never ending CAC tube leaks

pcassidy111 · April 13, 2006

I have installed new clamps, torqued to spec (109 inch/lbs), warmed up engine and retorqued the clamps and I still have an oil leak from the CAC tube (hot air side) I have this problem on 2 trucks that I have cleaned/tightened the CAC tube clamps and they are both leaking at the turbo clamps. Any tricks you Ford Techs are using to prevent leaks? I am not a Ford dealer and am just starting to see these engines. Any suggstions would be appreciated-I hate comebacks. /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/banghead.gif

gasgasman · April 13, 2006

Some "seepage" is normal.

Torqued_Up · April 14, 2006

Have you replaced the connector hose itself? Many of these hoses at the turbo are perforated and leak. I think it's a defect in manufacturing. I have seen them tear as well. If this is happening then nothing you do with the clamps is going to help.

Jim Warman · April 14, 2006

The tendency, when faced with "dust stickies" around a CAC boot, is to reef up on the hose clamps.... doesn't take much over factory spec and the clamps cut into the boot - little concern = big trouble.

On "problem" joints, you can clean all contamination off the connections and spray HighTack on the hose and the "nipple" and leave them set a few minutes before assembly.... word of warning - you'll need to assemble everything right the first time and you may not think much of the idea come time to take it apart later (SnapOn and others sell a set of hose picks that helps).

This idea is especially helpful when dealing with the CAC tube side of the boot.

Oh, yeah... I never, ever undo that connection.... the boot comes off the turbo or off the CAC... I never take it off the tube unless I'm replacing it....

pcassidy111 · April 14, 2006

My problem is at the turbo end of the hose (at the turbo), it is dripping and I want to fix this leak before looking any further. Jim, you use Hightack red, in the spray can? I am going to try a new turbo end hose on my truck and if that fixes my leak then I will use a new turbo end hose on the other truck.

Jim Warman · April 16, 2006

Yep... the red High Tack spray. Seems to have solved my "problem children"...

pcassidy111 · April 24, 2006

Put a new turbo end hose on my personal truck, cleaned the mating surfaces and tightened all the clamps to 106in/lb. So far I have retorqued the camps to 106in/lb 7 times over a 4 day period. They seem to 'relax' to around 90 in/lb-maybe this is why they leak when only torqued to spec 1 time? I do not see the hoses being cut into and I don't think the clamp is failing (becoming bell shaped as some have said will happen when this clamp is overtorqued). I don't think that I am crushing the tubes because I am not exceeding the torque spec. Has anyone else experienced this 'phenomenum'? Good news is no leaks so far.