I just bought a FMIC from a known vendor and it was shipped with the least amount of care possible. FMIC was outside the box on the porch pretty much . It's full of scratches,bent fins, just not what I was expecting. None the less, comestics is one thing, but my biggest concerns is just how dirty inside the intercooler is. I took off the caps and you can literally see black dirt. Then with gloves, I swiped inside it and there was little metal specks all over my finger, like little glitter.

What do you guys think? Should I try cleaning this thing out with gasoline? or considering the metal specks, just ask for a refund (which would be very time consuming.) Thanks for your time guys.

Pics would tell a better tale. If it's as bad as I'm imagining from your description, id send it back and ask for a refund/exchange. Time is one thing, but spending money on a product implies a quality and clean product be provided (imho).

I'd contact the vendor and send them pics, ask what can be done. Have you contacted the shipping company about the external damage?

If you do decide to clean it, I'd recommend kerosene or mineral spirits. MS are less volatile and clean very well, plus it's pretty cheap.

Initially I was going to post a pic, but I don't want to down play the product, it just may of been a dud. I will send pictures to the respected vendor and see what they have to say though. I was also unaware that I could contact the shipping company, but the way it was packaged, it was almost inevitable. Dirt and grime can certainly be washed away, but the metal specks is my concern. Tametalon I appreciate your input, will be getting in contact for sure with the vendor. If I do decide to keep it, is there a mineral spirit you'd recommend or are they all the same pretty much?

Any good petrol based cleaner will work. diesel, keroseen, aceatone, mineral spirits, etc..

Just regular mineral spirits that you can find at home depot or lowes will work. Be sure to let it drain/dry completely after you clean it.