Intercooler busted open...what to do...

[AWDTalonDE]

Somehow, involving crashing into snow or doing donuts, my sidemount stock intercooler ( what I think - busted open and started spraying everywhere.) The temperature went as hot as it can get on the gauge and I was able to make it home. Is it just a blown intercooler and I need one? Are there any precautious I should take? I have no idea what to do and am scared as shit. 1g AWD TSI talon.

 

[AWDTalonDE]

Update maybe it is my radiator? Hose?

 

[AWDTalonDE]

I'm leading to think it is just my radiator. Perhaps a hose or something. That would explain the over-heating. Same questions for this situation as sidemount.

 

[1993eclipseGS]

Possibly, But no one will ever be able to give you a correct answer with no information regarding the problem.

 

[project94tsi]

yea that intercooler wouldnt spray anything any where except air, you could have just blew off a radiator hose there isnt really a way for us to tell, just go out and take a look, you pegged the water temp gauge and still drove home like that, what are you thinking

 

[I-luv-em-all]

you probably blew a heater hose or rad hose. But you where obiously out of coolent because it was leaking everywhere, but u still drove it like that, that was not so smart you can blow headgaskets and warp heads that way.

 

[AWDTalonDE]

I had to I was in the middle of a deserted parking lot, about 8 min from my house, at 1 am.

 

[AWDTalonDE]

At the time something was spraying and white smoke was pouring out from under the car. When I looked at it this morning, what appears to be the radiator looks to be frozen with icycles. What else should I look for?

 

[billdo_83]

What sprayed everywhere?

Green liquid?
thats called coolant and it doesnt go through your intercooler.

 

[Bostedquest]

"white smoke" is steam. It takes a liquid to make steam, and only a HOT liquid will make steam. So what could make steam that is located under your hood?

Start by looking at the lower radiator hose, I doubt it is anything but that. But just in case, check the hose, if off, put back on and fill radiator. If you knocked it hard enough to get it off you may have done more damage.

I would also start the car and let it IDLE ONLY until the fans kick on (at engine operating temps) If not leaks by then you got lucky.
I would also suggest a leak down test and compression test.
Leak down will check rings, head gasket and possible head cracks.
A relative compression test is always good to do about every 6 months or so.

Also once driving again I would check the oil dipstick once a week for a month. You are looking for a nice grey/brown froth coating the bottom of the dip stick. If it is there, congrats you blew a head gasket, a block or a head.