VAG 1.9tdi PD possible oil leak?
Discussion
Hello all,
I posted this in the VAG forum but haven't had a reply so thought I'd ask the mechanicly minded people in here
I changed the engine oil and filter yesterday on my 56 plate 1.9tdi PD 100bhp VW Polo and noticed what appears to be an oil leak. It looks like oil is blowing out of the pipe going to the intercooler. From the direction that the oil has "sprayed" I assume that the air is forced by the turbo down to the intercooler entering it at the top, and returns to the engine intake via another pipe that I cannot see as its underneath all the covers etc. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
Should I be concerned with this? The engine is on approx 75,000miles, I've owned it since around 8,000. Under my ownership I've serviced it religously, quality engine oil and VW filter every 12months plus fuel/air filter/cambelt etc as and when required. Its had an easy life, mainly motorway use and isn't "thrashed" at all.
The engine doesn't appear to use much oil at all, I top it up maybe once a year in between oil changes, if that. I'm hoping its not something to do with the turbo (knackered seals?) as I'm guessing that will not be a cheap fix. The car pulls fine and drives well.
Any help/advice greatly appreciated, over to the experts
I posted this in the VAG forum but haven't had a reply so thought I'd ask the mechanicly minded people in here
I changed the engine oil and filter yesterday on my 56 plate 1.9tdi PD 100bhp VW Polo and noticed what appears to be an oil leak. It looks like oil is blowing out of the pipe going to the intercooler. From the direction that the oil has "sprayed" I assume that the air is forced by the turbo down to the intercooler entering it at the top, and returns to the engine intake via another pipe that I cannot see as its underneath all the covers etc. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
Should I be concerned with this? The engine is on approx 75,000miles, I've owned it since around 8,000. Under my ownership I've serviced it religously, quality engine oil and VW filter every 12months plus fuel/air filter/cambelt etc as and when required. Its had an easy life, mainly motorway use and isn't "thrashed" at all.
The engine doesn't appear to use much oil at all, I top it up maybe once a year in between oil changes, if that. I'm hoping its not something to do with the turbo (knackered seals?) as I'm guessing that will not be a cheap fix. The car pulls fine and drives well.
Any help/advice greatly appreciated, over to the experts
Dont panic 
try rotating the hose clip around on the hose its leaking a little, the trouble is most TD vehicles also run the engine crankcase breather into the intake pipes and over an extended period it accumulates as an oily film in the Inter-cooler & hoses its usually sucked in an burnt in the combustion process 
it can also point to a worn turbo or a tired engine if really excessive 
but this would also show up has an unusual appetite for oil too.
try rotating the hose clip around on the hose its leaking a little, the trouble is most TD vehicles also run the engine crankcase breather into the intake pipes and over an extended period it accumulates as an oily film in the Inter-cooler & hoses its usually sucked in an burnt in the combustion process it can also point to a worn turbo or a tired engine if really excessive but this would also show up has an unusual appetite for oil too. Sardonicus said:
Dont panic try rotating the hose clip around on the hose its leaking a little, the trouble is most TD vehicles also run the engine crankcase breather into the intake pipes and over an extended period it accumulates as an oily film in the Inter-cooler & hoses its usually sucked in an burnt in the combustion process it can also point to a worn turbo or a tired engine if really excessive but this would also show up has an unusual appetite for oil too.
Cheers for the reply, much appreciated try rotating the hose clip around on the hose its leaking a little, the trouble is most TD vehicles also run the engine crankcase breather into the intake pipes and over an extended period it accumulates as an oily film in the Inter-cooler & hoses its usually sucked in an burnt in the combustion process it can also point to a worn turbo or a tired engine if really excessive but this would also show up has an unusual appetite for oil too. If this is the case, I might try taking off the intake pipes and cleaning out the insides if they are going to be covered in oily cack.
The engine isn't using oil, so at least I know this isn't a sign of impending doom
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