How do you guys clean your stock intercooler?

SubieGsR · 01-23-2007, 02:48 PM

Just wondering what i should use to clean it? and How should i clean it? I was thinking about getting a damp terry towel and spraying some simple green on it? help!

twigg107 · 01-23-2007, 02:59 PM

you could do that, just dont scrub to hard on the core so you dont bend the fins. Iam lazy and just pick the large stuff out.

rv7 · 01-23-2007, 03:40 PM

You can spray Simple Green (a.k.a. God's gift to motocross) directly on the intercooler, just make sure the engine is cold and rinse it really well. To restore that new look, some have removed theirs and had it dipped in a mild acid solution. Many truck stops have this service available, but be careful as it may remove your STi paint.

SubieGsR · 01-23-2007, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rv7

You can spray Simple Green (a.k.a. God's gift to motocross) directly on the intercooler, just make sure the engine is cold and rinse it really well. To restore that new look, some have removed theirs and had it dipped in a mild acid solution. Many truck stops have this service available, but be careful as it may remove your STi paint.

Is that safe for the intercooler?? Now when you say rinse it off, is it okay to spray a water hose directly at it (covering the electrical stuff in the engine bay)?

SubieGsR · 01-25-2007, 10:48 PM

C.J. · 01-26-2007, 12:04 AM

kind of wondering the same thing

prerunrigg · 01-26-2007, 01:36 AM

simple green works wonders on the intercooler.. i use a piece of scotch-brite pad on the flat surfaces and a light brush on the fins very gingerly. works great. ive washed the intercooler a couple times just dont use an excessive amount of water and you should be fine

Tank · 01-26-2007, 06:04 AM

Why do you need to clean the intercooler? Every once in a while I'll get a leaf or something in there and I just pick it off. Is there enough subvisual grime on the fins to decrease performance?

jep · 01-26-2007, 06:28 AM

You need to wash the intercooler, AND the entire engine especially when you drive where theres snow. Its actually all good in the snow. But the next day, once they added calcium and sand, its pretty nasty. I think I'll take a pic of my engine bay just to show you guys. Its sad!!

V8Huntr · 01-26-2007, 06:36 AM

You shouldn't have a problem spraying the engine bay with water. The car has a huge hole in the hood anyway, so when you drive around in the rain the engine bay gets wet anyway. When you clean your motor make sure to NEVER USE HIGH PRESSURE!!! Power washing a motor is probably the worst way to clean your motor. Water makes its way into whatever it possibly can, when you add pressure to that it just increases the risk of getting water into somewhere its not supposed to be.

When you clean your motor, warm the engine up a little, but not up to full operating temp. Spray on whatever cleaner you may be using (Engine Brite, Simple Green, etc.) and let it sit for a minute. Scrub any heavy dirt deposits on the motor with the proper cleaning tool. To rinse the motor just use a LOW PRESSURE spray (garden hose) and remove all of the cleaner and residue.

I know I'm about to kind of contradict myself here, but to clean your intercooler you need to use a bit of high pressure. To clean it just spray cleaner onto the intercooler and let it soak into the space between the fins. To remove the cleaner you do need to use moderate to high pressure to remove all of the cleaner from between the fins. If you use high pressure make sure you don't hit anything besides the intercooler!

This is just the way I do it, I know there are a lot of other ways so you can do whatever you think is right

doublejz · 01-26-2007, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by V8Huntr

When you clean your motor make sure to NEVER USE HIGH PRESSURE!!! Power washing a motor is probably the worst way to clean your motor. Water makes its way into whatever it possibly can, when you add pressure to that it just increases the risk of getting water into somewhere its not supposed to be.

not 100% true, just gotta be smart about it. I simple green my hole engine and pressure wash it. you just dont want to put the nozzle up against... lets say the starter, intake, rad. its fine to blast the block and tranny and bay.

never blast the intercooloer with high pressure or you'll watch the fins bend over infront of you... if you attempt this keep a distance between the nozzle and IC.. like a couple feet.

STi Mark · 01-26-2007, 07:34 AM

I've cleaned several motors in my day.

This is what you have to do.

Start your motor and run for a minute or two. You want it a little warm, but not hot.

Next cover up your filter element and your battery...you don't want these items getting wet (for obvious reasons).

Then just put a light coat of water on it, spray some simple green and let it sit for a couple of minutes. While it is sitting, you break out a few rags and start wiping down all you can...anything that is covered in grime.

When you are done, spray down the car. If using high pressure water, make sure to keep your distance.

It takes a few tries before you actually get the hang of it...but it is worth it.

Then some people spray amorall or something like that to get it shiny. Only problem...attracts dirt. I wasn't a fan of using stuff like that.

I've been debating on using that Eagle 1 Wax as you dry to help get that water off and put a little residual wax on the motor, but I haven't had the chance yet. You all should see my mustang's motor, it is horrible. I really need to clean it.

pt518sti · 01-26-2007, 07:38 AM

I used to use a combination of tweezers, a little brush, and that dust-off air spray stuff.

STI-51 · 01-26-2007, 12:54 PM

I pick off the bird and remaining feathers and I'm good to go. This is no joke btw, the vortex created around my hood scoop has sucked up a bird flying by!

timSTi · 01-27-2007, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STI-51

I pick off the bird and remaining feathers and I'm good to go. This is no joke btw, the vortex created around my hood scoop has sucked up a bird flying by!

LOL that almost happened to me last week.. the bird swooped down in front of my car and bounced off teh top of my scoop.. i was nervous he was going to get sucked in.. any damage to your IC?

01-23-2007, 02:48 PM	#1
SubieGsR Junior STI Driver Car: '07 Sti Limited Fav Mod: oem short shifter Location: Bellevue, WA Posts: 171 Join Date: Dec 2006 Trader Rating: (1)	How do you guys clean your stock intercooler? Just wondering what i should use to clean it? and How should i clean it? I was thinking about getting a damp terry towel and spraying some simple green on it? help! This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

01-26-2007, 07:34 AM	#12
STi Mark Junior STI Driver Car: 03 Ford Mustang GT Fav Mod: Selling the GT for an SWP '07 STi Location: S/E Texas Posts: 70 Join Date: Jan 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	I've cleaned several motors in my day. This is what you have to do. Start your motor and run for a minute or two. You want it a little warm, but not hot. Next cover up your filter element and your battery...you don't want these items getting wet (for obvious reasons). Then just put a light coat of water on it, spray some simple green and let it sit for a couple of minutes. While it is sitting, you break out a few rags and start wiping down all you can...anything that is covered in grime. When you are done, spray down the car. If using high pressure water, make sure to keep your distance. It takes a few tries before you actually get the hang of it...but it is worth it. Then some people spray amorall or something like that to get it shiny. Only problem...attracts dirt. I wasn't a fan of using stuff like that. I've been debating on using that Eagle 1 Wax as you dry to help get that water off and put a little residual wax on the motor, but I haven't had the chance yet. You all should see my mustang's motor, it is horrible. I really need to clean it. Last edited by STi Mark : 01-26-2007 at 07:38 AM.

01-23-2007, 02:59 PM	#2
twigg107 Spec C Club Car: 08 DGM STI Fav Mod: Me..... Location: Vancouver, Wa Posts: 1,522 Join Date: Jun 2006 Trader Rating: (1)	you could do that, just dont scrub to hard on the core so you dont bend the fins. Iam lazy and just pick the large stuff out.

01-23-2007, 03:40 PM	#3
rv7 Professional STI Racer Posts: 637 Join Date: Sep 2004 Trader Rating: (7)	You can spray Simple Green (a.k.a. God's gift to motocross) directly on the intercooler, just make sure the engine is cold and rinse it really well. To restore that new look, some have removed theirs and had it dipped in a mild acid solution. Many truck stops have this service available, but be careful as it may remove your STi paint.

