[khj24]

Hey all,

Simple question, I am hunting down a suspected boost leak and cant remember how the directional O-Ring should be installed for the IC to CP connection, should the lip be pointed down towards the IC or up towards the CP? I installed a new CP about a month ago and have felt a bit down on power and I hear an audible whooshing on throttle. I have removed and re installed the pipe multiple times and it looks basically perfect with the TB basically being flush and the clamps on the coupler very tight so I am a bit stuck at the moment. I am only running BMS Stage 1 and when its installed the whooshing is much louder with a whistle when i let off throttle.

[Buckeyes]

I had a whoosh sound shortly after my cp install. Turned out to be one of the connections on the upper portion of the charge pipe that came off. Whoosh was gone and power back

[khj24]

I reinstalled it a few weekends ago because the TB side wasn't close to flush and last weekend I tightened down the clamps when I installed my new IC, I would be shocked it that was leaking at all. There was quite a bit of oil at the IC connection so I am definitely suspicious of that connection.

I have had the O ring installed where it tapers up towards the throttle body, I am not sure if thats correct though

[khj24]

UPDATE: Ended up checking the TIC side(completely stock) and the correct orientation of the ring is tapered into the charge pipe, this makes it easier to mate to the intercooler and also doesn't twist the oring which I believe was my issue. I still hear some whooshing, but its so much less and I am basically certain thats due to my MPPK airbox and drop in air filter, the car feels just like it should.


The pic is how it should be installed.

[hardparker]

I usually pack the groove and o-ring with grease to aid installation, sealing and troubleshooting. Packing it with grease eases the installation and minimizes the chances of damaging the o-ring and helps fill voids to reduce the chance of leaking. If it is leaking, it's easy to see the grease getting ejected.

[khj24]

I used some oil from the old CP(I ended up seeing this accumulate on the c clip which was a sure sign of a leak) when I initially installed the o-ring and it fits in the channel just fine, but when you go to slide it on the intercooler it grabs and twists leading to a boost leak. What was weird was that the connection feels really loose when you install the ring correctly, but I believe that's to allow for the metal CP and FMIC to expand.

[FastF30]

if it's a "V" cup oring ... the Open part of the "V" is towards the IC... this allows air to fill the "V" and create a better seal.

[khj24]

Bumping this, I noticed the other day I have oil coming out of this connection meaning I have a leak. I have a new o ring coming in today and plan to tear this down once again. Currently thinking my install is still correct, just the o ring must be damaged.

VRSF CP and IC

[khj24]

This is my logic, also shows off my immense artistic "capabilities"

[Eschmacher]

Oil seeps through the tiniest gaps, it's possible your seepage is normal and not indicative of a leak.

[Kefka]

Originally Posted by khj24

UPDATE: Ended up checking the TIC side(completely stock) and the correct orientation of the ring is tapered into the charge pipe, this makes it easier to mate to the intercooler and also doesn't twist the oring which I believe was my issue. I still hear some whooshing, but its so much less and I am basically certain thats due to my MPPK airbox and drop in air filter, the car feels just like it should.


The pic is how it should be installed.

i also hear that sound (little whistle, i think) , currently have FMIC + VRSF charge pipe (re-tightened the screw) + mppk + drop in air filter (KN) and not sure if i have a leak or not....I suspect that I do not have any but ( no error codes or any ) ... who knows..I need to do some logs..

Is more evident into sport/sport+ mode... due the "demand" of air and the "re-disgned air box" , probably?

[upsidedownfunnel]

All I can say is that I carefully inspected the orientation of the o-ring when I uninstalled my stock CP and IC and it was oriented in the opposite direction you think is the correct position. I thought it was strange because I imagined that it would be tapered towards the IC to make installation easier. However it was tapered the opposite way away from the IC. So that's how I installed mine and I haven't noticed any boost leaks.

I ended up having to replace my IC a couple months afterwards and didn't notice any oil at all seeping through the connection. It was completely dry although my stock CP had some pooled oil inside of it.

Especially after my tune, I do notice a lot of whistling noises which I assume are from a diverter valve. I noticed them on my completely stock old N54 car as well after tuning (stock CP and IC).

EDIT: After thinking about it, I think your diagram is flawed. I believe that the air flowing through the charge pipe actually creates a low pressure area around the o-ring. So it actually pulls the o-ring and that is why it is tapered one way for the hot side and the opposite way for the cold side. If it's oriented the way you drew it, it might actually cause the seal to be pulled open slightly which would then cause the high pressure in the charge pipe to blow out the air. If it was installed the way I'm recommending, the seal would constantly be pulled against the IC port even harder as more air was drawn through.

This is just a theory. I have no idea if it's true. But it would explain why the o-ring orientation is reversed for each side of the IC.

[khj24]

Originally Posted by upsidedownfunnel

All I can say is that I carefully inspected the orientation of the o-ring when I uninstalled my stock CP and IC and it was oriented in the opposite direction you think is the correct position. I thought it was strange because I imagined that it would be tapered towards the IC to make installation easier. However it was tapered the opposite way away from the IC. So that's how I installed mine and I haven't noticed any boost leaks.

