[The_Ghost]

Question for the powers that be. On the bottom of the intercooler is a hose. Is this hose removable? I was going to pull it off and make sure my intercooler isn’t filled with oil. I know the easier way would be to remove the IC pipe from the turbo and check for tracks. But I figured if it’s going to take an hour, I might as well get to the “bottom” of it and see if there is enough oil that it will drip out of the intercooler. If so, then I will be calling DDM and ordering a catch can….

 

[TX08manualGXP]

i think there's a plug on the bottom. I've been meaning to check mine and just haven;t done it yet.

 

[SkyPilot]

This one?

 

[The_Ghost]

Yep....that hose!

 

[TX08manualGXP]

so what about the alleged plug? should I look for it ot just remove the hose?

 

[The_Ghost]

Paging Soup or RobtheElder...come in Soup....come in RobtheElder...

I don't believe there is a drain plug on the bottom of it. I've been under my car about 20 times already and everytime I look at the IC because I'm waiting for it to split....LOL... I'm just wondering if I can pull that hose off and put it back on.....

 

[TX08manualGXP]

Rob is the one that told me to check the drain plug. I hope someone responds. this weekend is scheduled for auto repair and I really want to check it out. I have OK / so so / good low RPM torque but sometimes when I get about 3400 RPM, the thing takes off like someone just hit the nitrous button. wonder if this could be IC related.

http://www.solsticeforum.com/forum/f43/boost-seems-delayed-76322/

 

[DaveOC]

Rob is the one that told me to check the drain plug. I hope someone responds. this weekend is scheduled for auto repair and I really want to check it out. I have OK / so so / good low RPM torque but sometimes when I get about 3400 RPM, the thing takes off like someone just hit the nitrous button. wonder if this could be IC related.

I don't see anything that might be a plug other than maybe #25, unfortunately there is no part number or description listed for #25.

Note that there are 2 - #25, on on the left side of the bottom of the intercooler, and another one near the center of the intercooler. Maybe this will give you an idea of where to look? :dunno:

EDIT: Never mind . . . #25 is a spring clip with a nut attached as I see upon further review. No plugs in sight.

 

[LatinVenom]

The hose was added to take care of condensation on the IC.
That is the purpose of the hose.
Yes you can take it off but unless is broken why would you want to.

 

[The_Ghost]

Guess I wanna see how much oil I have in it because I get a lot of oil residue on my exhaust....

 

[kwtoxman]

That exhaust residue is typical DI staining. It is of no concern.

 

[TomatoSoup]

Sorry, I came in late here... I would look for oil in the top intake tubes first (pass. side). Much easier than grubbing under your car. If you pull the top rubber hose at the aluminum tube and run your finger inside and it comes out wet with oil, you have an issue. Then if you do, the first thing I'd check is the plastic check valve on the intake tube from the air cleaner (in blue below). Make sure it hasn't got gummed up and is stuck open. If it is, wash it out with alcohol.

 

[TX08manualGXP]

so there's no way to check and see if you have moisture / water in the IC? I know if I leave air in my compressor tank, it will fill up quite a bit over time. is it good practice to remove it and inspect / clean after so many miles?

 

[rob the elder]

My understanding is that one of the functions of the hose is to collect condensation and get it out of the intercooler core when sitting stationary. If you are driving on a cold, wet day and park with the IC in a freezing environment its remotely possible that the trapped water could form ice and damage the IC cooling tubes. The hose is lower so water would tend to flow there, and it will expand if ice forms without damaging the IC.

I looked at mine several times but never pulled it off . .. I mean, how much water could there be in there?

Then I read about the failures of the charge air coolers for the F 150s. In fact they had to redesign the entire charge air system because when driving under load in high humidity environments, the IC would condense significant amounts of water that would periodically get blasted into the intake and cause rough running. In some instances the water was significant enough to cause the ECM to shut down the motor.

Since reading that, if I lived in a very wet environment and was doing extended running I would want to take a look at the hose and see how much water (or oil) was really in there.

 

[TX08manualGXP]

I would have never thought water could get trapped in there but a couple months ago, I went to paint a tailgate and my paint had a bunch of water in it. I read that my ait tank could have moisture in it so I opened up the drain plug and I swear, over half a gallon of water came out. on out cars, I don't think the IC stays pressurized so I doube much could get trapped in there but I doubt it would cause much water vapor to cause the engine to run poorly. My car seems to have good days and bad days. sometimes it really takes off and has tons of torque and sometimes, the power just isn't there.

 

[The_Ghost]

Rob tjat is my point...but nobody can tell me if I can pull that hose off and put it back on without issues.

 

[rob the elder]

Yes, you can. Go forth and pull your hose my son.

I have seen other members who have removed the hose, drained out fluids and reinstalled it with no issues or problems.:agree:

 

[SolNut]

Looks like a Marketing 101 project.:thumbs:.....IC Hose Drain adapter!!! (includes drain petcock and clamps) YMMV

 

[LatinVenom]

Whatever condensation gets into the hose it would probably evaporate over time.

 

[GS Stage 1]

The hose just has a GM snap ring (if I remember correctly, may actually be a true hose clamp) on either end. Once you have the plastic shroud off, it takes about one minute to move the clamp and pull the hose off of the inlet pipe.

Edit: Come to think of it; if it is just a stupid snap ring, this would be a possible air leak in the charge system. Another good opportunity to replace with a small t-clamp.