I was under my car today installing the IPD skidplate that I bought from a member from SS and noticed something very strange. The black plastic dam that covers the underside of the radiator had some oily sludge build up (no leaking on the floor of the garage). I took the plastic piece loose and noticed a large in diameter (a bit more than 2 inches) but short hose with a 90degree bend in it with clamps on each end coming from the lower end of the radiator. It was clamped really tight but the hose seemed soft and there was the same sludge built up around it and one section of the hose was wet on the underside. I looked it up in VADIS which labels it as a Charge Air Hose. Found on fcpgroton's site and VS that it is called a Intercooler hose (to intercooler), driver's side. I found a Brit site that mentioned a service bulletin for this and that Volvo replaced this due to it not lasting the life of the car that it's suppose to. I don't see that on any U.S. sites, but there is a SB# 5520001 from Sept '98 that mentions Vacuum Hose clamps. I've also read that near this hose is a breather hole to let condensation out. So, I don't know if I'm needing to replace this hose or not...if this is normal. Also, noticed a half quart low on oil but I'm about 500 miles away from replacing oil again, so this could be normal. If I take this hose loose am I going to have oil spilling out? Will it harm anything to keep driving like this until my oil change? Does anyone have exprience with this hose and it's issue. The Volvo part number is #6842167. Evidently the '99 and later Turbo's don't have this. I assume it's some type of high pressure air hose to the turbo that recirulates air...sort of like the PVC system in some other cars. I may be wrong about that though....any help understanding this and what I should do would be greatly appreciated.
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1998 S70 T5 Emarald Green Metallic, 2004 V70 2.5T Ruby Red, Previous Owner of Black '94 850 Turbo Wagon