Intercooler Cleaning IC [Merged 11-7] clean smic fmic

[Sicstylz]

I had the same problem as you. But I haven't cleaned my intercooler yet. The problem I was having was my valve cover gasket. I also believe there is a little in the cover, near a thread.
I replaced the gaskets, spark plugs gaskets too, new plugs and wires.
Now everything is good. But the car seems to not want to pull as hard. However, IT DOESN"T JERK ANYMORE.
I guess check for boost leaks. I will be cleaning the intercooler today, and definitly making sure everything goes back on nice and tight.
Check your gaskets, and plugs while your hood is open.

[Sicstylz]

Originally posted by Sicstylz
I had the same problem as you. But I haven't cleaned my intercooler yet. The problem I was having was my valve cover gasket. I also believe there is a little in the cover, near a thread.
I replaced the gaskets, spark plugs gaskets too, new plugs and wires.
Now everything is good. But the car seems to not want to pull as hard. However, IT DOESN"T JERK ANYMORE.
I guess check for boost leaks. I will be cleaning the intercooler today, and definitly making sure everything goes back on nice and tight.
Check your gaskets, and plugs while your hood is open.

What I meant was *There might be a little crack, near a thread*

[Keaka26]

sounds like a boost leak to me...do you have a boost guage? are you making normal boost levels?

[TalonRacer18]

did you have the bov before you cleaned the intercooler? Do you vent to the atmosphere? Sounds like the bov isnt holding boost above 4500 rpms, when it starts to jutter.

[RacerXXX]

I wanted to know if anyone has ever cleaned a FMIC? I asume it would have to be removed witch looks like a pita.

Is a FMIC easy to damage or get holes in from small rocks on the highway.

I was thinking if a screen was put in front, of the FMIC, it might protect it and hope fully not cause it to run hotter.




Thanks,
Jim

[focusedrage]

you tlking aobut a new fmic?

when i cleaned my stocker, i filled it with gas and shook it for a while, repeat. then i soaped it and washed it out, then connected it to the blow on my shopvac and air dryed it.

some fmic are sturdy and will take small things, but youll still get some sh*t in them. a screen wont do much

[Dieselboy]

A screen wont block airflow to a significant extent, so dont worry about that. You can clean an FMIC the same way as a stocker. Use rubbing alcohol or gasoline to clean, rinse, dry, repeat if necessary.

[13secGST]

I have some screen mesh in front of mine...if I hadn't done that then your right rocks and bugs galore in my FMIC...And my intake temps stay nice and low (I have a gauge) normally not more than 10 degrees above outside...and actually the faster you go the more it cools down. AND when I first start in the morning the Intake temps are actually about 10degrees below outside temp but they heat up. so yeh if your getting a FMIC than put a screen in front of it as it will protect it and prolong its life for a long time.

[RacerXXX]

How long would it take to take out a FMIC to clean from a 2nd gen?
I belive you have to take out the front bumber.



Thanks again,
Jim

[InfamousEclipse]

I bought DCsGST's 98 SMIC and its pretty durty. Whats the best way to clean this up for better performance, B4 I install it?

[sirhcs 4g63]

the way i cleaned my SMIC while my 6-bolt was being dropped in was running some gasoline in the IC with the ends plugged and then pouring it out. I repeated this until the gasoline came out the same color it went in. then also cleaning and straightening the fins.

[DSMSpyder99]

if you dont want to use gasoline you can use rubbing alcohol about 3 bottle did the trick for my friend with a 1G talon

[DSMSpyder99]

if you dont want to use gasoline you can use rubbing alcohol about 3 bottle did the trick for my friend with a 1G talon

[Groomz]

I used gasoline and a leaf blower to dry it out. Done it twice that way ( 2 different DSMs ) and its worked so far.

www.vfaq.com

This site helped too.

[CycloneAWD]

Varsol and a big parts washer, worked great for me...Although you kinda need access to that...Rubbing alcohol, or Brake Cleen work great too, you just need more of it...Plus dry time is a big thing...I left mine for about 2 days...

[90DSMTurboFWD]

You dont have to let it dry that long. I put about 1/6 a gallon of gas in at a time and shook the hell out of it, in the end I used about a gallon. do a good job of pouring it out, turn it upside down and let it dry in the sun. No it won't blow up, the sun will turn whatever liquid is left into vapor and it will just evaporate, however, don't leave the gas can in the sun...that could be bad. Anyway, let it dry for about an hour then slap it back on and you are good to go.

[Turbo_Frog]

Don't mean to thread jack but it has to do with the topic at hand..........When you do this, do you pour the gas or alcohol directly into the intercooler through the fins? or through one of the pipes on top or bottom? Or does it matter? Thanks!

[jake98gst]

Air has to flow through the intercooler to get cooled and then off it goes to the engine. So if a gas poured on the outside somehow gets to the inside and cleans it, it's a problem. You would pour it in an end tank with the opposite one capped. Then cap them both and shake.

[Turbo_Frog]

Thanks Jake......another question. What can I use to cap off the ends? Just stuff an old rag or towel? or is there something easier to use?

[90DSMTurboFWD]

You dont even have to stuff the ends. Very little will come out if you are shaking it well. You dont need to turn it upside down. Just hold the ends and shake like hell.

[DCsGST]

When I cleaned it 8 mths ago, I did the gas trick. I just used my palms to plug the ends and pretended I was making shake n bake. That worked for the inside, but for the fins I soaked it with the strongest degreaser I could find, let it set, then ran a hose through it (back 2 front) You won't believe the amount of shyte that was lodged in between the fins. After it was all dry I spent a hour straightening fins.

[QuickClipse2]

I cleaned my intercooler for the first time today and it was more challenging than i thought. Once i got it off, i straigtened out some of the fins and poored lots and lots of gasoline in it.

Now what? Am i supposed to rinse it with water? Is there anything else i can do now that its off? How long should i let it dry for? So many questions i know. If you have an answer to any or all just post a reply.

[dthquazi1]

just let it dry in a well ventilated area. You can rince it in water. Just let it dry.