while doing my brakes today and poking around under the engine i saw this:

connection coming out of the intercooler attaching to the plastic plenum running back up to top of motor i could see oil residue that worked its way down the lower radiator hose - not enough to drip but visible

on the compressor side i could see more residue around a clamp on the hose on that side underneath - i ran out of time to really investigate the source again not enough to drip but visible

it looks like oil vapor mixed with the air similar to what you would see in a air breather that had a bad pcv valve or a clogged filter somewhere - but how would it escape the plumbing and collect in these areas? - its really tight in there and i only had a flashlight to see - didnt have my drop light with me

asking for your thoughts again as to where this oil may be coming from...

thanks in advance for your comments

 

I have found oil in the same place and i am going to install catch can as soon i get some cash. I bet it would cure the problem.

 

Catch cans seem to be working on the TC cobalts pretty well. Im sure it wouldnt be any different on the HHR SS.

 

found this thread where moon was discussing this...think i'll leave well enough alone for now and just keep and eye on the things

https://www.chevyhhr.net/forums/ss-specific-service-issues-repairs-61/blow-catch-can-30811/

thanks!

 

You'll definetly want to run a catch can if your getting alot of blow by or your map sensors will start failing due to oil contamination.

 

hhrsouth - its not much...i just happened to notice a little wetness in those areas - as long as the crankcase vents and pcv are free and clear and it doesnt get any worse its tolerable - the plumbing involved is really a pita considering the isssu right now - rest assured i'll be watching it

 

You are seeing oil on the outside of the intercooler piping? That is not normal if you are.

 

its on the rubber hose on the exit side of the intercooler bottom left front -i'm told this is quite common??

 

It's common to see a small amount of oil inside the piping, but not on the outside. It sounds like you have an oil leak somewhere. The way you're describing things is confusing though.

 

I would check the rest of the piping. He is describing the drivers side Hot Pipe, and that conection to the IC. There is no T-Map to that pipe so Oil fowling is not an issue for that. I would place a strong guess that it is left-over from an oil change, that dripped onto the IC pipe and then collected at the elbow near the IC. That to me is one good possibility, since those pipes are obstruction free. There really isn't a way for the crankcase or valve cover, head, etc to drip oil to the bottom front of the IC piping without getting it anywhere else. I'm still guessing a sloppy oil change, road grime, car wash wax. Is the spots in your driveway, or parking at work?

If its on the radiator piping, again spots in the driveway? I'm still guessing spillage