Bent intercooler, should I get a new one?

[David199619]

Hello all. Today I hit the curb at 5-10 mph due to snow. My bumper took 0 damage, but my intercooler actually bent. Every fin on the lowest row is now caved in, and the actual intercooler is now bent backwards. I don't hear or feel any leaks. I don't even notice any difference in drivability, or performance, should I be worried about it? I don't have many pictures, but I took a quick picture when I got back to my apartment of the general front of my car. I do not know what type of fmic it is, the previous owner put it on. I would automatically get a new one but somehow he kept the fogs and the fmic, and I like the fogs, and I'm also tight on cash at the moment. I know it's a terrible picture, but it's better than nothing. It is bent a bit angling it. The bottom is farther back than the top. Also, I know my passenger fog is missing the housing, it has been for about a month, and I'm not worried about getting one at the moment, going to check a junk yard for one on the weekend as I live 1 minute walking distance from one.

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[4Lurker4]

Pressure test it (block one side with something and put a boost leak tester on the other side). If it's good, run it. It also depends on the bend but most intercoolers can take quite a bit and by the looks of it, you bent the mounting points, not the core itself so you're good in that respect Just make sure the mounting locations are solid though, for safety reasons. The bent fins aren't an issue (although they diminish the efficiency of the cooling) your main issue is with the tubes, making sure those aren't punctured or ripped. The pressure test will tell you everything.

 

[David199619]

Pressure test it (block one side with something and put a boost leak tester on the other side). If it's good, run it. It also depends on the bend but most intercoolers can take quite a bit and by the looks of it, you bent the mounting points, not the core itself so you're good in that respect Just make sure the mounting locations are solid though, for safety reasons. The bent fins aren't an issue (although they diminish the efficiency of the cooling) your main issue is with the tubes, making sure those aren't punctured or ripped. The pressure test will tell you everything.

Hopefully it is just the mounts, but I will do a further inspection and post more pictures tomorrow. I don't own a pressure tester, so what would I need to do this? Is this the little contraption that I make with pvc and can connect a bike pump to? And thank you for replying.

 

[jared98gst]

Search boost leak test should be plenty of examples of setups

 

[David199619]

Search boost leak test should be plenty of examples of setups

Alright cool, will look tomorrow for the examples and hopefully get the test done. Will update when I do, although I feel it is alright. Thank you.