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How to clean out inter cooler?

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Old Jul 19, 2012, 02:03 PM
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How to clean out inter cooler?

Hey I took off my inter cooler today to replace AC dryer and noticed my inter cooler has a coat of oil in it. Has anybody ever washed out there inter cooler before? I know I need a catch can but just haven't got around to buying one. Before I take it off again anybody ever cleaned one out and what did you use to clean it? Thanks David.
Old Jul 19, 2012, 02:10 PM
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You can get away with just about any solvent that likes to evaporate. I used gasoline to clean mine out, then flushed it real good and let it dry overnight before putting it back on.
Old Jul 19, 2012, 02:16 PM
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Acetone fill it will two cans worth. Shake alot and pour it out. Its very flamable and eats through rubber gloves. It is a great solvent.
Old Jul 19, 2012, 03:44 PM
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Use gasoline and swish it around in there, then dump it.
Old Jul 19, 2012, 05:08 PM
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Cool figured real easy just wanted to see what other people have done and used. Thanks for info much appreciated:-). Dave
Old Jul 19, 2012, 05:42 PM
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I dont know about using gas. after it evaporates it leaves a residue. Acetone is used on everything from electronics to cleaning gas tanks. Acetone leaves no residue after it evaporates.
Old Jul 19, 2012, 05:47 PM
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I had an issue with my IC when the car was new, under boost the PVC going back into the intake was pouring oil into the intercooler , I could have poured out half cup.
I used grease lightning degreaser and it was the best thing I did.
Old Jul 19, 2012, 07:35 PM
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is cleaning it with gasoline a good idea? what if it damages the intercooler?
Old Jul 19, 2012, 08:29 PM
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Very few things work better than brake or throttle body cleaner,since they are designed to remove carbon deposits while evaporating quick and leaving no residue,get a couple of spray cans and dump them in,cover both ends and shake plenty then dump and let it air dry,should be squeaky clean after that.
Old Jul 19, 2012, 08:41 PM
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Originally Posted by VIIIdriver
Very few things work better than brake or throttle body cleaner,since they are designed to remove carbon deposits while evaporating quick and leaving no residue,get a couple of spray cans and dump them in,cover both ends and shake plenty then dump and let it air dry,should be squeaky clean after that.
+1 on the carb cleaner, I use it on everything with carbon build up. And its cheap too
Old Jul 19, 2012, 08:52 PM
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Yea we use aceton at work so that stuff evaporates totally with no residue and of course brake clean an carb cleaner is like that. The gas is kinda bad and it does have trace amounts of water and would leave residue. Thanks for ideas.
Old Jul 19, 2012, 10:04 PM
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Originally Posted by Dirty Dave
Yea we use aceton at work so that stuff evaporates totally with no residue and of course brake clean an carb cleaner is like that. The gas is kinda bad and it does have trace amounts of water and would leave residue. Thanks for ideas.

Old Jul 19, 2012, 10:25 PM
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I just use a gallon of E85 on mine. More or less what ever I have laying around .

Catch Can FTW.
Old Jul 19, 2012, 10:50 PM
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Go to a car wash and pour some simple green and use the pressure washer, or just use the washer. I did this on my SMIC a couple of times and it comes out clean!

N
Old Jul 20, 2012, 12:04 PM
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I've used gasoline in my previous cars.


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