I'll be cleaning my intercooler this weekend. I've read a few threads concerning this but I haven't figured out the best solvent to use?

Some have said to use denatured alcohol, others have said to use the aerosol intake cleaner. I suspect that it doesn't really matter as long as you use a clean solvent and let it evaporate before reinstalling.

I'm leaning toward the alcohol since I can buy a gallon of it and have plenty available for use.

Anyone have any particularly good tips for an intercooler cleaning procedure?

 

I used gasoline, then mixed 2cycle oil with it so it wasn't wasted for the chain saw and weed eater.
Gas works great.

 

I use SuperClean( I cut it 2:1 for this) for the removal and then flush with brake fluid cleaner. I have on occasions just let a hose run water through it for a couple minutes instead of the brake cleaner.
Like you said, let it evaporate well. My leaf blower fits nicely
Never had any issues and I've done this maybe 7-8 times over the years. 2 different ICs.

 

Ok...Please tell me this is a typo....Brake Cleaner I can see...carb cleaner I can see...Brake Fluid???? -- Johan

 

I used........nothing.

Because, after 72,000 miles and virtually zero oil usage, mine was clean as a
whistle and dry as a bone.

 

probably gonna need to use more Superclean and maybe some brake cleaner after the...

 

This must be. Any residual brake fluid residue would do much more damage than any amount of oil. As mentioned, gasoline is as good a degreaser as you are likely to find, but BE CAREFUL.

 

D'oh!

Thanks. edited to make sense

 

See post # 8

 

Ok Ok.. geez leave out 1 little word

See post # 8

 

see what happens when you have a reputation Don't worry I knew what you meant -- Johan

Thanks for the spelling lesson on vacuum...I tried to txt it in my phone the yesterday and it wouldn't work...then I remember there's two "U"s...


Sorry to get back on topic I use the cheap on sale Carb cleaner or Brake cleaner until there's no more Oil left. Then I hit it with the air compressor to dry things off. Cheers -- Johan

 

I'm too lazy to look it up: any step-by-step on removing the IC for cleaning?

 

Oh geez.. I have a reputation

 

I have used Simple green followed by a generous water flush afterwards on other intercoolers. took out all sorts of gunk & grime.

gave ti pleanty of time to dry after cleaning.

-jac

 

I stuck a latex glove over one end with a rubber band holding it on... dumped some acetone in the other end... stuck another glove on it, and shook it back and forth a few times gently. Then I let it sit for a bit on its side with the acetone in it, dumped out the dirty crap, and repeated once more.

I let it dry for about 20-30 minutes before stickin it back on there.

 

Thanks everyone. Sounds like there are lots of ways to skin this cat, but it boils down to adding a decent solvent of my choice and swishing it around until it comes out clean.

Great tip for using the latex glove. I'll bring a few home from the lab.

 

That is exactly what I did! Kind of anyway........lol. I just used a piece of 6mil visqueen instead of the glove.

 

Great minds......

 

I also wanted to add that I will also be cleaning the outside of the intercooler with the foaming condenser coil cleaner used on home air conditioning units.

This was suggested my my local independent MINI mechanic.

 

Nice tip

 

How often is the intercooler supposed to be cleaned? Is it based on mileage or type of driving or what? Thanks.

 

I guess it depends on whether or not you have a catch can and what kind of driving you do. My experience has been that with my catch-can I don't have to clean the inside of my IC at all. I have had my OCC for over 2 years and have checked the IC 3 times since with no discernable oil build up at all. This is with a very nice mix of around town, spirited, and highway miles.