily.

 

@Husky44 and I were going back and forth with a bit of speculation about that code yesterday here. He may have some more insight about the boots.

 

Subscribed. Tempted to just replace the IC boots to see if the problem goes away. Red silicone boots are looking really nice at $30 or so I'd rather not though if it isn't the issue.

 

I pulled the IC boots off again and took a closer look at them. After washing them, I noticed the boots have very small almost unnoticeable cracks along the middle part. Maybe the issue? Or part of it? I just ordered a pair of new boots so hopefully that fixes the issue.

 

possibly a contributing factor but when rubber gets to that point, it's replacement time anyway.

 

I want to do an update since I replaced the boots with the m7 silicone ones, and it's been a couple hundred miles. The car definitely pulls harder, and I can hear the supercharger whine more. I'm pretty certain the stock ones were leaking. The light still goes off intermittently, but the frequency is definitely less. It usually stays off during city driving. In the past two hundred miles I've had the new boots on, I've seen the EML light flash twice, and it's always been when driving in the parking garage.

So I am sure I have another small vacuum leak somewhere, but after replacing the IC boots it's become rare enough that I don't care to do anything about it immediately. (If this is a bad idea someone please call me out) I'll order the $50-60 worth of gaskets and seals and buy some RTV, and next time I'm bored and have a couple hours I'll go through, pull the front end off, and replace them. For now I'm leaving it be though.

 

Try judicious squirts of starter fluid around suspicious areas. If it's sucked in, rpm's will go up.

 

Isn't that a little sketchy 😅??

 

Not at all! It’s and old hot rodders trick for find8nh vacuum leaks

 

Well, I'll give it a shot soon then!

 

Really old school is using carb cleaner.