Primordial Posted September 23, 2006 Share Posted September 23, 2006 My intercooler has developed an unhealthy brown colour after dealing with years of exhaust smoke and crap like this. I wanted to clean it, but the fins are quite brittle so i cant really use any contact on it. I was thinking of using alloy wheel cleaner on it. Can anyone think of any reason why I shouldnt do this? eg. damaging the intercooler or something? Has anyone tried it before? Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/135634-cleaning-intercoolers/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
evil_weevil Posted September 23, 2006 Share Posted September 23, 2006 Hi Jon! Might sound silly but what about degreaser? A small mixture so its not as strong? Ive never cleaned mine either - but then again its kinda newish! Would be interesting to find out what others do Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/135634-cleaning-intercoolers/#findComment-2522009 Share on other sites More sharing options...
R33S2 Posted September 23, 2006 Share Posted September 23, 2006 Aluminium sucks for this reason, it tarnishes easily and you have to take a fine layer of actual metal off to get that clean look again, there are products that we use to clean up ali after welding it, it evil stuff though as it can cause bone cancer. Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/135634-cleaning-intercoolers/#findComment-2522262 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mad082 Posted September 23, 2006 Share Posted September 23, 2006 just hit it with degrease and a soft-ish bristled brush, like a broom head. Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/135634-cleaning-intercoolers/#findComment-2522724 Share on other sites More sharing options...
$weetDreamZ Posted September 23, 2006 Share Posted September 23, 2006 Primordial, I haven't tried cleaning my intercooler yet, but using alloy wheel cleaner sounds as though it shouldn't cause any harm. When it comes time I think it'll either be using alloy wheel cleaner or degreaser and make sure it's rinsed off well. Just have to be really careful with the fins, just like the radiator core. The only downside I can see with the liquid/spray cleaners is how to get any solids, such as bugs and dirt, out without damaging the core? What about the inside of the intercooler? Are you going to clean the inside as well? What are others opinions/advice on doing this? Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/135634-cleaning-intercoolers/#findComment-2522760 Share on other sites More sharing options...
mad082 Posted September 23, 2006 Share Posted September 23, 2006 you can hit them with a high pressure cleaner. provided you keep atleast 6 inches away it shouldn't do any harm. i wash mine with it all the time and the fins are still prefect. Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/135634-cleaning-intercoolers/#findComment-2522771 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Primordial Posted September 23, 2006 Author Share Posted September 23, 2006 Thanks for some great ideas guys! Tomorrow i'm gonna pull the core off and give it a clean. I'm going to start with alloy wheel cleaner, and if that doesnt work, i'll try degreaser. I'm going to use a high pressure hose to blast the residue off (from a distance obviously!). For the inside, I've heard that a 50/50 mix of metho and turps is the go! Ill give it a go and let you know! Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/135634-cleaning-intercoolers/#findComment-2522989 Share on other sites More sharing options...
dangaz Posted September 23, 2006 Share Posted September 23, 2006 I read a tech tip from hot 4's and gave it a go ....don't know issue number something like this I removed the core taped a plastic bag to one end of the end tank then emptied 3 cans of degreaser into the core.... then taped another plastic bag over the other end tank..... invert back forth then empty....repeat if real dirty then wash out with water..... i used tap water but i imagine de min wouldn't harm........ stand so excess water can drain out .... (leave in the sun)....hope this helps..... whilst the cores off use tweezers to straighten fins.....and remove insects....I noticed a dif when I did this as the core had been on the car since I bought it....very dirty hope this helps. Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/135634-cleaning-intercoolers/#findComment-2523186 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Primordial Posted September 23, 2006 Author Share Posted September 23, 2006 Hot4's had a helpful tech tip!? What the? lol sounds good, i might give this a go! Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/135634-cleaning-intercoolers/#findComment-2523496 Share on other sites More sharing options...
alieas_neo Posted January 12, 2008 Share Posted January 12, 2008 Hot4's had a helpful tech tip!? What the? lol sounds good, i might give this a go! The soarer forums recommdended doing two treatments, first with just kerosene as this will disolve alot of the oil, but as well all know kero leaves a film of crap, then flood it again with metho which removes the layer, a 50/50 mix may leave some residue. Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/135634-cleaning-intercoolers/#findComment-3577578 Share on other sites More sharing options...
noisia Posted January 13, 2008 Share Posted January 13, 2008 use this stuff called "cobra". its coil cleaner used in the aircon/refrigeration industry to clean coils. very good stuff, but is corrosive if not washed down thoroughly after, so after applying, give her a good rinse down Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/135634-cleaning-intercoolers/#findComment-3578718 Share on other sites More sharing options...
black33gtst Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 (edited) just a tip for you all i use a product called Shellite (also known as lighter fluid in some brands). Shellite is a product called x55 from shell and is also used as automatic transmission cleaner as it is the fastest drying solvent, it is also the carrier used in tyre shine it drys off and leaves the silicone to coat the tyres. Shellite (x55) is also brake cleaner i have displayed this to several mechanics who were paying up to $100 for a 20 litre drum of brake cleaner and i gave them 1 litre of shellite (x55) and they said that hey thats the same, i know it is because i used to pour shellite (x55) into 20 litre drums and place brake clean stickers on them and freight them to victoria. a 50/50 mix of shellite and mineral turps is used as wax and grease remover. to clean out my intercooler i pour 2 litres of shellite (x55) into it place my hands over the in/ outlet and shake it up and down then pour the now very black shellite out and let it dry (drys quickly as i said it is the fastest drying solvent. Edited January 15, 2008 by black33gtst Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/135634-cleaning-intercoolers/#findComment-3582615 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craved Posted January 15, 2008 Share Posted January 15, 2008 My intercooler has developed an unhealthy brown colour after dealing with years of exhaust smoke and crap like this. I wanted to clean it, but the fins are quite brittle so i cant really use any contact on it. I was thinking of using alloy wheel cleaner on it. Can anyone think of any reason why I shouldnt do this? eg. damaging the intercooler or something? Has anyone tried it before? best thing i have seen is high concentrate truck wash as used on everyones dirt bike i know - spray on with high concentrated water/wash mix .. let it sit, then hose off. alot of other suggestions have been for cleaning the inside of the cooler- but if you aint already taking the cooler out, try some C16 truckwash first. Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/135634-cleaning-intercoolers/#findComment-3583775 Share on other sites More sharing options...
tanweer Posted January 30, 2008 Share Posted January 30, 2008 for the outside try spray degreaser and brush with a soft dust pan brush and hose off...works for me... Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/135634-cleaning-intercoolers/#findComment-3613814 Share on other sites More sharing options...
POLICE Posted January 31, 2008 Share Posted January 31, 2008 easy off bam, BAM and the dirt is gone Link to comment https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/135634-cleaning-intercoolers/#findComment-3613888 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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