Leaking I/C

[Maverick14]

Howdy,

I've got a 04 SG5 cross sports forester with a leaking intercooler. I've had it pressure tested by a local mechanic and he confirmed there is a leak. You can hear it when on boost, it sounds like a faint high pitch whistle.

What options do I have for a direct replacement? Will a WRX I/C fit? The current I/C has an aftermarket recirc BOV attached to it, so this will also need to bolt up to the new I/C. Would it just be easier to try and source another forester I/C?

The car is completely standard so there is no need for an STI I/C replacement etc.

I'm not wanting to spend a lot of $$, this thing has cost me a fortune over the last couple of months.

Thanks,

Scott

[Timmah]

Give SAS a PM:

http://clubsub.org.nz/forum/member.php?2038-SAS

He might be able to find the leak and weld it up.

[slystiguy]

A second hand replacement intercooler should be cheap as chips mate. Just make sure the fins aren't bent

[boon]

Even if they are, a couple of hours with some tweezers will have it looking brand new.

Tedious but it works well

[Kiwi_Fozze]

Iirc the foresters and wrx of the same year still had the same size intercoolers around this age, but see if you can get it welded

[Maverick14]

Thanks for the replies.

I think it'll be easier to keep an eye out on trademe etc. for a forester or WRX I/C. I really can't be bothered messing around taking it somewhere to be welded etc... call me lazy but I'm fed up with this car.

[Marky]

To be fair if you can find the spot its leaking, it'd likely be a $20 5 min job for someone to just run a bead along it

Weird thing to have happen though - are you sure it's not just the gasket between the intercooler and BOV? (I had the same issue, rubbish gasket)

[Maverick14]

 Marky said:

To be fair if you can find the spot its leaking, it'd likely be a $20 5 min job for someone to just run a bead along it

Weird thing to have happen though - are you sure it's not just the gasket between the intercooler and BOV? (I had the same issue, rubbish gasket)

Yep, BOV and gasket just replaced.

It doesnt help that we are trying to sell it... need a bigger wagon for the upcoming arrival of our first baby