How to clean oil out of SM inercooler? Help.

1gAWD92 · Feb 20, 2012

Hello Again. Im still working on getting my Laser back and running due to a blown T3 set-up from previous owner.(im going EVO 16g) Got maybe another week before its on the road again :hellyeah:

Here is the question, I have bin looking in the forums for the proper way to clean and get rid of the oil in ANY mount inercooler. im dealing with the stock side mount. So what is the best way to get rid of the oil, and make that inercooler shine?

Thanks,
And Happy Tuning

4Lurker4 · Feb 20, 2012

For the interior, gasoline works great. Just make sure to air it out or pass it in water to get rid of the fumes after.

agentorange313 · Feb 20, 2012

search and ye shall receive, found in our tech article section:

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/art...47-1g-stock-intercooler-removal-cleaning.html

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/new...-cleaning-ic-merged-11-7-clean-smic-fmic.html

Burntz · Feb 20, 2012

Iv also heard gasoline. Fill er up and let it sit a bit. Should also let you know if it has any leaks.

Rinse it out well with water after and then dry it with a fan or compressed air.

theoutlaw82 · Feb 20, 2012

You could use a heat gun or blow dryer to dry it out after you rinse it.

WES_393 · Feb 20, 2012

I have always used gasoline on the inside. For the outside you could try some brake parts cleaner. If you think that might be too harsh, use some aluminum rim cleaner and a soft brush. I would also use a small flat head screwdriver to spread open some of those air foils.

theoutlaw82 · Feb 20, 2012

While you have it out I'd go to the parts store and piick up a cheap fin straightener and straighten the fins on it.

1gAWD92 · Feb 20, 2012

agentorange313 said:
search and ye shall receive, found in our tech article section:

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/art...47-1g-stock-intercooler-removal-cleaning.html

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/new...-cleaning-ic-merged-11-7-clean-smic-fmic.html

guess i should have looked around a little more :ohdamn:

. but thanks to all. i would be pretty lost with out this site. have learned a lot from you all sense i have bought this car. thanks again. :thumb:

theoutlaw82 said:
While you have it out I'd go to the parts store and piick up a cheap fin straightener and straighten the fins on it.

didnt know that they had something like that. thats cool.

bryanwheat · Feb 20, 2012

IF you want to clean oil out than go pick up a gallon of purple power from the parts store. Mix it 50/50 with water and block off one side. Fill the intercooler and let it sit for a few hours. Now you can drain it out and flush with water. This will get it cleaner than gasoline and it safer and way less stinky.

knochgoon24 · Feb 20, 2012

bryanwheat said:
IF you want to clean oil out than go pick up a gallon of purple power from the parts store. Mix it 50/50 with water and block off one side. Fill the intercooler and let it sit for a few hours. Now you can drain it out and flush with water. This will get it cleaner than gasoline and it safer and way less stinky.

And it also has a nasty side effect of leaving a nice white film, or at least it did when I let aluminum parts soak in it.

I'd get yourself a large can of parts dip / carb cleaner. Swish some of that around inside. Or go the gasoline route.

bryanwheat · Feb 20, 2012

knochgoon24 said:
And it also has a nasty side effect of leaving a nice white film, or at least it did when I let aluminum parts soak in it.

I'd get yourself a large can of parts dip / carb cleaner. Swish some of that around inside. Or go the gasoline route.

If you don't dilute it of coarse. IF you dilute it and rinse of off well you won't have any problems. You also CAN'T let it dry on an aluminum surface. I use about a gallon of it a week and have never had a film problem. I can take pics of many parts that i have cleaned with it to show you. Another good thing about it is that it is non toxic and is bio degradable. Breathing in carb clean or gasoline is horrible for your lungs.

before: