cleaning intercooler?

***Szumita*** · 06-02-2008, 05:54 AM

we installed my catch cans last week, and i was thinking i should clean my intercooler out, since there will be some oil in it. Might as well do it now since i will be getting minimal blowby with the catch cans.

if i take the intercooler out, what should i use to get all the oil out?

i searched, and found to use simple green to CLEAN the top, but will that flush the oil out?

blindfold · 06-02-2008, 06:39 AM

cleaning the top will not get rid of the oil

you can try mix some warm water and simple green, then run it pour it through the intercooler. Try to shake the intercooelr a bit, rinse thorougly and let it dry completely before you put it back on. Maybe running some compressred air through it will help it dry.

spartan_msu · 06-02-2008, 08:57 AM

Gasoline works great. Just make sure that you give it plenty of time to dry before you put it back on.

07 Flt4bxr · 06-02-2008, 10:43 AM

wd40 would work as well too

***Szumita*** · 06-02-2008, 10:43 AM

cool, thanks for the responses guys.

**WESTI** · 06-02-2008, 04:00 PM

So does anyone have the link to how to clean the top of the intercooler? I looked briefly and didnt find it. Thanks!

07 Flt4bxr · 06-02-2008, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WESTI

So does anyone have the link to how to clean the top of the intercooler? I looked briefly and didnt find it. Thanks!

not STi but maybe usefull

Intercooler Cleaning

importfanatic17 · 06-02-2008, 04:17 PM

What is parrafin? A type of fuel?

**WESTI** · 06-02-2008, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 07 Flt4bxr

not STi but maybe usefull

Intercooler Cleaning

I meant the outside of the intercooler, not the inside...... and i dont even know what kind of chemical that is

importfanatic17 · 06-02-2008, 04:22 PM

Cleaning out the inside sounds like it could be a good idea. Aside from oil, there is probably a bunch of crap that got through the fins in there...

***Dorkborg*** · 06-02-2008, 04:27 PM

I am about to clean my IC out and was told to use mineral spirits and rinse several times with that

importfanatic17 · 06-02-2008, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dorkborg

I am about to clean my IC out and was told to use mineral spirits and rinse several times with that

I know that Simple Green is harsh but what about sloshing some of that through with some water?

1loudsti · 06-02-2008, 04:52 PM

i used brake cleaner....it worked really good...just make sure you let it air out

importfanatic17 · 06-02-2008, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1loudsti

i used brake cleaner....it worked really good...just make sure you let it air out

Did you get a bunch of crud out?

**WESTI** · 06-02-2008, 05:10 PM

i found this: How can i clean my air intercooler out and what do i use to do it with?my car is a golf tdi130pd 52 plate.? - Yahoo! Answers

I guess i'll use simple green for the top, and caraburetor cleaner and "gunk" for the insides......... and finish it off with one of those dust off cans

Does anyone know if this: Amazon.com: GP General Purpose Degreaser 30 oz: Automotive

is the right stuff?

and this: Amazon.com: Berryman B12 Chemtool Carburetor Cleaner 20 oz aerosol: Automotive

?

06-02-2008, 05:54 AM	#1
*Szumita* i eat cones Car: 08.5 GTI MKv Fav Mod: 18x8 Location: ma & ri Posts: 6,472 Join Date: Oct 2006 Trader Rating: (16)	cleaning intercooler? we installed my catch cans last week, and i was thinking i should clean my intercooler out, since there will be some oil in it. Might as well do it now since i will be getting minimal blowby with the catch cans. if i take the intercooler out, what should i use to get all the oil out? i searched, and found to use simple green to CLEAN the top, but will that flush the oil out? This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad.

06-02-2008, 06:39 AM	#2
blindfold Silver Member Car: 2004 WRB STi Location: Atlanta,GA Posts: 1,884 Join Date: Aug 2006 Trader Rating: (14)	Re: cleaning intercooler? cleaning the top will not get rid of the oil you can try mix some warm water and simple green, then run it pour it through the intercooler. Try to shake the intercooelr a bit, rinse thorougly and let it dry completely before you put it back on. Maybe running some compressred air through it will help it dry.

06-02-2008, 08:57 AM	#3
spartan_msu Lurker Car: Silver, 06 WRX Fav Mod: Coming Soon Posts: 2 Join Date: May 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: cleaning intercooler? Gasoline works great. Just make sure that you give it plenty of time to dry before you put it back on.

06-02-2008, 10:43 AM	#4
07 Flt4bxr Professional STI Racer Car: 07 STi UGM Fav Mod: Crawford Location: sanbernardino, CA Posts: 793 Join Date: Sep 2007 Trader Rating: (4)	Re: cleaning intercooler? wd40 would work as well too

06-02-2008, 10:43 AM	#5
*Szumita* i eat cones Car: 08.5 GTI MKv Fav Mod: 18x8 Location: ma & ri Posts: 6,472 Join Date: Oct 2006 Trader Rating: (16)	Re: cleaning intercooler? cool, thanks for the responses guys.

06-02-2008, 04:00 PM	#6
WESTI Mod Pro Tempore for Premium Members Car: 06 WRB STI Fav Mod: HKS CARBON TI Location: Irvine, Ca Posts: 5,607 Join Date: Apr 2006 Trader Rating: (9)	Re: cleaning intercooler? So does anyone have the link to how to clean the top of the intercooler? I looked briefly and didnt find it. Thanks!

06-02-2008, 04:17 PM	#8
importfanatic17 Spec C Club Car: '05 Aspen White STi Fav Mod: EQ Tuning tune Location: Sacramento, Ca Posts: 1,742 Join Date: Apr 2007 Trader Rating: (5)	Re: cleaning intercooler? What is parrafin? A type of fuel?

06-02-2008, 04:22 PM	#10
importfanatic17 Spec C Club Car: '05 Aspen White STi Fav Mod: EQ Tuning tune Location: Sacramento, Ca Posts: 1,742 Join Date: Apr 2007 Trader Rating: (5)	Re: cleaning intercooler? Cleaning out the inside sounds like it could be a good idea. Aside from oil, there is probably a bunch of crap that got through the fins in there...

06-02-2008, 04:27 PM	#11
*Dorkborg* Evo Pls Car: '06 WRB STi Fav Mod: SZ49 Location: Lufkin, TX Posts: 252 Join Date: Mar 2008 Trader Rating: (0)	Re: cleaning intercooler? I am about to clean my IC out and was told to use mineral spirits and rinse several times with that

06-02-2008, 04:52 PM	#13
1loudsti Silver Member Car: CGM 05 Fav Mod: stock BPV ;) happy gabe? Location: racine,wi Posts: 767 Join Date: Mar 2008 Trader Rating: (1)	Re: cleaning intercooler? i used brake cleaner....it worked really good...just make sure you let it air out

06-02-2008, 05:10 PM	#15
WESTI Mod Pro Tempore for Premium Members Car: 06 WRB STI Fav Mod: HKS CARBON TI Location: Irvine, Ca Posts: 5,607 Join Date: Apr 2006 Trader Rating: (9)	Re: cleaning intercooler? i found this: How can i clean my air intercooler out and what do i use to do it with?my car is a golf tdi130pd 52 plate.? - Yahoo! Answers I guess i'll use simple green for the top, and caraburetor cleaner and "gunk" for the insides......... and finish it off with one of those dust off cans Does anyone know if this: Amazon.com: GP General Purpose Degreaser 30 oz: Automotive is the right stuff? and this: Amazon.com: Berryman B12 Chemtool Carburetor Cleaner 20 oz aerosol: Automotive ? This ad is not endorsed by this member. Please register or login to hide this ad. Last edited by WESTI : 06-02-2008 at 05:16 PM.