01-25-2007, 10:48 PM	#5
SubieGsR Junior STI Driver Car: '07 Sti Limited Fav Mod: oem short shifter Location: Bellevue, WA Posts: 171 Join Date: Dec 2006 Trader Rating: (1)	^

01-26-2007, 12:04 AM	#6
C.J. Professional STI Driver Car: 06 Aspen/gold STi Fav Mod: Whatever I buy next Location: Lincoln, Ne/Bellingham, W Posts: 403 Join Date: Jan 2007 Trader Rating: (0)	kind of wondering the same thing

01-26-2007, 01:36 AM	#7
prerunrigg Senior STI Driver Car: 04 subaru WRX STi Fav Mod: KEY!S steering wheel Location: so cal Posts: 379 Join Date: Dec 2005 Trader Rating: (8)	simple green works wonders on the intercooler.. i use a piece of scotch-brite pad on the flat surfaces and a light brush on the fins very gingerly. works great. ive washed the intercooler a couple times just dont use an excessive amount of water and you should be fine

01-26-2007, 06:04 AM	#8
Tank Senior STI Driver Car: 05 Subaru WRX STi OB Fav Mod: NY Rangers license plate frame Location: Middlesex County, NJ Posts: 382 Join Date: Aug 2005 Trader Rating: (0)	Why do you need to clean the intercooler? Every once in a while I'll get a leaf or something in there and I just pick it off. Is there enough subvisual grime on the fins to decrease performance?

01-26-2007, 06:28 AM	#9
jep STI Driver Car: 05 sti Fav Mod: 23'' chrome spinnaaazz Location: Montreal Posts: 263 Join Date: Sep 2006 Trader Rating: (0)	You need to wash the intercooler, AND the entire engine especially when you drive where theres snow. Its actually all good in the snow. But the next day, once they added calcium and sand, its pretty nasty. I think I'll take a pic of my engine bay just to show you guys. Its sad!!

01-26-2007, 06:36 AM	#10
V8Huntr Spec C Club Car: 04' WRB STi Fav Mod: TBE Location: Allentown, PA Posts: 1,643 Join Date: Sep 2006 Trader Rating: (0)	You shouldn't have a problem spraying the engine bay with water. The car has a huge hole in the hood anyway, so when you drive around in the rain the engine bay gets wet anyway. When you clean your motor make sure to NEVER USE HIGH PRESSURE!!! Power washing a motor is probably the worst way to clean your motor. Water makes its way into whatever it possibly can, when you add pressure to that it just increases the risk of getting water into somewhere its not supposed to be. When you clean your motor, warm the engine up a little, but not up to full operating temp. Spray on whatever cleaner you may be using (Engine Brite, Simple Green, etc.) and let it sit for a minute. Scrub any heavy dirt deposits on the motor with the proper cleaning tool. To rinse the motor just use a LOW PRESSURE spray (garden hose) and remove all of the cleaner and residue. I know I'm about to kind of contradict myself here, but to clean your intercooler you need to use a bit of high pressure. To clean it just spray cleaner onto the intercooler and let it soak into the space between the fins. To remove the cleaner you do need to use moderate to high pressure to remove all of the cleaner from between the fins. If you use high pressure make sure you don't hit anything besides the intercooler! This is just the way I do it, I know there are a lot of other ways so you can do whatever you think is right

01-26-2007, 07:38 AM	#13
pt518sti S204 Racer Car: 2005 White/Gold STi Fav Mod: TD06-20G/Tein Flex coilovers Location: New York Posts: 2,909 Join Date: May 2005 Trader Rating: (8)	I used to use a combination of tweezers, a little brush, and that dust-off air spray stuff.

01-26-2007, 12:54 PM	#14
STI-51 Amateur STI Driver Car: WRB 2005 STi Posts: 19 Join Date: Nov 2006 Trader Rating: (0)	I pick off the bird and remaining feathers and I'm good to go. This is no joke btw, the vortex created around my hood scoop has sucked up a bird flying by!