Oil found in the intercooler? Bad?

[irishs2]

Would a build up of oil in the ic be a sign of an oil leak on the cold side of the turbo, or is it ok for a bit of oil to build up over time. (just a layer of oil along the bottom of the ic)

Would the only down side of this be emissions (regarding passing nct) or would the leak affect oil pressure around the turbo and cause cat failure ?

[S2central.net]

Its normal unfort... side effect of crapy PCV system on the S2/RS2 - lets too much oil vapour / blowby recirculate and the intercooler becomes the catch tank.

[EspenW]

That is oil mist from the crankcase ventilation system that has collected in the IC over a period of time. Perfectly normal, but it lowers the heat transfer ability of the IC. I'm pulling my IC this weekend in order to clean it out and do the Mark H mod

[irishs2]

Cool, thanks.

[S2central.net]

Now see - where else would you get two complementing replies from different parts of the world within 3 minutes of your question ?

[Costash]

Have same problem but is a bit to much oil I think .In my opinion I need a new turbo oil seals because I have a bit of smoke when start the engine til it's warming up and after that it's ok.What do you think guys?

[lini]

I'd say smoke comes from valve seals.

[irishs2]

Its great to get such a quick response. Double shotted even better. Nope I have no smoke

[ranz]

I'd say smoke comes from valve seals.

x1
I had same problem, but after I changed the seals, it's all OK.

[Tommy200rs]

the morning sickness (blue smoke right after start) could be due to :
- nice driving habits with full boost previous day. ~close 1.7 to 1.9+ bar overboost and repeat that many times on autobahn
- oil level filled to maximum mark
- or the valve seals óld and hard
- or too old piston rings (worn engine and above) & flow by-pass

remedy 1:
make a catch tank (with K&N tank filter) for crankcase ventilation and connect ist so that the flow is not any more going to the entry of the turbo. Do not use this in winter because the catch tank will get frozen. It might get frozen even when thermo insulated (the moist air wants to get out). The risk for ping is reduced in worn engine with less or no oil in inlett flow path ...

remedy 2
fix the worn engine and use less boost & have less fun ....

cyclone thread also in s2 forum somewhere ....

" Cyclones are often used for separating particles from liquids and for separating liquid droplets from gases. The cyclone is a settling chamber in the form of a vertical cylinder, so arranged that the particle-laden air spirals round the cylinder to create centrifugal forces which throw the particles to the outside walls. Added to the gravitational forces, the centrifugal action provides reasonably rapid settlement rates. The spiral path, through the cyclone, provides sufficient separation time. "

these cyclone links from internet:

http://images.google.fi/imgres?imgurl=http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e3/Cyclone_separator.svg/275px-Cyclone_separator.svg.png&imgrefurl=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyclonic_separation&usg=__59-VJ5i9DZWqOLrpnrbk9dlHmUU=&h=619&w=275&sz=41&hl=fi&start=2&tbnid=9MJRePx4D1JXkM:&tbnh=136&tbnw=60&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dcyclone%2Boil%2Bseparator%26gbv%3D2%26ndsp%3D21%26hl%3Dfi%26sa%3DN

http://images.google.fi/imgres?imgurl=http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/attachments/spider-1966-up/102730d1210810913-oil-vapor-separator-horror-show-pt-1-oilvaphorror3.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.alfabb.com/bb/forums/spider-1966-up/80896-oil-vapor-separator-horror-show-pt-1-a-4.html&usg=__h_PBAEGM-FfEX743CFntIGTkphQ=&h=336&w=448&sz=47&hl=fi&start=36&tbnid=JGWa6M1YCCh6_M:&tbnh=95&tbnw=127&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dcyclone%2Boil%2Bseparator%26gbv%3D2%26ndsp%3D21%26hl%3Dfi%26sa%3DN%26start%3D21

note the separator links (alfa thread from andy303)

[|Maku|]

Original equipment engine ventilation systems are not designed for increased horsepower or track use. Most owners don't realize the damage being done when increasing turbo boost or during hard driving. The increased boost and G-force can draw oil from the original vent system into the intake tract. This oil then causes rapid wear of piston rings and spark plugs and causes carbon buildup on piston tops. Many times people find oil in their intake plumbing or intercoolers and have no idea where it came from. An other sign can be a puff of smoke during or at start up after a drive.

2Bennett's proprietary multi-chambered centrifugal condensing unit is one key stage of the system. 2Bennett ventilation systems redirect the flow of vented vapors through new redesigned plumbing. This slows the velocity causing less suction and oil vapor to be drawn into the system to begin with. Any remaining vaporized oil is condensed and stored for easy removal from a self contained drainable reservoir. 2Bennett systems are direct bolt on for customer or technician installation. Hardware and full instructions are included.

Not a catch can, a crankcase ventilation system.

All systems are available now.. Your engine is too valuable to use anything less.


LINK

[UrS4boy]

.... This oil then causes rapid wear of piston rings ...

Okay, I am confused. How does oil cause rapid wear of piston rings. I'll buy carbon build up on the piston top (maybe) but are you suggesting the same thing happens to the piston rings? Isn't there oil between the rings and the cylinder walls all the time?

[kwlw]

Okay, I am confused. How does oil cause rapid wear of piston rings. I'll buy carbon build up on the piston top (maybe) but are you suggesting the same thing happens to the piston rings? Isn't there oil between the rings and the cylinder walls all the time?

Maybe carbon quantity and particle sizes are different?

Sau