MK4 Golf 150 ARL Intercooler same as Leon 150 ARL?

[Daz8161]

Hey guys, damn plastic connector is broken on the intercooler on my MK1 150 Leon ARL, doesnt seem to be many second hand ones of these about, is the MK4 Golf 150 ARL intercooler the same part? Are the brackets etc in the same place? I was hoping to maybe pick up a second hand golf one instead and fit it.

Much appreciated guys

 

[Daz8161]

Also will a leak from the intercooler cause the car to be down on power and cause a lot of black smoke to come from the exhaust?

 

[Muttley]

Boost leaks can cause black smoke and loss of power. Would need to be fairly serious.

What plastic connector is this?

 

[Daz8161]

Yea im getting quite a big plume of black smoke pretty much anytime I put the foot down (so much it makes the back of the car pretty sooty after about 2 days of washing it), the mechanic says the plastic lip on the connection from the actual intercooler is broke or cracked causing the pipe to blow off and he says i'll need a new intercooler to fix it.

Does this sound about right? Will a golf 150 ARL intercooler be the same?

 

[Muttley]

I've not taken the boost system to bits completely, but all the connectors I've seen have been metal. The intercooler itself is certainly all metal. The connectors are one-way push to fit with metal spring clips locating against metal ears, with the connection between the two metal join sections sealed with a polyureathane seal.

The intercooler is mounted in front of the coolant radiator and the inlet and outlet are both at the bottom. If your mechanic is so sure it's a plastic connector on the intercooler that has broken and let the hose blow off, he should be able to show it to you. You need proof that the intercooler is broken before buying a new or second-hand one to fix it - it's time-consuming to fix and will cost a lot in labour.

As far as I know the PD 150 uses the same intercooler in both Golf/Bora and Leon/Toledo shells.

 

[Daz8161]

Is it possible to have a look to see if any connections are broke just by jacking the car up then?

 

[Muttley]

You should be able to see most of the boost pipe connections without much trouble.

The intercooler output comes up on the nearside of the engine bay and goes across to the inlet manifold.

The turbo-to-intercooler pipes go through the offside wheel arch and up to the intercooler.

To see the intercooler connectors in detail you need to take off the undertray, and have it up far enough (axle stands, ramps or a lift) to be able to get your head underneath.

 

[cocadave]

The intercooler connections are plastic and can snap just around where the metal clip slides to lock them in place, mine did this 2 weeks ago so i tried heavy duty tie-wraps but these were no match for the boost so i ended up withe a large jubilee clip on the pipe and another around the connector the i bent 2 more of them flat and used them to pull the 2 parts together, works a treat and cost a fiver for 4 3xx (80 mm i think).

hope this helps

 

[majesty78]

Golf 4 ARL Intercooler will fit.

If you don't mind the effort, get yourself some 70mm or 3" heat shrink hose, the type with glue inside and put them over the connector area.

Put all together and shrink the hose, those connections will never get loose or leaking again.

BR Alex

 

[mattso118]

Where did you find the heat shrink Majesty? I have been looking but can only get non adhesive in that diameter... or the revotec sleeves which are only 50mm in length ? Any pointers greatly appreciated ! Thanks matt

 

[indiemike]

This is the worst problem Ive found on these cars. Fitted a SFS full kit to stop boost leaks.

Well the other day the pipe blown off and snapped a huge chunk out of the crappy plastic fmic.

In two minds to get this.. http://www.darksidedevelopments.co.uk/products/genuine-audi-s3-intercooler.html

And get rid of the whole problems all together