intercooler pipes about to blow??

sniper · Feb 26, 2005

Just had my 993 turbo serviced. Apparently the intercooler pipes may blow at high pressure accoring to the service mechanic.

I am still ok to drive it? is it a big job? any comments would be much appreciated.

Sniper

vic cohen · Feb 26, 2005

If u mean the 2 big pipes running down from the intercooler to each turbo????They modified them to a stiffer material so they did nt tear, usually at the ends , under stress. Sometimes they leak ,and ur engine cointrol [yellow] dash light comes on or if they pop off can make the brain turn the whole thing off!
The modified ones dont cost a fortuen , bit awkward but cud fit urself...........................hope that helps .

Guest · Feb 26, 2005

If you drive it gently, you won't have any turbo pressure, so they won't blow.
If they do blow, then you will lose pressure. This is no different to the waste gate opening, although it will not be what the engine management is expecting. It monitors the boost, so the fuelling should be in accordance with the air flow, as the air flow meter comes after the intercoolers (as far as I know).
The only real issue I can see with driving it if they do split, is that the engine will try to suck air in through the split when the turbos are off boost. This air will not have gone through the air filter, so could contain dust, grit, etc. Any grit getting into the engine will be bad for wear, especially since you are going to suck it straight into the cylinder.

Whilst it is not split, I would say you could drive it gently, say down to the garage to get them replaced. But once they actually go, then I would not drive it, and get it trailored (or DIY at home).

sniper · Feb 27, 2005

Thanks for advice guys - going to give the mechanic a ring on Monday to see what the situation is. Not going to drive the car until it sorted.

Ian Donkin · Mar 1, 2005

Whilst not a 993TT, I recently had to have the turbo to intercooler pipe replaced on my Turbo 2 as it was leaking under full load - the pipe, a little bit of silicon impregnated rubber, cost an outrageous £170!!!

Ouch.

sniper · Mar 3, 2005

I know - I dread to think how much a bit of rubber costs.

vic cohen · Mar 4, 2005

Try replacing old metal alloy 930 waste gate pipes, half as long and £700 ish.............for what goes on and the pressures they survive, reckon as turbo parts go these pipes are chaep!

bones · Mar 4, 2005

Have you looked into the possibility of replacing these and other engine hoses with the correct Aeroquip hose. It's less expensive than OEM stuff looks better and it's performance is second to none.
http://www.thinkauto.com/

speed · Mar 20, 2005

sniper

I have a 993 tt and on the way home today it blew the intercooler pipe on the offside intercooler. As I look into fixing it, getting it fixed, I would be interested in any information / ideas you found with your problem.

S

Ninemeister · Mar 20, 2005

The biggest problem with these pipes blowing off is damage and oil. If you remove them for rework, because turbo engines always fill their air pipes with oil they tend to get refitted with an oil film on the sealing faces. In order to stop them blowing off in a lubricated state many technicians then overtighten the pipes, which then damages the ends.

If in doubt buy new ones as suggested, make sure they are fitted totally dry & that the pipes they are clamped onto are also dry, clean with brake cleaner or meths if you want to make sure. This makes the rubber pipe a lot more difficult to fit but ensures that they stay in place during use.

FLAT-SIXY · Mar 21, 2005

God i almost had a heart atack when this first hapened to me,the cars dash lit up like a christmas tree, and had to do 30mph on the A 14 until i found a layby. The first time it hapened to me was because the pipes end was perished due to the pressure hose clamps being too tight. Then it had to go back to porsche to be done again two weeks later because the car was losing boost pressure due to the hose sliping off again. Make sure they get rid of all that oil! This is what my invoice stating the work required, Removed OSR wheel also removed intercooler,remove air box and removed old pressure hose, fitted new hose as required. The total for the work at porsche centre cambridge was about £420.00 including parts labour and VAT. The unit price for the hose was £144.84, and the two hose clamps were about £2.00 each.