[OEM+Alpine]

Hey all
After doing quite a bit of research on replacing my Charge pipe I decided to replace it with the one from CTS. Not because it's the cheapest but because it was well rated and didn't have the same legacy issues the VRSF one had. When I installed it on stock boost I had no problems; now that I am stage 1 with MHD the CP has started to leak during WOT. It's throwing low charge pressure 120308 codes.

To confirm I had diagnosed the issue correctly I brought it to a local tuning shop and had them do a smoke test (attached picture).

Now CTS won't replace it under warranty unless I send them my current unit back, and they won't pay for the diagnostic fee.

The seal is installed correctly and it's the stock IC. Bottom line stay away from all things CTS in my opinion their customer service is aweful.

[khj24]

Boost leaks aren't fun. From this pic though it looks like the metal clip isn't all the way in, is it in the proper groove(charge pipe seated far enough down towards the IC)?

I assume everything on your end is probably fine, but that clip looks suspect from that picture. Good luck!

[OEM+Alpine]

Thanks for the reply I thought the same thing but I verified it along with the tech at Dynamic Auto Tune in Charlotte

[khj24]

Originally Posted by BoostedCoupe

Thanks for the reply I thought the same thing but I verified it along with the tech at Dynamic Auto Tune in Charlotte

I dont have the same CP so I cant say for sure it should or shouldn't look like that, I'm sure someone with a CTS CP on their car will chime in with their experiences.

[OEM+Alpine]

Yea that would be great if I didn't something wrong would be willing to say I made a mistake

[thejeremyman9]

Ah, good ol' boost leaks. I dealt with crazy issues with my VRSF IC+CP combo, which end up definitely being a manufacturing defect. I solved the issue by using aftermarket larger-than-stock (and different style - round) Orings. You can read all about it on the Oring thread and boost leak thread. Let me know if you cant find those.

The picture is a little blurry but i agree the clip doesnt look all the way in. However, the clip doesnt actually seal anything, it just holds the CP onto the IC. As long as it is in that groove and the CP is fully on, that shouldnt be the reason for your leak (it looks like it is on all the way).

Bottom line:

1. Confirm your stock Oring is install in the correct direction is is not twisted/etc and the reason for your leak.

2. If above is confirm and you still have a leak, probably just go to the aftermarket Orings, or deal with shipping CP back, reinstalling stock, and possibly having a leak again afterwards. Note you just need to drop the IC and replace the Oring, you should not need to remove the CP completely.

[n55david]

Originally Posted by thejeremyman9

Ah, good ol' boost leaks. I dealt with crazy issues with my VRSF IC+CP combo, which end up definitely being a manufacturing defect. I solved the issue by using aftermarket larger-than-stock (and different style - round) Orings. You can read all about it on the Oring thread and boost leak thread. Let me know if you cant find those.

The picture is a little blurry but i agree the clip doesnt look all the way in. However, the clip doesnt actually seal anything, it just holds the CP onto the IC. As long as it is in that groove and the CP is fully on, that shouldnt be the reason for your leak (it looks like it is on all the way).

Bottom line:

1. Confirm your stock Oring is install in the correct direction is is not twisted/etc and the reason for your leak.

2. If above is confirm and you still have a leak, probably just go to the aftermarket Orings, or deal with shipping CP back, reinstalling stock, and possibly having a leak again afterwards. Note you just need to drop the IC and replace the Oring, you should not need to remove the CP completely.

What/where did you get the orings?

[thejeremyman9]

Originally Posted by Phantom10R

What/where did you get the orings?

https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...or+charge+pipe

First post is updated after my trial/error. The Orings are very cheap, i would literally order any possible size/thickness you think you are going to need. For example, i ordered 4mm and 4.5mm thickness for every diameter just to make sure i had everything on hand. Note also you need 2x some of them if you are doing TIC and CP to IC connections.

I had MASSIVE boost leak on IC-CP connection with VRSF parts and stock Oring. I went to 4mm Oring which is supposed to be a tighter-than-stock fit and that still wasnt enough. Finally had to use a lightly sanded 4.5mm one to get my IC-CP to seal. Confirmed it fixed my leak with my pressure test and my boost control has never been better in logs.

[mcintoshf30]

CTS CP as well and now stage 2 with no issues so far, cross my fingers though. OP, definitely look at the o rings and the metal clip

[TR-8R]

I never had an issue with my CTS Turbo CP mated to their FMIC running stage 2. That clip definitely looks suspicious..

