intercooler freezing... i think

dman123 · Post by **dman123** » 29 Nov 2006, 01:14

Hi there, I'm a recently new 1994 volvo 850 turbo owner. I live in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada... where it is -25 degrees celcius today

Anyways I've been experiencing the same symptoms as some others on this site where airflow is being restricted (probably due to freezing water somewhere in the air intake/intercooler section) A mechanic told me that it was possible to drain the intercooler (with a drain plug) but I was not able to find one. I did disconnect the tube that comes from the turbo on the bottom of the radiator (at the intercooler) but only a few drops of water came out. This doesn't seem to be enough water to completly block airflow. Any ideas as to how I can get the moisture out of the air system? Thanks. Dave

White850Turbo · Post by **White850Turbo** » 29 Nov 2006, 06:30

I have to wonder if you have the early intercooler piping that Volvo changed in the later '94 models due to freezing problems. Perhaps you could take a picture of the engine bay and we'll be able to tell for sure.

I take it that the basic tune-up items have been taken care of (air filter, fuel filter, ignition system)?

dman123 · Post by **dman123** » 29 Nov 2006, 08:54

ahh. ok ill try and get a pic of that tonight. what is the difference in the piping?

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 29 Nov 2006, 21:59

It was actually reversed in the later models....ours compared to yours. What we have is what's considered "standard" now that ironically, if yours is the older model, it's actually called RIP (reversed IC Piping). You'll know if yours is the older (RIP) style if your IC pipe comes over the top of the engine and connects to the top of the IC (intercooler) at the top of the radiator on the passenger's (R) side. Ours don't travel over the top of the engine...it goes to the side of the engine from the turbo and connects to the bottom side of the intercooler on the driver's (L) side with a 90degree hose. After air exits the intercooler from the top on the passenger's (R) side, it connects to the throttle intake. Hope this helps.

dman123 · Post by **dman123** » 30 Nov 2006, 15:09

Actually mine is the standard style but I'm still having something block air flow when its freezing out... I disconnected the bottom tube from the turbo to the intercooler and let a bit of moisture out and now it seems to be ok. Just a tiny bit of water could cause those big tubes to freeze?

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 30 Nov 2006, 16:58

Wow, very strange. Maybe the freezing is at the drain nipple in the intercooler. It is common to have some condensation of oil in these large hoses from recirculated exhaust, but I would not think that there would be enough for you to block up a large 2.5 inch IC pipe.

dman123 · Post by **dman123** » 01 Dec 2006, 11:25

where is the "drain nipple" for the intercooler. The only opening I find on the intercooler is where the 2.5" hose from the turbo enters the bottom of the intercooler...

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 01 Dec 2006, 19:21

You'll have to take the air dam (platic protector for the radiator) at the bottom of the car off (a 10mm socket screw on each side of the car), then look about center from the front of the car at the very bottom. Should either be a hole or some have been fitted with a one-way nipple (actually, some didn't have anything and may be worth asking one to be added if yours doesn't have one). If this is clogged, you could get some clogging through the lower side of the intercooler itself when the condensation freezes.

How cold is it getting there anyway?

dman123 · Post by **dman123** » 02 Dec 2006, 23:20

its -25 degrees celcius. realll cold. and it gets colder. but i drained a little water and it seems to be doing ok for now. mine doesnt have any drain hole or nipple... i wonder if i could just drill one in there?...

Post by **MadeInJapan** » 03 Dec 2006, 08:48

Evidently there is a "kit" that the dealer sells for this so you get it right:

You can always put a "sleeve" the drill bit to make sure you don't drill too far.
For later model 850's there are further instructions that say that if there is too much oil draining from this hole, to install a one-way nipple that allows some forced drainage but none during typicall (non-boost) use.

Really though this may not be your problem at all...Maybe others will chime in. I'm just a bit leary to begin drilling drain holes into the car myself.

Another note: According to the diagram above, the drain hole is closer to the passenger's side than center (where I said in another post above), plus it seems to be at the very bottom of the intercooler....so double check again to see if indeed yours already had this hole.