What Are Some Top Symptoms Associated with a Leaking Intercooler in Chevy Trucks

Chevrolet pickup trucks are known for their reliability and power, however, issues with the functioning of its intercooler can have an adverse impact on the smooth running of your pickup truck. In fact, the intercooler is responsible for cooling the compressed air from the turbocharger before it enters the engine.

There are certain symptoms exhibited by your Chevrolet pickup truck whenever the intercooler malfunctions and you need to keep an eye on these signs. In this article, we will discuss the top symptoms associated with a leaking intercooler in Chevy trucks.

Drop in Engine Power

If you are driving with a leaking intercooler under the hood of your Chevy then the pressurized air from the turbocharger won’t be able to make it to the engine in adequate quantity and this will lead to a noticeable drop in the power of your engine as the boost pressure reduces significantly.

This becomes noticeable when you are trying to accelerate or climb hills and you will be surprised to find that your pickup truck becomes sluggish or unresponsive even when you have pressed the throttle completely. Most drivers don’t know the fact that the turbocharged diesel engine of their pickup truck is heavily dependent on compressed air for efficient combustion.

Now, due to the leak in the intercooler, the air-fuel mixture ratio becomes unbalanced and you will notice that your Chevy truck struggles to tow loads that it once handled very efficiently. This is the first sign that you are going to come across whenever there is something wrong with the intercooler of your pickup truck.

Unusual Noise During Acceleration

Generally, when driving a Chevy pickup truck under normal circumstances you are never going to hear anything unusual other than the roar of the engine. However, with a leaking intercooler, you are going to come across certain unusual noises in the form of whistling, hissing, or chirping sounds that become louder when you try to accelerate.

Most of the time these sounds are caused due to the high-pressure air getting out through the cracks, loose connections, or damaged hoses present in the intercooler system. In fact, the leaking air gives rise to turbulence at a very high frequency making it difficult for you to drive your truck smoothly.

Now, with time the unusual noises are going to get louder and more frequent as the leak worsens and some drivers might take this to be the normal noise being made by the turbo, however, these sounds are going to be very high-pitched and inconsistent in comparison to the ones made by the turbo.

If you are able to catch these sounds during the starting phase of the problem then you can stop the leak from becoming a big one by seeking the assistance of certified mechanics who will help detect the source of the leak & fix it accordingly.

Presence of Oil or Moisture

At times, during the inspection of the intercooler & the hoses connecting it, you might come across oil residue, soot, or moisture accumulated on the intercooler or the connecting hoses. In fact, diesel engines have a very small quantity of oil in the charged air system due to the presence of a turbo, however, large or wet oily spots are unusual.

Most of the time these leaks are detected around the hose clamps, cracks in the intercooler core, or due to worn-out seals. Often the leaking air pushes the oil mist out and it then accumulates as a grimy, wet buildup on or around the intercooler.

Furthermore, coming across this sign is a sure indication of the presence of a leak in the intercooler and also helps in pinpointing the exact location of the leak.

Illuminated Check Engine Light

There is numerous warning lights located on the dashboard of your Chevy truck and the moment you come across an illuminated check engine light then it might signify leaks in the intercooler that needs to be inspected. However, the problem with the warning light is that it can be triggered due to a host of other issues.

That is why it is important to rope in a professional mechanic who can diagnose the trouble codes and determine what is exactly wrong with your pickup truck.

Finally

The above-discussed factors are some of the symptoms associated with a failing intercooler system in your Chevy pickup truck. Now, you mustn’t delay in fixing the leak because it can give rise to a host of other problems. You must get your pickup truck fixed immediately.

Royalty Auto Service is a leading auto service and repair facility located in St Marys, GA and also has its presence in Kingsland, GA. We are having years of experience in looking after luxury cars and now we provide pickup van services.