2G Trying to Diagnose Oil Leak, Found This Plugged Hose

[Sandica]

Hello,

I have a 1995 Eagle Talon TSI AWD with a 6-bolt swap. While doing some cleaning underneath and trying to pinpoint an oil leak, I found this hose coming down out of the Turbo area (as far as I can tell). The most disturbing thing is that it's plugged with a bolt and then the hose is clamped off. As I said, I cleaned under there, but I'm pretty sure oil is leaking out of the end of this "plugged with a bolt" hose (not surprisingly).

My question is, can anyone shed some light on what this hose is coming from? and how I should proceed with dealing with this?

Thanks for any and all help.

 

[Kryndon]

I don't recall a stock engine having any oil lines going through there. I've seen quite a few oil filter housings, neither have an outlet that points in the direction that yours does.

This makes me think that maybe the PO tapped a bung in there for maybe an oil pressure gauge? Or maybe he tried to feed a custom turbo through that line? You'll have to drain some oil and remove that hose to see exactly what you're dealing with. Need to check if it's indeed some sort of threaded/tapped in sensor hole or who knows that else.

 

[91talonts1]

Looks like it could be a water line to the factory water cooled oil cooler. There's one that comes down from the water pipe right in that area.

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

Are you absolutely sure the oil is coming out of that hose?
If not, you need to verify this. Then you will know what it actually is, and maybe where it goes.

 

[Mello]

Looks like the PO removed the oil cooler completely during the 6-bolt swap. There are probably more plugged off lines too.

 

[Sandica]

Are you absolutely sure the oil is coming out of that hose?
If not, you need to verify this. Then you will know what it actually is, and maybe where it goes.

Yes, there is oil very slowly dripping out of the end of the line after it's been run. It's not dripping now (been parked for about 24 hours). I just cleaned it though, so will monitor it to further confirm.

Looks like the PO removed the oil cooler completely during the 6-bolt swap. There are probably more plugged off lines too.

That seems like that could possibly be it, why would they do that? I'm assuming it is not ideal to have the oil cooler removed?

 

[AWD-Tony]

Pretty sure that's the coolant line from the water pipe to oil filter housing. PO probably changed OFH.

 

[AWD-Tony]

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[Sandica]

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This is the other end of the hose in my engine bay. You nailed it, its the same one as the pic you posted and circled. Is it ok it's plugged off and not doing it's intended purpose?

Thanks again for the help

 

[BLACK'98DSM]

That hose is clearly not the cause of your oil leak. Based on the pictures you have attached you need to strongly degrease the entire engine before locating the oil leak

 

[AWD-Tony]

This is the other end of the hose in my engine bay. You nailed it, its the same one as the pic you posted and circled. Is it ok it's plugged off and not doing it's intended purpose?

Thanks again for the help

It being plugged isn’t an issue. It’s original purpose was to the oil cooler.

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[Sandica]

That hose is clearly not the cause of your oil leak. Based on the pictures you have attached you need to strongly degrease the entire engine before locating the oil leak

Yeah, I was in the process of degreasing the engine when I found this hose. I know there is an oil leak somewhere, at least glad I can rule out this hose.

Thanks for the help everyone.

 

[Clipsoe]

Actually, sometimes the oil coolers fail and leak into the coolant, its possible they sealed it off for that reason. When I got this 2g the lines were just off, not even blocked. Then one day it just started leaking really bad. Ended up just putting a hose with a bolt and clamp on the two pipes for the oil filter cooler, leak stopped. If you hoses are worn, it possbile it's leaking from there. Put new hose, bolt's and clamps. What like $5 if that for it, may as well.