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

[Atari007]

I have read a lot about cleaning your intercooler... I was just wondering if any of you guys have done it, and can you feel a differance? I took a look at mine this morning and it does look pretty nasty...........

 

[CyberEye]

www.vfaq.com

 

[Tsi_User]

the link in the Tech Guide on how to clean out the intercooler is down, maybe a mod can fix this

 

[funniegus]

Use gas!

 

[me612]

yup, that's how I clean mine. I put some gas in there, swish it around, and dump it out. I do it a few times until the gas coming out looks as clean as it did going in. Then I let it sit and air out overnight before putting it back on.

 

[psychlow]

I use acetone. Splash it around in there, drain, and repeat until it comes out clean. Follow up with a couple water flushes, and reinstall.

 

[Defiant]

hey i was just wondering what the best way to clean my stock intercooler and all the piping cause they got a lot of oil and crap in them and really need some cleaning done, thanks!!!!

Nice searching.

http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=127396

 

[kmf4i]

There is a link for a FAQ on this but the link is a dead end. I was hoping some one could clue me in on how to clean my intercooler.

 

[CanadianTSi]

Jack up the car, take off the wheel, take off the splash guard, unbolt the intercooler, put some gas in it and swish it around, repeat until the crap that comes out isn't black anymore, re-install everything.

 

[kmf4i]

If you hadn't have told me to use gas, I probably would have been in the driveway spraying the garden hose in there.

Thanks for the help.

 

[paranoidTSi]

Hell you don't have to even take off the wheel, turning the wheel should give you enough clearance to pull the intercooler out.

 

[psychlow]

Cleaned my intercooler yesterday - found out that naptha works wonders.

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It can be found at Lowes or Home Depot under the name "VM&P Naptha" in a can like the above.

Took just two times for my very dirty intercooler (from a blown 16G that blew oil into the intake) to be completely clean. Used under a quart for the entire process.

Figured I'd post this in case someone wants an easier way to do this instead of using gasoline.

 

[leet]

I use solvent as well. Works great.

 

[AdoreGSX]

did anyone notice a difference in spool-up sound and bov sound after doing this? I did, and am just wondering if its normal.

 

[seminoles2005]

i took of my smic today and its alittle dirty but id like to know the best way to clean it up so it will look better when i try to sell it, its practically perfect, about 5 bent fins in the front and no bent fins in the back, i think thats good for a 1990. I have heard that gasoline is used to clean it out but would kerosene help? I use it at work to clean parts off all the time and i dont see why it would hurt it but im wondering if theirs a better way?

 

[2gPressure]

I think you can use either but here is a post on it
http://www.dsmtuners.com/forums/showthread.php?t=127396&highlight=intercooler+cleaning

 

[GZ-Rahvin]

Gasoline

filled it up with some gas sealed the endtanks with cloth give it a few good shakes and repeat till the gas comes out in its original color

 

[Zenja]

, you guys make it seem a lot harder than it is. You don't have to take anything off. Leave the wheel/fender/bumper the way it is. the only hard part about taking the thing off is one bolt which you have to reach through the side "inlet" in the front bumper that leads to the IC. Just stick a ratchet and small extension on there and after a few minutes it will be out.

Gas works fine, it started coming out clean in no time. I used 3L but I probably didn't need quite that much.

 

[forumboarder154]

When you clean your intercooler do you just clean the passenger side or both sides?

 

[FastGS-T]

what do you mean? take the intercooler off and pour gasoline through it and shake it up then wash it out with water and let it dry

 

[andymoraitis]

If you don't want to deal with combustible materials, rubbing alcohol also does a good job. Just pour some in, put your hands over both end tanks, shake it and pour out the mess. When your cleaning solution comes out clear, it's done. As mentioned above, let it dry and re-install it (using alcohol eliminates the water-washing stage).

Have fun,

Andy

 

[xSojooxShotzx]

I think you meant whether or not you clean the driverside and the passenger intercoolers... Right? You only have one intercooler and it's right in front of your passengerside front tire. It's not that hard to clean, but it sure is FUN~ *sarcasm*

Howie~

 

[sfron03]

i was about to say that we only have one intercooler.

 

[xveganxcowboyx]

If you don't want to deal with combustible materials, rubbing alcohol also does a good job.

Rubbing alcohol is also combustible, though not quite as stinky.

 

[kicker91laser]

I am wanting to know what those who have cleaned cast aluminum (ie i/c endtanks) have used. Just bought a liquid/air and want to clean the aluminum oxide off of the inside/outside without damaging it.

 

[syclone]

Mother's aluminum pollish, will work, or eagle aluminium polish, pretty much any polish, just stay away from anything course. as alumininum is soft

Jamie Sanders