Intercooler Cleaning IC [Merged 11-7] clean smic fmic - Page 4

98x · 04-13-2004, 10:19 AM

does anyone have any pics of the process of taking the ic off and putting it back on. I did my uic pipes but never thought about looking how the intercooler is mounted. Any help would be appreciated.

1993eclipseGS · 04-13-2004, 10:35 AM

On the 1g's I believe there are only 4bolts holding the intercooler on, besides the uicp/licp. When I cleaned mine I went and got a gallon of gasoline, Capped one end of the ic then dumped some gas in the other side,capped that then shook it really good, then let all the gas out and repeat, you should notice the gasoline getting cleaner the more you do this. Oh ya, I just let it air dry alittle bit then put it back on. So its not like it took more then a day or anything.Also, here is a before and after pic of when I did mine.

Rob.

Eclipse96Ryder · 04-13-2004, 10:40 AM

i used brake cleaner on mine. Its a pretty simple process. I let mine dry for about 3-4 hours..im in hot AZ tho. Also, I put a blow dryer next to it and the air was blowing in one of my inlets and out the other...i put the blow dryer on the "cold air" setting tho, and I did this for about 30 minutes, because i didnt wanna burn up my friends moms blow dryer. haha.

Jimmy Jr. · 04-13-2004, 10:47 AM

The stock smic is a pain in the ass, there are a few bolts that hold it on and two of them are easy but the one on top is a bitch. Just remove the black plastic air duct to make it easier.

98x · 04-13-2004, 10:47 AM

yah break cleaner sounds like it's going to work the best for me. any problems with broken bolts or anything like that?

doug · 04-13-2004, 11:31 AM

The easiest way to get to the top bolt on the SMIC is to remove the two bolts/screws (don't remember which they are) on the passenger side end of the front bumper cover. That way, you can then bend the bumper cover down a little and slide a ratchet/wrench/whatever in the gap and get to that top bolt.

RiceKiller_TSi · 04-13-2004, 01:11 PM

I have nothing to add as Defiant has said it all.

AiR · 05-04-2004, 01:25 AM

i used gas pressure washed the outside and then blew it out with compressed air and put it back on in 20 minutes

domino · 06-06-2004, 03:30 PM

Anyone have a desire for one of these, just did mine today and took some pics along the way

psychlow · 06-06-2004, 04:28 PM

There's always a question or two every month or so, so it definitely wouldn't hurt.

Eclipse96Ryder · 06-06-2004, 04:52 PM

i just did mine 3 months ago, i used brake cleaner, i did all my pipes and everything....the color of the brake cleaner when it left the intercooler was NASTY...it was definately worh the time

4geze63 · 06-06-2004, 07:27 PM

I recently did mine with gas, worked great, I also set the IC on its side and sprayed tons of degreaser on all the fins and it remove a shit load of gunk from inside.

If you dont want to wait for your ic to dry for 2 hours, hook a shop vac upto one end on blow function for 5 mins, then do the other side and your good togo.

domino · 06-07-2004, 12:31 AM

Once i get the pics of my dads camera, ill post a write-up, it was pretty easy except for the damn plastic screws and the hidden bolts :-p hope you're good at takin headlights out

a_scobel · 07-10-2004, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doug

The easiest way to get to the top bolt on the SMIC is to remove the two bolts/screws (don't remember which they are) on the passenger side end of the front bumper cover. That way, you can then bend the bumper cover down a little and slide a ratchet/wrench/whatever in the gap and get to that top bolt.

No...just take the headlight off. Easiest way, I found. If you've broken the bottom bolt holding the headlight on, it's even easier.

aleccolin · 07-10-2004, 09:28 PM

I was actually planning on just getting a gallon of parts cleaner solvent (in the paint can, from any parts store) and pouring that in with a funnel. Then you can take all the old stuff that you've poured out into another container and put it back in the can and re-use. Even dirty as hell, it'll still clean the crap out of some parts.

BoredOutaMyMind · 07-20-2004, 04:37 PM

ok, today i cleaned my intercooler, i took it off, put some gasoline in it, shook it around, and dumped it out, til the gas came out clear. Then i sprayed a little water on the fins to try to loosen up the dirt. After this, i let it air dry for maybe 30min, put it back on, and set a fan on the IC for about an hour.
After all this, i tried giving it a test run (ive seen many ppl post that you dont really need to let the gas evaporate because it will be burned off quickly when running). However it ran fine for maybe 2 WOT 1st and 2nd gear (not revved high or anything, highest i got it up to was 40mph) and then when i let off the gas one time, i heard a PSSHHH sound (like a loud BOV) yet i have the stock BOV

. It just didnt feel right so i let off and babied it back to my house. I tried again around the block with a lil gas, and now whenever the turbo spools up, the car all the sudden bogs, shudders a little, slows down, the RPMs wont go up, and the stock turbo boost gauge says its still spooling. Even after i push in the clutch and let off the gas, the turbo gauge still stays stil, til i rev the engine a lil, but sometimes it will gradually go away. Well i am totally confused on this one

. Could i have gotten some water into the IC when i cleaned the outside? and maybe some water got into my engine? I've checked the hoses and they all seem to be attached still (stock IC hoses too btw) but its hard to tell if the UICP is still connected without jacking the car up and looking behind the fender thing. PLEASE any help will be appreciated!

BoredOutaMyMind · 07-20-2004, 04:40 PM

Oh i forgot to mention, when i shift, or even just rev the engine a lil (3000ish rpms or so) in neutral etc, it makes a weird sound, its hard to explain but, like something is rubbing metal on metal, not a screech, but more like a clinking, and then the engine bogs down to like 200 rpms, yes two hundred. and idles like crap

spendone · 07-20-2004, 04:42 PM

Best way to find out weitehr or not u got anything into ## system is to check ## piping. Just take ## finger and feel if its wet(hehehehhe) and give it a smell. If it smells like fish dont eat it.

You get the point.

BoredOutaMyMind · 07-20-2004, 05:22 PM

hmmm found out its my UICP.... but its so hard to get on, and i clamp it real tight, but it popped off again, but it stayed on longer this time... hmmm any suggestions? or someone just wanna sell me a UICP or rec one lol

BoredOutaMyMind · 07-20-2004, 07:06 PM

hmmm this might sound retarded, but could i use a little glue on my intercooler tube/outlet? so it wont pop off, or could i ghetto duct tape it til i get a new pipe? lol, any suggestions/replys would be appreciated

spendone · 07-20-2004, 07:31 PM

is it the stock piping or hard piping??? If its hard piping, make sure its beaded around the ends of them or try better clamps. I actually am using the heavy duty worm clamps from RRE and havent had a problem yet. I boost at 20 psi all day long and still havent had one of them pop off on me. I might be getting rid of my uic piping but its hacked for a GM Mas.

BoredOutaMyMind · 07-20-2004, 08:21 PM

yes, it is stock piping, however the LICP is hard, is this normal? then there is a sleeve that attaches the pipe to the turbo, IC etc, also i found out the 2nd time a pipe popped off on me, it was the one leading directly from the turbo, so if u are having these problems too, check all the pipes , even ones u didnt mess with lol

. i dont think i need to ghetto rig it , since its seeming to stay on for now, but i had to use some extra muscle to put it on lol