Toyota Supra: Intercooler Charge Pipe Failure Under Boost
Intercooler Charge Pipe Failure Under Boost is a common engine fault on the Toyota Supra on the 2019–2024 cars, and we rate it major. Putting it right costs ≈A$140 to ≈A$830 at independent workshop rates, shown as an approximate guide in Australian dollars. Below is what goes wrong, the symptoms to notice on a test drive, where to look, and what to ask the seller before you hand over any money. It is one of 23 documented faults on the Toyota Supra.
- Vehicle
- Toyota Supra
- Years
- 2019–2024
- Fuel
- petrol
- System
- Engine
What you are looking at
No photograph available
What goes wrong
The factory lower intercooler-to-throttle-body charge pipe (also called the hot-side or cold-side boost pipe) uses a rubber coupler or moulded silicone boot that is prone to splitting or blowing off its retaining clamp under sustained high-boost driving. When it fails, the engine loses all boost pressure immediately, causing a severe lean condition and loss of power. The failure is more common on modified or tracked cars but has also been reported on otherwise stock vehicles under repeated hard driving.
What you would notice
- Sudden loss of boost pressure during hard acceleration, often accompanied by a loud pop or hiss
- Check engine light with charge-air-related fault codes (P0299 — boost pressure below threshold)
- Visible split or detached rubber coupler in the engine bay after a boost event
- Engine running very lean momentarily then defaulting to limp mode
- Oil mist residue around intercooler pipe joints visible on casual inspection
How to check it
Where to look. Front of engine bay, between the front-mounted intercooler and the B58 throttle body; lower charge pipe runs along the bottom of the intake path
Inspect the full length of intercooler piping — both charge pipes and all couplers — for cracks, oil residue (a sign of previous boost leak), soft spots in the rubber, and loose or corroded hose clamps. Squeeze the rubber couplers; a healthy coupler is firm and does not crack. Look for black streaking or oily residue around joints, indicating previous leak events. A boost leak test using a smoke machine is definitive.
What it costs to put right
≈A$140 to ≈A$830 at independent workshop rates, shown as an approximate guide in Australian dollars. That is for this job on its own, not for the car.
Ask the seller
- “Has the factory intercooler charge pipe or its couplers ever been replaced or upgraded, and why?”
- “Has the car been modified for more boost pressure, which would accelerate pipe coupler failure?”
Now check the Toyota Supra you are actually looking at
Everything above is true of the model, and it is free. What it does not tell you is whether THIS car still has money owing on it, has been written off or reported stolen, what kms it showed in past sale ads, whether it has had accident repair claims and what it is worth today. That comes from the official records for that plate. Enter the plate and its state for the A$17.90 Vehicle Check, or the full history from A$24.99.
Where this comes from
Toyota Supra buyer questions
Is intercooler charge pipe failure under boost serious on a Toyota Supra?
We rate it major and common on the Toyota Supra. The factory lower intercooler-to-throttle-body charge pipe (also called the hot-side or cold-side boost pipe) uses a rubber coupler or moulded silicone boot that is prone to splitting or blowing off its retaining clamp under sustained high-boost driving. When it fails, the engine loses all boost pressure immediately, causing a severe lean condition and loss of power. The failure is more common on modified or tracked cars but has also been reported on otherwise stock vehicles under repeated hard driving.
How much does it cost to fix on a Toyota Supra?
≈A$140 to ≈A$830 at independent workshop rates, shown as an approximate guide in Australian dollars. That figure is for this job on its own. A car showing the symptoms on this page is usually worth either walking away from or negotiating down by at least the repair figure.
Which Toyota Supra years are affected?
Our research records this fault on the 2019–2024 Toyota Supra. Build dates move around, especially on imported cars, so treat the range as the years to look hardest at rather than a guarantee either way. The official records tell you the exact build and first registration date for the car in front of you.
How do I check for it before I buy?
Inspect the full length of intercooler piping — both charge pipes and all couplers — for cracks, oil residue (a sign of previous boost leak), soft spots in the rubber, and loose or corroded hose clamps. Squeeze the rubber couplers; a healthy coupler is firm and does not crack. Look for black streaking or oily residue around joints, indicating previous leak events. A boost leak test using a smoke machine is definitive. Look here: Front of engine bay, between the front-mounted intercooler and the B58 throttle body; lower charge pipe runs along the bottom of the intake path