In the last 150k miles of my ownership (190k in total) of my 04 MK1 VRS I've gone through several sections of plastic 'boost' pipe that have failed, resulting in air leaks. Also once, the intercooler split at the bottom, again resulting in an air leak. I replaced it with a cheap used replacement bought from a member of this site, which did the job for a year or so.

 

I now have another air leak, with a hissy woosh (more than is normal) from the drivers side of the engine when the boost builds up. There is minimal power loss.

 

I'm going to have this checked out to see where the leak is. It sounds exacly like when the intercooler went last year. I'm hoping its not the intercooler, but if it is, could there be a reason why this one has gone as well as the previous one? Are they known to split/leak at high mileage or I have just been unlucky? 

 

My car is standard

 

Thanks

Was it a genuine intercooler you replaced it with?

there shouldnt be any stress / pressure on the intercooler mounts if it doesnt fit without pulling / pushing on it then there is something wrong

You checked the pipe to the turbo Ive heard they can split after long time as they are under most pressure.

the entire piping is flawed totally imho.

Hopefully it'll be the pipe and not the intercooler, which is still standard and they are fairly expensive to replace

Hopefully it'll be the pipe and not the intercooler, which is still standard and they are fairly expensive to replace

Was the intercooler you replaced the broken one with a genuine one?

Genuine, but used

if u ain't sorted it I had the same problem turned out the maf sensor was coming apart under boost hence leaking boost I used 2 cable ties to hold it together and sorted hope this helps

MAP? possibly, as MAF isn't under pressure.

yeh boost sensor in pipe

Split on the top of the hose after the turbo.

The 90 degree bend going to the pancake pipe?

Thats the one i thought, they take the most pressure and are nearly always damaged if turbo ever goes.

The new piece is £140! Thieves.

Scrap yard. Or if you email darkside developments they have a second hand parts department which normally has every thing.

I got that pipe for about £30 when mine went off of them.

Too late. Its on order.

The car only has to last another 12 months (30k miles) before it goes.