I have read posts about the oil catch can. My question is, could'nt you just periodicly clean the intercooler? This is my first jump into the super charged world..... so please forgive my ignorance.....

 

Yep. However, it's more fun to watch very small amounts of oil accumulate.
6^)

Search for the thread $16 catch can. Mine has only caught about 15 drops of oil in 1000 miles, on a 10K mile S, but that's 15 drops less in the IC...

 

Good. I was hoping that would be it. Only reason I say that is because I kinda need to wait for the warm eather for this mod...... Thanks!

 

It is a good idea to clean the intercooler occasionally whether you're running a catch can or not.

Get a gallon of denatured alcohol at the hardware store, pour some in and shake it up, then pour it out. Repeat until the alcohol comes out clean. (2 or 3 times is usually enough.

I installed a boost gauge for a buddy with a modded MCS and we cleaned his that way.

Rawhyde

 

Sorry but pour it into what and clean? I would like to clean it but I have no idea what to clean...

 

it gets covered with a film of oil.... But there's a downside as well. IF it's kept clean by an OCC, then it's always clean. But if you clean it every now and then, then the average value of the inner cleanliness is less than clean.

Gee, I don't think I could have made a more conveluted sentance if I'd tried!

Matt

 

It's probably an even better idea to remove the IC and clean the bug parts off the external surfaces - they are more likely to affect cooling than a light oil film on the inside.

Simple Green does a good job. To keep bugs out in the future, put a piece of window screen over the IC under the diverter. This idea courtesy of MSFITOY...

 

yeah if you're getting tons of oil in a catch can you got alot of blowby. The amount of oil shouldn't be at a lvl where it necessiates a catch can. But for those who like the insides of their motors spotless, it's worth it

and he's talking about cleaning the inside ebmcs. Just pop off the IC and clean! To remove the IC, unscrew a few bolts here, few bolts there, and bam you're done! lol

 

For a effective cleaning process, the best way to clean the cooler internally and externally is to (1) removed the complete cooler and apply high pressure hot water spray or (2) soak in solution for cleaning of coolers. Upon completion rinse with water.

 

Don't get too crazy with the water pressure - those little fins are fragile, and you Don't want to mash them out of shape...

 

Could be a good excuse to buy a bigger IC

 

Did this tonight on a friends MCS while doing several other maint. bits, removed wiped down both ends, and let sit on one side for 3 hours wpie off any that showed up and slipped it back on. It had to come off anyway so figued why not get that oil out! Removing it is actually what has made me consider a catch can.

 

I think the BIG word of caution is make sure you don't leave any non oil liquid in the IC, that oil comes from the engine, and the last thing you want is water having a chance to work its way in there, I know the chance is probably small but it is still there, just something to think about.

 

Another suggestion is to soak in chemicals for cooler for an hour, removed and rinsed with fresh water. Upon completion use low pressure compress air to blow dry or air dry

 

We cleaned an intercooler this weekend that had 80,000 miles on it. Oil just poured out of it as we used intake cleaner to clean it out. The guys says it made a huge difference. He autocrosses so I'm sure it will help to keep cooler between runs. Like mentioned earlier. Make sure it is dry inside before putting it back on the motor.

 

Does anyone have any recommendations as to how often this should be done under normal, but occasionally spirited driving? Perhaps every 10,000 miles? Thanks!

 

It seems like, every day, maintenance for my car becomes more complex...

I had no idea this needed to be done -- thanks!

 

Ones with teflon liners never need it, but the teflon can be deformed. Another way to do it is to keep some spares, and not do anything, and just swap the one that starts clunking!

Matt

oops, wrong thread!

For the IC, it depends on your car. I get more blow by than Tony, so mine cruds up faster. When you're working on your car and have the IC off, just take a look, or sit it on end and see if you get a puddle!

IF yes, clean!

Matt

 

Isn't there water in the air that enters the combustion chamber? I often see water exiting exhaust pipes, and steel ones rust, so there must be water somewhere in the system. So why the "last thing" warning about a little water in the clean IC?
cheers,