Cleaning the Intercooler from oil deposits/film without taking it apart

A_8

A_8

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Is there a good way to clean the air side of the Intercooler without taking it apart?

I am thinking one should be able to spray some solvent or diesel at the air inlet side while running the engine.

Anyone tried or have experience, ideas of solvents, any advice?
 
I reckon diesel bad idea as will leave a film just like the oils thats probably in there, but any solvent would do the job, BUT the pipe from intercooler must not be connected to inlet manifold otherwise you will have a runaway!
 
lynall said:
I reckon diesel bad idea as will leave a film just like the oils thats probably in there, but any solvent would do the job, BUT the pipe from intercooler must not be connected to inlet manifold otherwise you will have a runaway!
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I need the suction from the inlet to get the solvent through the intercooler and I am thinking I should be able to portion the solvent in smaller "puffs" to keep the engine from running out of control?
Regarding diesel as the solvent, would it not be much thinner film though so still a much improved cold transfer to the air, if not how about break cleaning fluid, it should be a good solvent but would it be safe for the engine?
 
I was thinking about this again earlier on and I reckon my advice above is bad, mainly due to potential for mess/disaster!
 
Why not just open the plastic top of the intercooler and see what the situation inside is or have you already done this?
 
scubaman said:
Why not just open the plastic top of the intercooler and see what the situation inside is or have you already done this?
Click to expand...

I already took them apart and cleaned the seawater side, noticed the oil film on the air-side but did not clean it out before putting it back together. Then I read somewhere that the oil-film degrades the effectiveness of the inter-cooler so now trying to find a quick fix without taking them apart again. Its not a big issue though just my ocd keeping everything in good shape.
 
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