1.9CDTi Intercooler problem

[Vectra Meldrew]

I noticed some oil around the plastic guard under the rads so checked to see where its coming from. Looks like the intercooler as it has some oil on it and its distorted and swollen along the bottom edge - actually it looks ready to explode
I removed the o/s hose to the intercooler expecting to find loads of oil but only found a thin film of it in there.
Do intercoolers cause many problems on these? Car is running perfect

[barney490]

Personally havent heard of many problems, the intercooler carries air (from the turbo to the intake manifold), not oil and i suspect if there is oil in there, it might indicate that the turbo seals may be going and allowing oil into the air stream. Is it a high mileage car?

[John LE]

Yep it wouldn't be the first intercooler to split buddy. Time to budget for a new one

[Telly Addict]

Quite a few on here have had their intercooler let go on their CDTi's, I would expect it to spring a leak soon if it looks that bad.

[barney490]

Guys, are we talking turbo intercooler or oil cooler here?

[John LE]

Turbo intercooler mate

Oh and it's normal to have a mist of oil in the intercooler. It's oil vapour from the turbo

[barney490]

I bow to your superior knowledge John.

Doffs cap,,,,,

[LADmachining]

Turbo intercooler mate

Oh and it's normal to have a mist of oil in the intercooler. It's oil vapour from the turbo

The oil can also come from the engine breather, which puts any oil mist from the crankcase back into the intake.

[GazVXLINE170]

Mines literally ripped itself in 2 £470 to have it replaced.

Gazza4

[Vectra Meldrew]

Mines literally ripped itself in 2 £470 to have it replaced.

Gazza4

£470 !! Can I just fix it up with some chewing gum & gaffa tape?

Well Barney, it's done 150,000 so just run-in really, hoping for at least another 100,000 out of it.

I'll check the breathers later to see if they're blocked up. Could that pressurise the intercooler and make it balloon up like that?