[Haywood187]

Yeah, when I installed my CTS CP it took me a couple times to get the O-Ring and clip fitted just right. That clip definitely looks suspect, so check that O-Ring for sure and make sure it's seated completely and in the right direction. You'll think it is, and everything seems golden, and you'll be off and it won't pull over and the clip won't seat. I had to quadruple check, added a little oil to o-ring and then pulled like hell, and it clicked on securely. Once I got it, and it seated right, I could finally tell it was on and secure. It's been 100% no issues at all on the stock FMIC with stg1 since.

[OEM+Alpine]

I took everything apart tonight and swapped the OEM gasket back in. Still threw the code unfortunately.

[thejeremyman9]

Originally Posted by BoostedCoupe

I took everything apart tonight and swapped the OEM gasket back in. Still threw the code unfortunately.

How tight is the CP to IC connection? If it doesnt have a decent amount of resistance sliding on, its not going to be air tight, and you probably need bigger Orings. If there is any wiggle room at all with it clipped, its going to leak.

[OEM+Alpine]

Thanks for the help guys. So last night as I stated I put the factory O-Ring on and I disconnected the charge pipe on the throttle body to make sure it seated on the intercooler very tightly. I took my time to make sure everything fit tightly and the clip was set properly. Still got the error code.

Perhaps CTS has some tolerance issues in their manufacturing? Therefore I am going to look for an alternative. BMS, ER or VRSF?

[cjlane]

I would recommend ER. I have had good luck with my VRSF CP and IC, but from all the threads on here, it seems I may be part of a lucky few. Try to match brands where possible as they were designed to work together.

[thejeremyman9]

Originally Posted by alohasurftoad

Is your o-ring barb flap oriented such that it's easy to connect (at cp and tb)? Should be pointing into the cp at either end... Since it worked prior, I assume its correct, just making sure.

Also, I honestly think it should be snug with a slight "wiggle", not super tight as everyone is saying. The barb flap is designed to work with slight "play". If its super tight I think the flap could distort enough to cause a leak.

might be worth trying larger non-directional o-rings like jeremyman suggested. in this case it sounds like super-tight fitment is required...https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh...ng+orientation

however if you're tired of "f@ck!ng" around with this and rather just get ER and move on, i understand.

Only thing i would note here is that the CP to TB connection is a round Oring, even stock. Its only the TIC and CP to IC connections that are tapered and have the "flap" on them, where direction is important.

In terms of the "wiggle" - even after i installed my first larger than stock round Oring, the connection was snug with little to no wiggle and it still leaked. It wasn't until i had a nearly impossible to put on tight fit that the leak was solved (if you read the Oring thread you will see that i literally had to pull down will all my weight while simultaneously prying on the CP toward the IC to get it to finally go on and seal with the largest Oring). YMMV with stock Oring, but if it is lose to the point where the CP basically just falls onto the IC without resistance, it is probably too loose. My situation was specifically because of a manufacturing error, and it sounds like you might be in a similar boat.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by BoostedCoupe

Thanks for the help guys. So last night as I stated I put the factory O-Ring on and I disconnected the charge pipe on the throttle body to make sure it seated on the intercooler very tightly. I took my time to make sure everything fit tightly and the clip was set properly. Still got the error code.

Perhaps CTS has some tolerance issues in their manufacturing? Therefore I am going to look for an alternative. BMS, ER or VRSF?

We offer all three brands, they all should fit without any problem

[OEM+Alpine]

Thanks Mike I was on your site last night I will he ordering from you guys given your specific reputation on the forums and the better customer service I will receive (along with the better quality)

[XutvJet]

That metal clip doesn't look correct. The kink in the clip should go much deeper than depicted. When it sits out like that, it means the charge pipe isn't engaged onto the intercooler fully/correctly. Or the slot the clip fits into isn't wide/large enough.

[JaredG_F30]

FWIW when I installed my FTP CP I wasn't convinced the seal would hold boost so I added some high temp silicone gasket maker to the chamfer on the inside of the tube right around the o-ring. Holds 18+ PSI just fine. I'd give that a shot before spending money on another CP.

[OEM+Alpine]

Originally Posted by JaredG_F30

FWIW when I installed my FTP CP I wasn't convinced the seal would hold boost so I added some high temp silicone gasket maker to the chamfer on the inside of the tube right around the o-ring. Holds 18+ PSI just fine. I'd give that a shot before spending money on another CP.

Thanks so you have an example of this?

[JaredG_F30]

I'm not sure what you mean. I don't have a picture if that is what you are asking.

Check this video at 14:50. You can see the chamfer just before the o-ring groove. Put a bead of gasket maker there.

Video

RTV Gasket Maker
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0002UEN1A..._.QzvEbH9AA6MB

Originally Posted by BoostedCoupe

Thanks so you have an example of this?