What is this pipe?

I

IrishJohn

Member
Hi all,

I bought a Y Reg A2 about 12 months back and all was well until I took it to Ireland at Easter. On the way home, we were late for the boat so I was flooring it a wee bit and I suddenly lost power becoming another victim to the now infamous Turbo Loss problem that quite a few of you have suffered with.

I have searched for and read most of the posts regarding this problem and so I have started looking for damaged/worn pipes in the engine bay. Now the engine compartment is bone dry apart from one pipe at the back of the engine that is 'wet'. I was concerned about how easy I was able to pull the pipe off so I replaced the hoseclip and tightened it so it cannot be removed so easily.

My question is what does this pipe do and is this a possible reason for the power loss?



1. Bonnet off
DSCF0290-1.jpg

2. Closer
DSCF0291-1.jpg

3. Closer still
DSCF0292-1.jpg


Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks John
 
Funnily enough John, I was looking at the exact same oily wetness on the exact same pipe on my A2 last weekend wondering what it was for and why it was wet. Looks like some kind of breather pipe. I wonder if it has split or persihed or just come loose with the heat and oil?

I'd be interested to find out more about this pipe too from some of the "wise ones" around here. I have had no engine problems though and I was just looking for the EGR valve when I noticed it. Strange.

PS: Have a look at the front drivers side just below and to the right of the headlight in the engine bay and you will see what looks like a small radiator. This is the intercooler. Check that it's not leaking. Look for rusted bands top and bottom, bulging o-rings and dirty, sooty, oily streaks up the faces of it. That's what was causing my problems.

Cheers,
 
Hi Lee

I had a look round the intercooler to begin with and I really can't see any leaks or connectors that look dodgy. As I said the engine bay is pretty much dry as a bone apart from that pipe.

The car's got 75k on the clock and I had the cam belt done at around 62k. The thing is, it's the wife's car and I hardly ever get to drive it (unfortunately) except for the long journeys where she requires a chauffeur. She never gives it any wellie so she never complains about it. We were out all day in it yesterday and I gave it plenty at every opportunity but I didn't get any power loss. Now I am not for one minute convinced the problem has gone so I'll have to wait until the next big one before I find out if there's any difference.

BTW - I've read your post on the work you were getting done, how did the new I/C work out?
 
That pipe is the fuel pipe to the fuel pump - can't understand why it'd be wet, unless it's wet with diesel?

Clean it up, cinch it on tight and see if the wetness returns.

Cheers,

Mike
 
Holy smoke Mike !! I thought it was just a breather pipe. I will definitely be inspecting mine more closely now. I will clean it up as you suggest and see if it gets wet again.... I wonder if I have had fuel weeping from it?

John - The new I/C looks and works great thanks. It gives me a sense of security knowing that it is all metal and welded together and has a lifetime guarantee. Bit pricey, but worth the peace of mind I think.

Good luck solving your problem too.
 
Cheers Mike, as I said it was easy to pull out so maybe there was some weepage over a period of time. I've tightened it up now so we'll see what happens.

Alright Lee, that's good to hear about your motor, I'm sure it was worth it. I don't mind too much when spending money on a fault as long as you know what it is. I really don't fancy shelling out for a new Intercooler or turbo unit when it turns out to be a loose pipe! :eek:

Thanks John
 
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