drain on intercooler

schwarze Käfer

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Oct 21, 2010
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Texas (panhandle)
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2003 New Beetle GLS 5spd
Yep, works great, too.
Just pulling the hose won't drain it all on a beetle. You'll still have quite a bit in the bottom from the tilt of the intercooler.
 
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p377y7h33f

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Jun 24, 2011
Location
Brooklyn
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2003 Jetta Wagon 5-Speed in Tornado Red
Yep, works great, too.
Just pulling the hose won't drain it all on a beetle. You'll still have quite a bit in the bottom from the tilt of the intercooler.
so you drilled through the lowest part of the plastic bottom i assume?

any guidelines to make sure the fitting isn't pushed out by the boost pressure?
 

josh8loop

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Sep 15, 2009
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2002 VW Jetta TDI Manual(performed 01M to 5-speed swap) - 183,000 miles and climbing!
so you drilled through the lowest part of the plastic bottom i assume?

any guidelines to make sure the fitting isn't pushed out by the boost pressure?


Try not to penetrate any more than 1.5" through the IC plastic, and prefferably just barely enough to ge through the plastic or else you may puncture the metal fins. Get a 1/4" or 1/8" MPT tap, and tap the hole for a plug.






..
 

schwarze Käfer

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Location
Texas (panhandle)
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2003 New Beetle GLS 5spd
Yes. I removed the intercooler, cleaned it, drilled it, and cleaned it again to get the plastic shavings out. Then I roughed the plastic around the hole with sandpaper and JB welded a nut (fine thread) to it. I Put a tight fitting o-ring on the bolt I used and also use a little teflon tape on the threads. So far, so good and no leaks!

If I had it to do again, I'd probably first try using a coarse thread, sealing screw by itself, as you only need a really small hole. What I did is a bit of overkill.

x2 with what Josh said - don't go deep with the drill!
I didn't try to tap the hole, but it could work.
20-25psi isn't much pressure to worry about.
 
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AndyBees

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May 27, 2003
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Southeast Kentucky
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Silver 2003 Jetta TDI, Silver 2000 Jetta TDI (sold), '84 Vanagon with '02 ALH engine
Well, mentioned that a year or so ago and got a little criticism.

So, some time in the near future, I plan to install a drain plug in my IC too. I like the idea of using the JB Weld.
 

VWBeamer

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Jan 1, 2009
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GA
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2004 Jetta Wagon
I see no need or any harm.

What's the thinking behind adding one?

On a CR that lived up north, this might be a great idea.
 

schwarze Käfer

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Joined
Oct 21, 2010
Location
Texas (panhandle)
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2003 New Beetle GLS 5spd
I see no need or any harm.

What's the thinking behind adding one?

<snip>
Peace of mind & ease of checking/cleaning. I'm trying to avoid a hydrolock/runaway situation. As my car ages, who knows when/if the turbo bearings will fail. The drain sure makes it easy to stay on top of it.

A few weeks after I got my car, I drained over a cup of oil from the intercooler. Of course, that was mainly due to way the previous owner drove the car, and before I learned to properly drive it.

I just drained it yesterday. Had less than 1 ounce of oil in the intercooler for about 5k miles. And now, I feel much better. :)
 

schwarze Käfer

Veteran Member
Joined
Oct 21, 2010
Location
Texas (panhandle)
TDI
2003 New Beetle GLS 5spd
Well, mentioned that a year or so ago and got a little criticism.

So, some time in the near future, I plan to install a drain plug in my IC too. I like the idea of using the JB Weld.
Reading some of the horror stories on here made a believer out of me.
I'm sure those that criticize wouldn't pay for your new rods or head.

JB Weld is some really good stuff. It has saved me a ton of money over the years!
 

Henrick

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Aug 24, 2010
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Ireland
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Golf VI TDI, 77 kW (CAYC)
I see no point in doing that.
1) oil will still accumulate shortly in there;
2) draining it won't give ANY benefit
3) you can get rid of oil in IC just by flooring your car at least once.
 

VWBeamer

Veteran Member
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Jan 1, 2009
Location
GA
TDI
2004 Jetta Wagon
He is using it monitor the amount of oil collecting in the IC.

I thought the same as you before he explained it.

I see no point in doing that.
1) oil will still accumulate shortly in there;
2) draining it won't give ANY benefit
3) you can get rid of oil in IC just by flooring your car at least once.
 

oilhammer

Certified Volkswagen Nut & Vendor
Joined
Dec 11, 2001
Location
outside St Louis, MO
TDI
There are just too many to list....
My right foot insures there will never be any buildup of oil in my intercoolers. :D

If you ever get an amount worth "draining", you are either driving too easy or your turbo is about to die.
 
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