Other jobs while it is in bits ... intercooler, aircon

Hi I decided to pull the front out of my P38 to get to the aux belt tensioner as it is a good opportunity to get some overdue jobs done.

First was replacing the oil cooler; turns out it is not leaking at all; the oil drips seem to be coming from the intercooler input rubber hose connection. A good result.

Second was checking/replacing the a/c condensor, which I thought may be leaking as my a/c has never worked. When I undid the connection there was a loud escape of gas - so I am guessing it is not leaking after all! Another good result, except I am now left wondering what is stopping the a/c from working (HEVAC is not logging any faults, compressor is definitely running (output pipe gets warm), but no cool air at all in the cabin. Any ideas?

Third job - cleaning the intercooler - any suggestions re best way of doing this?



Any help gratefully received.....

Cheers

Jerry

it may have had gas in the aircon but prob no where near enough! if the level is low it wont work have it regassed and will prob work.

Oil in the inter-cooler is not good, means the turbo is leaking I believe , I am sure some one will be along to correct me if I am mistaken.

There is always some oil in the intercooler, some of it comes from the rocker cover breather connected to the turbo intake.
Acetone is good for washing out the intercooler. Fill and soak overnight, rinse with clean acetone and leave to dry.

lowfat said:

Oil in the inter-cooler is not good, means the turbo is leaking I believe , I am sure some one will be along to correct me if I am mistaken.

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Naah oil film in intercooler is normal.

Would an oil film leak out? As the OP thought his oil cooler was leaking it sounds worse than a bit of blow back.

lowfat said:

Would an oil film leak out? As the OP thought his oil cooler was leaking it sounds worse than a bit of blow back.

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The oil builds up over time that's why removing and cleaning the intercooler is on the service schedule

Any Diesel intercooler on a car with a few miles on it will have a sweat around the pipes. I would not worry about it, if your turbo was shot and burning oil you will know about it.

lowfat said:

Would an oil film leak out? As the OP thought his oil cooler was leaking it sounds worse than a bit of blow back.

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Maybe the seperator in the cam cover is dirty and not doing it's job of seperating oil from air. How many people take the cover off and clean it?

Thanks for cleaning that up. I will go back and sit under the stairs....