With all the talk of oil catch cans and dirty intercoolers I wanted to get a first hand experience as to just how much oil gets collected inside of an IC with no catch can.

Since I'm a "spirited" driver I figured I'd have some dirtiness on the inside but found it was a little more then I expected.

I cleaned out the IC just before heading down the Dragon and took a bunch of pictures. As with all things I do to Claire, I took the pictures and did a little write up.

How to Clean the Inside of the Intercooler


I also was a little unsure on just how the heck oil got into the IC in the first place so I did a little research and wrote up and overview. I figure information is only good if people share it.

Overview of Intercoolers and Oil in them

Let me know what you think... or questions... or comments. I dig them all.

 

This is very helpful. I was reading a thread on WMS which discussed how to insulate the stock IC with silcone foam and reflective aluminum to increase the TE. (If anyone wants that link, let me know). I am planning on doing that and I wanted to clean the IC at the same time...now I know how to do it properly! Thanks.

 

shankrabbit
Thanks!!!!
Very informative.

 

Addendum to step 6: Before tightening IC boot bolts, make sure the 4 IC diverter bolts line up properly.
Repeat: make SURE the 4 diverter bolts line up!!!!!

 

How did you get the rubber boots to sit right if the diverter bolts didn't line up?

I'm have a feeling you have personal experience with this? Do tell!

 

Personal experience? Ummm, yeah. Just installed the Alta silicone boots last night. The IC can sit any number of places whilst in the boots. There is approx 1 inch of free space between the IC ends and the horns; elsewise, you'd never get it in place. There will be some left/right adjustability once both ends are socketed in the boots. Easy enough to line up: just drop the longer upper bolts in place before tightening the boot clamps and pry left/right until you can get the threads started. Then tighten the boot clamps.
HTH

 

Ahhh... the Alta boots... that would explain it.

With the "accordian" style OEM boots, lining up the IC happens pretty easily from my experience.

Thanks for the heads up though. I'll add a little note to the write up.

 

The torque on the intercooler bolts and diverter bolts is 7 ft/lbs. Tighter is not always better!
Steve

 

I read somewhere that the Alta boots are not of very good quality... Is there really a big difference between the OEM, Alta, and other aftermarket boots?

 

I'd like to know where to find it-PB

 

Eeep!

Thanks for that heads up!

I'll make the change.