Intercooler cleaning?

[Drift]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors...%3AIT

Its a little dirty in the openings, can I just run water thru the openings and not hurt it? How does one properly clean an intercooler?

[C-Kwik]

Are you talking about cleaning the internals or the exterior? Personally, I would use a parts cleaner or brake cleaner. Water doesn't really break down oils/grease very well.

[Checkered-Member]

carburetor cleaner should work really well

[Drift]

Are you talking about cleaning the internals or the exterior? Personally, I would use a parts cleaner or brake cleaner. Water doesn't really break down oils/grease very well.

Both actually. I was just thinking after cleaning I'd mask off the endtanks and paint the core silver w/ like some high temp paint to make it look like new. So parts cleaner it is for the exterior. Now what about thru the intercooler?

[MikeMurphy]

Heat is transfered better without any/extra paint on the FMIC. Remember that you are losing efficiency when you paint it.

[C-Kwik]

Both actually. I was just thinking after cleaning I'd mask off the endtanks and paint the core silver w/ like some high temp paint to make it look like new. So parts cleaner it is for the exterior. Now what about thru the intercooler?

Don't bother with high temp stuff, it's not necessary. If anything use a light coat of flat paint. You may be able to find a place that can coat it with something similar to what the OEM puts on radiators and A/C condensers. I believe these allow better heat transfer than regular paint. But my flat black paint hasn't introduced any appreciable problems.

[Drift]

Don't bother with high temp stuff, it's not necessary. If anything use a light coat of flat paint. You may be able to find a place that can coat it with something similar to what the OEM puts on radiators and A/C condensers. I believe these allow better heat transfer than regular paint. But my flat black paint hasn't introduced any appreciable problems.

Cool, but I still need to know about cleaning the internals (where the air goes thru). The grime looks like it may have gotten up there.

[C-Kwik]

parts or brake cleaner.

[Def]

I wouldn't use brake cleaner, as that is so volatile that it will evaporate without really "getting the stuff out."

I'd use a non-volatile cleaner like Simple Green. Only dilute it very slightly(a small amount of water will help break up grease) and liberally wash out the internal passages in the IC. When you've got all the gunk out just wash it out with water REALLY good then let it dry on its side.

[C-Kwik]

Depends on how much you use. I emptied about 3 cans into mine. It does not evaporate as quickly if it is somewhat enclosed. And I find simple green is just not strong enough for me. At least not without introducing a scrub brush or really high pressure water.

[Def]

Well - I'll give you that. 3 cans of brake cleaner will take a while to evaporate. There's something to be said for over 60 fl oz. of volatile hydrocarbons being used as a cleaning solution. haha

The brute force method holds a special place in my heart as well being an engineer hopeful.

"When in doubt, build it stout..."

[WDRacing]

Simple green should never be used on metal of any kind...EVER. It brakes down the metal and weakens it, The USAF used to use it for aircraft washing, then they discovered that it broke down metal on a micro level. Simple Green is the devil...

Buy a gallon of alcohol from Ace and you'll be all set. It will evap shortly after and leave no residue.

WD

[xxtrizz]

Damn does this mean that I cant use simple green to clean my engine bay because it breaks down the metal? oops... im sorry to all my friends hahah

[240SicknessX]

Spray carb cleaner inside, slosh around for a couple minutes (dont be afraid to use a whole can per slosh). Repeat process until waste carb cleaner is clear. Run some water though the inside to rinse out any left over carb cleaner . Next get a shop vac and tape the hose to one end and tape a thin rag over the other end and run the shop vac for about an hour w\ the intercooler inverted, so that all excess moisture drains into shop vac side.

my two cents

[PhaneSoul]

smart idea

[Def]

Simple green should never be used on metal of any kind...EVER. It brakes down the metal and weakens it, The USAF used to use it for aircraft washing, then they discovered that it broke down metal on a micro level. Simple Green is the devil...

Buy a gallon of alcohol from Ace and you'll be all set. It will evap shortly after and leave no residue.

WD

Whoa! First I've heard of this... Any links?

I can't see how something that is organic with a neutral pH could really have that much affect on metal, but I could be wrong.