I ended up having to replace my IC a couple months afterwards and didn't notice any oil at all seeping through the connection. It was completely dry although my stock CP had some pooled oil inside of it.

Especially after my tune, I do notice a lot of whistling noises which I assume are from a diverter valve. I noticed them on my completely stock old N54 car as well after tuning (stock CP and IC).

Thats really odd considering the TIC pipe is the same way. My issue was when I tried to do it that way it would just twist even with oil on it.

[oceanview]

O-Ring direction

[e46m3to335i]

Originally Posted by oceanview

O-Ring direction

Originally Posted by oceanview

O-Ring direction

I stumbled across this thread just curious as to what it was about. I installed a VRSF CP on my car a few weeks ago. Noticed I wasn't hitting target on my pulls by ~1-1.5 psi. Didn't really think much of it and wrote it off because it has been super hot lately and my AIT's were stupid high.

Low and behold, I didn't even know there was an o-ring on the IC side of the CP that needed to be transferred to the new VRSF CP 😂😂.

Guess I'll have to take care of that next weekend when I get back home from vacation.

[khj24]

Originally Posted by oceanview

O-Ring direction

Yea I watched that guide, but I also saw one that contradicted it lol. I can see this being correct, but I dont know how you guys were able to get it installed this way without the o ring twisting.

[upsidedownfunnel]

Originally Posted by khj24

Thats really odd considering the TIC pipe is the same way. My issue was when I tried to do it that way it would just twist even with oil on it.

Which CP did you buy? Some have issues with tolerances. It could just be too tight.

[Kefka]

Originally Posted by upsidedownfunnel

All I can say is that I carefully inspected the orientation of the o-ring when I uninstalled my stock CP and IC and it was oriented in the opposite direction you think is the correct position. I thought it was strange because I imagined that it would be tapered towards the IC to make installation easier. However it was tapered the opposite way away from the IC. So that's how I installed mine and I haven't noticed any boost leaks.

I ended up having to replace my IC a couple months afterwards and didn't notice any oil at all seeping through the connection. It was completely dry although my stock CP had some pooled oil inside of it.

Especially after my tune, I do notice a lot of whistling noises which I assume are from a diverter valve. I noticed them on my completely stock old N54 car as well after tuning (stock CP and IC).

EDIT: After thinking about it, I think your diagram is flawed. I believe that the air flowing through the charge pipe actually creates a low pressure area around the o-ring. So it actually pulls the o-ring and that is why it is tapered one way for the hot side and the opposite way for the cold side. If it's oriented the way you drew it, it might actually cause the seal to be pulled open slightly which would then cause the high pressure in the charge pipe to blow out the air. If it was installed the way I'm recommending, the seal would constantly be pulled against the IC port even harder as more air was drawn through.

This is just a theory. I have no idea if it's true. But it would explain why the o-ring orientation is reversed for each side of the IC.

Yes, it could be.

I hear it when I'm pressing down the gas pedal or a long run...

[khj24]

Originally Posted by upsidedownfunnel

Which CP did you buy? Some have issues with tolerances. It could just be too tight.

VRSF, I wonder if I needed to oil the IC as well. That could have made the o ring grab and twist. But looking at your edit, I think you may be on to something because the air flows in two different directions when you think about it. OUT of TIC, IN to CP. Luckily I have my old intercooler so I can test around with the o ring position without having to bolt everything up.

[khj24]

Originally Posted by upsidedownfunnel

Which CP did you buy? Some have issues with tolerances. It could just be too tight.

SUCCESS! You were right about the O-ring direction, and I was right about my o ring being the issue. The VRSF IC is a bit tighter than stock and that made it twist, but the big issue was that the O ring is older and softer, it doesn't seem to hold its shape as well. The new one I put on is much firmer and rigid, this meant when coupled it did not twist as I tested a few times just to be sure. Most importantly the car drives great, makes less whooshing noises and seems that it has way better response and low down power. Thanks for the help!!

[Eschmacher]

You got the part number for that oring by any chance? might swap mine out for the peace of mind.

Edit: 13718596850, found on realoem.

[oceanview]

Originally Posted by e46m3to335i

I stumbled across this thread just curious as to what it was about. I installed a VRSF CP on my car a few weeks ago. Noticed I wasn't hitting target on my pills by ~1-1.5 psi. Didn't really think much of it and wrote it off because it has been super hot lately and my AIT's were stupid high.

Low and behold, I didn't even know there was a o-ring on the IC side of the CP that needed to be transferred to the new VRSF CP 😂😂.

Guess I'll have to take care of that next weekend when I get back home from vacation.

Originally Posted by khj24

Yea I watched that guide, but I also saw one that contradicted it lol. I can see this being correct, but I dont know how you guys were able to get it installed this way without the o ring twisting.

By the way KUDOS go to BMW DIY Guy who did the video.