oil around the cold side flange on the intercooler

sleeper3

Member
:
2008 Mazdaspeed 3 GT
anyone else experienced this? I have the upgraded top mount and I have no idea where the oil would be coming from.


HELP!
 
You need to teflon tape those bolts. Mine did the same thing until I did that. Ive talked to several people about it and theirs do the same thing. Not a big deal. Its the oil from your intake manifold.
 
i'm lost.... what flange on the intercooler ? how could oil from the intake manifold get into the IC
 
well to me, it seems like if oil is seeping out from the intake tract, oil must be in my intake tract. don't you think?
 
I think I'm also going to get a sheet of aluminum and try to cut a shroud out that fits better than the trash that came with that intercooler. it doesn't even come close to flush on one of the sides.
 
I agree, but I think with a seal, the cooling effect will be helped a lot. especially since the core is making contact with the ducting on the hood. something has got to be there to force the air through the fins. I'm going to see what I can make up. I was also thinking about getting a sheet of hard plastic to make it... like the stock one has.
 
i am still not understanding where you guys are saying this oil is comming from. what bolts are you taping up ? the only way i can think oil would be in the IC is if you get a lot of blow by through the PCv breather and it goes through the whole system.
 
did you install any of the stuff you have on your car?

all of it except the exhaust manifold... i think i'm just missing something. i cant think of a spot on my IC where oil could get in through bolt holes, and where teflon tape would help. an explanation would be nice rather than sarcasm.
 
it wasn't sarcasm, I just was wondering because I thought saying "the cold side flange" made it 100% obvious what I was talking about, and it seemed like others did too. I see that you haven't done your intercooler yet though, so maybe that is why you don't know what I am talking about. It is coming from where the intercooler bolts to the cold pipe directly above the intake manifold. there are four bolt holes on the ETS piece that go all the way through.
 
Oil in the intake is usually from the PCV (positive crankcase ventilation) valve. I don't know where the PCV is located on the mazdaspeeds as I just bought mine and have not messed around under the hood yet. It opens when the pressure in the intake is less than the pressure in the crankcase and can suck oil up into the intake. If you want to keep it from leaking out, install the screws in question "wet" with blue oil safe RTV sealant. Teflon tape degrades when exposed to petroleum products. NEVER use it on brake lines.
 
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OK, now i know what part you are refering too, but... if those holes go all the way through the IC, and you have oil comming out of them, wouldnt you think air is leaking out too ?? i have had that piece off before, but i didnt look to see if the holes went into the IC itself. if so that is just a stupid ass design ! anf if there is oil in your IC ...you need a catch can for sure !
 
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