Is this normal? Oil around base of intercooler inlet elbow

[DMGT]

Just had a look over my car this morning after not driving it for a while. I noticed a build up of oil around the base of the intercooler inlet pipe (90 degree elbow joining the outlet of the turbo to the intercooler) and on top of the flange which joins to the turbo - see pic. There appears to be a small metal plate fixed to the rear side of the flange that looks like it might be there to prevent any oil in this area from getting onto the turbo heat shield so it might be a known issue which subaru has designed around? Has anybody had this before? Is the hose stuffed or is it normal?

Cheers,

Doug.

[zch91]

It's called blow-by and is completely normal for turbo subies. Only way to prevent/reduce it is to install an air-oil separator/catch can

[senator]

The intake system on all soobi engines have no preventative design features to stop or limit blow by (oil returning into the take), hence why they recommend top end cleaning with every service.

If you can see oil seeping out from the hose then I’m guess your intercooler, turbo inlet pipe and intake manifold could all do with a clean out.

Best to have catch can/oil air separator fitted to prevent this from happening further.

[Robbks]

As above,
fit a catch can between your crankcase breather and the intake pipe.
super simple job and eliminates 99% of those issues

[DMGT]

Cool, I get it that's its normal (but less than ideal) to have oil inside the hose, but oil on the outside must mean its leaking from somewhere right? No big deal as I've got some AVO hoses to go on in a few weeks time - was just hoping it wouldn't fail catastrophically before then if there was an issue with it.

On the matter of the catch can/AOS that seems like a pretty sensible idea - particularly the AOS ( not super keen on having to regularly empty a catch can plus the possible roadworthiness issues with storing oil/vapor under the bonnet etc), I've got a dump pipe and aftermarket TMIC to go on at the same time as the hoses so will probably look to install an AOS at the same time. Has has anyone got a reasonably priced option? All I've seen is Grimmspeed for $250+, SG motorsport for about the same, and Prova for a ridiculous $400.... it's not rocket surgery...no electronics, no moving parts, very little R&D as far as I can tell, just a small milled bit of aluminium that sits on top of the oil filler tube.

Wish I owned a Hyundai Veloster (not) as there's AOS' for them on ebay for a far more reasonable $80, looks like a Grimmspeed copy.

[Quick Jab]

I am also looking at grabbing an AOS and they do seem very expensive, as least to a novice like me, for what they are. Any tips on finding the most effective and/or best bang-for-buck product would be very much appreciated.