A leak in the line

The good news right from the start: If the smell of something burning spreads inside the car and smoke billows out from under the bonnet, the driver usually has enough time to slow down and pull over to the side of the road so that all passengers can get to safety. But how can a fire break out in a moving car in the first place? A short circuit is one possibility. Very often, however, it is because oil, from a defective supply or return line on the turbocharger, for example, hits hot parts and ignites. The causes of leaks can be manifold: from porous seals to mechanical influences, from blockages due to sludge deposits – caused, for example, by low-quality or incorrect oil, irregular oil changes and frequent short-distance journeys – to corrosion and/or age-related material fatigue or missing softeners in installed rubber parts. If the engine compartment is oily or if there are tell-tale signs of oil stains under the vehicle, it is essential to check the oil lines, otherwise the turbocharger or even the engine as a whole may be damaged by insufficient lubrication and insufficient oil pressure – or the vehicle may even catch fire. By the way, when the turbocharger is replaced, the supply line should also be renewed in order to avoid damage to the new turbocharger due to the presence of impurities. AIC currently has 10 “Oil lines, charger” for 584 vehicle applications in its range. Just take a look at the spare parts catalogue or on our website.