[Robbosham]

Hello,
my i30 has been reasonably reliable up to this point, minor electrical issues with unable to get out of park and wheel speed sensors, this is its first major issue.
I filled up my tank and was heading down the highway, and above the music i heard a ticking sound from engine and it started losing power, so turned around, it had little power, the further the throttle was pushed the slower it was.
i glanced back while climbing a hill and couldn't see the car behind me due to the massive amount of smoke the car was pushing out. got it to a safe spot, and left it over weekend.
I put a cheap OBDII reader it showed low boost pressure, P0299
I took to a mechanic and they pretty quickly found the fault, took off the top cover and checked intake manifold, multiple point across it have been burnt/leaking see pics attached.
they had no idea how the hell it happened, My diesel mechanic brother has no idea either, they quoted me $2750AUD for replacement and fitting, what else could need replacing as well?
car has had its normal regular servicing 10-15,000km's it currently has just under 140,000km

[I30 GD]

Google it, most common answer is the intake manifold will have blobs of soot and sludge in it, mine did when I cleaned it out.

These blobs can get hot and melt through if either your EGR is stuck open and constantly passing hot exhaust gas or possibly a faulty injector, I would go the cheap route first and clean your EGR valve and pipe out and check it's working.

The manifold isn't that difficult to fit if you're mechanically minded and can find a cheap replacement.