Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Leaking Intercooler?

[JaMan]

Checked tonight and have a leak in the intercooler on the driverside front center of the cooler. How much boost leak is too much? Has any one seen this problem?





Jared

 

[JFinke]

Any leak is to much. It will never get better and probably get worse. It will eventuall let the turbo overspool and come apart.

 

[JaMan]

Can say a radiator shop fix the leak or is more involved?

 

[JaMan]

Noone ever had a intercooler leak? I guess 50-70psi doesn't do it? Man only me ! I could f*** up a bowling ball with a feather!!!





Jared

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Oh heck yeah. Quite a few have split wide open too. Here's a hin't

or leads I should say on a couple.





One



two





New from a dealer is 712. 00 OUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[JaMan]

Can they be fixed, it seems like a slight leak?

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

I do not know of anyone having one successfully being repaired.

 

[jhinkle]

Had one go to leaking and took it to the local cumnis dealer and they send it to a radiator shop got it fixed. That was two years ago still not leaking.

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Jared, By the way when you leak checked it did you seal off the other end? and what pundage did you go to and how fast did it drop? (Kinda wanna get a feel as I am going to check mine soon ... I have a hunch. )

 

[JaMan]

I took a 4" pvc pipecap (4" I think?) and drilled a hole in the end for a valve stem off a tire, put it in the intercooler boot right off of the turbo and aired it up. Not sure what psi but it was enough to hear the leak. This is how I found the previous leak at the grid heater, but at that time I figured that was the only one. Thought about it last night and your boost gage should tell you what psi it is at. But with a leak you have to be fast to look in the cab! Thinking about pluging the other end so there is no leak by the valves. Hope it can be fixed at a radiator shop on friday.





Jared

 

[ToolManTimTaylor]

Originally posted by JaMan

Thinking about pluging the other end so there is no leak by the valves. Hope it can be fixed at a radiator shop on friday.





Jared

THAT is why I was asking if you plugged the other end valve overlap will show a leak

 

[CFast]

you have to plug one end off. You need a gauge to see how much air you put in. usaully 30lbs is enough. don't keep the air on constantly, air it up and stop the supply then see how much it leaks. Different makes and models of ATA coolers have different specs. take a soapy bottle of water and spray it around the edges of the ATA. Where it's welded to the sides, it usually leaks around there, more than the middle. We check these all the time at work. I can't remember ever having one fixed, we usually install new ones. a small leak will never get better, but it might take along time to get bad enough to change, it's up to you, and your wallet.

 

[JaMan]

WSell I offically have some JB weld holding my truck together. Found that the leak was where the tube went into the tank, so I tried to remove it for repair, BUT... because the ranchhaqnd front replacement is welded on it became a large job so I got to plinkin' I removed thr fins right around the leaking tube and cleaned the joint with a wire brush, and sealed it up with JB Weld, let it sit several hours and checked the preasure and it is holding good for now. Hopefully this will be the end of the leaking intercooler! Total cost: $7 and change. So far cheaper than $700 dollars, heck I saved enough for a dodgezilla turbo, but will the JB Weld hold 45psi I guess I'll jujst have to wait and find out!





Thanks Jared

 

[GatorRam]

Did it hold?

 

[JaMan]

It held but a new hole came up under neath another tube I fixed on the pass. side. This sucks I need a new intrecooler of some sort, any Ideas?



Jared

 

[Bob Wagner]

I am picking up an extra intercooler tomorrow, let me take a look at it and I will send you a pm.



HTH

 

[DuallRam]

wondering how you found the leek. I have some kind of an air leek. I pressurized the intercooler and didn't hear anything. when I drive the truck I hear the leak with only 5 lbs of boost. I cant figure out where its coming from