Engine: 850 T5/R Potentially silly turbo question

[Cookeh]

Bit of a silly one, Im sure. I had the crossover intercooler pipe off the other day when cleaning the throttle-body, and had a cursory look down into the compressor housing. I noticed that there was a good volume of liquid in the compressor housing, within 3cm or so of the top.

Is this normal? It seems weird to me, but short of a crack in the water jacket of the turbo I can't think of where it would come from? Car runs and boosts fine, haven't noticed a decrease in performance, I'm not seeing any oil burning or coolant loss. Just seems weird to me.

[Shinsplintz 101]

Nope. Definitely not normal.

[JohnM 855 T5R]

Definitely a cause for concern! Is it water or oil - did you "dip" it to see what the liquid is? A tiny bit of oil isn't unusual but what you describe is way, way too much.

John

[Cookeh]

Apparently I was either mis-remembering or feeling melodramatic. Turned out to actually be about 20mL of water in the bottom. I'm positive its straight water, no smell, no taint, no colour, no miscibility or refractional properties to indicate its anything else.

Presumably just condensation from sitting for the last few weeks? Would explain complete lack of other symptoms. Will get some pictures up later.

[Cookeh]

Pics, as stated:

[JohnM 855 T5R]

Given the volume and how clear the liquid is (i.e. not oil or coolant) I can only assume that it is indeed condensation. Its quite normal for some condensation to form in the bottom of the intercooler (there is a small drain hole in it to deal with that). I've just never seen it where you are showing it. Check the intercooler drain hole isn't blocked in case condensation is somehow backing up - not that I'd expect it to cause what you are seeing, but it doesn't hurt.

John