Intercooler Cleaning

[G60Jet 1]

Well

 

I've just had the charger rebuilt and i was thinking of cleaning the internals of my intercooler and removing the oil out of it that has no doubt coated the inside caused by the slgiht oil seal failure on my charger

 

Has anyone ever done this? and if so what do you clean it with.

 

I was going to use loads of hot water and soap and try and float the oil out of it by soaking it in a tub.

 

Any Ideas.

[Banana Man 0]

I would try mixing hot water with a degreaser like gunk or something similar that should break down the oily deposits in it!!!

[G60ING 0]

I would try mixing hot water with a degreaser like gunk or something similar that should break down the oily deposits in it!!!

I've done that at the car wash. But I've heard of a few people taking it to a radiator shop and getting it cleaned and pressure tested. Also one person bought a gallong of carb cleaner and let his IC soak in it. But its definatly worth cleaning

[steveo29 0]

just a thought.....have you tried getting klubber(chargergrease) off your hands?? it sticks like hell...id use petrol or paint thinner...

 

if you decide to use degreaser use it neat...fill up the ic and soak it,then use water to flush it..you can get a gallon of degreaser quite cheep at motor factors

[VR6 0]

.....you can get a gallon of degreaser quite cheep at motor factors

 

 

If only we knew someone who worked at motor factors........... :wink:

 

 

Any ideas Ant? :lol:

[Banana Man 0]

I have no idea what your on about Tom!!!! :wink: :wink:

 

I dont think my services will be of much use to G60jet as he's a bit further than just round the corner from me!!!!! :D :crazyeyes:

 

Carb cleaner is also a quality degreaser I either buy it in a spray can or in a 5ltr bottle if you put that in neat and left it to soak that would get all the crud out no probs!! You've got me thinking about doing it now!!! but theres not really much point as I should be getting the charge cooler on it this month!!!! Werhay :D

[G60ING 0]

I've used lighter fluid like one would use to light a BBQ to clean parts too. Its a petrol product but its a little safer to use and store. Plus its cheap and over here its available at grocery stores for those late night parts cleaning sessions

[G60Jet 1]

I've used lighter fluid like one would use to light a BBQ to clean parts too. Its a petrol product but its a little safer to use and store. Plus its cheap and over here its available at grocery stores for those late night parts cleaning sessions

 

HMmm match anyone!!LOL

[16VG60 1]

My personal reccomendation for cleaning out your intercooler is to use neat undiluted water soluble engine degreaser. I would not reccomend leaving this to soak in, as long term exposure can cause damage to seals. Simply fill apprx half the cooler with degreaser and aggitate to loosen more stubborn deposits. this process should only take 5 to 10 mins. Next flush through with cold water, and finaly leave cooler to drain completely. Hey Nugget fella, what charge cooler are you using.

[Banana Man 0]

Its going to be one of yours you plonker!!!! :D I was talking to darren bout it earlier in the week, I'm possibly coming down on Sunday to sort out some chrome bits for me engine bay and to sort out the cooler not sure about running the marine pump though been told about a merc water pump that apperently runs of 12v ( bit cheaper) I'm going to find out a bit more about first though!!

[G60ING 0]

I've used lighter fluid like one would use to light a BBQ to clean parts too. Its a petrol product but its a little safer to use and store. Plus its cheap and over here its available at grocery stores for those late night parts cleaning sessions

 

HMmm match anyone!!LOL

 

Never had any problems but then again I don't smoke

[Jon TDI 0]

I cleaned out the intercooler at the weekend.

After I had got the cooler off the car (those 17mm bolts that hold the bumper on are bloody tight!!!) I brushed on some Gunk degreaser onto the front surface & let it drain inbetween the fins for about 5 mins. Then hosed it out with cold water. Turned the cooler around & did the same with the back. I repeated this about 3 times.

Then I poured some Gunk into the end tanks, let soak in for 5 mins & then flushed them out with cold water, until the water was clear. Dried it off with a hair drier & assembled back out the car.

While I had the the bumper & wheel arch liner off, I drilled a series of 10mm diameter holes into the wheel arch liner to aid air flow around the intercooler.

Impressions are a slight difference in responsiveness at speed. i.e better & smoother response at 50-70mph. :)