I tried to clean the inside of my spare IC with Paint Thinner and the thinner was all black when it came out. The inside is pretty clean now but I'm having problem cleaning the outside fins. I tried to spray it with Engine Cleaner (Aluminum safe) and that didn't help. Any Ideas? I guess the best way is get a microscopic brush and brush every fin... lol I'm thinking of just getting a big bucket and just soak the entire IC but dont know what chemical/soap to use.

 

Not sure how safe that would be for a FMIC like the APS one that's powdercoated.

 

i didn't think the APS FMIC was powdercoated. Just thought it was a cast endcaps?

 

Take a closer look at yours.

 

have you tried a low-pressure pressure washer? I would think something like 1500 psi held at a safe distance would work well without bending the fins.

 

Soaking it in a big tub of something like simple green would probably work. That stuff is great on grease and grime but still gentle on finishes. Then rinse, and blow dry with compressed air.

 

Can I use the K&N Filter cleaner? Those things can really get dirt out but not sure if it is safe for aluminum..lol. I'll try carburetor cleaner and see if that help and if not then I'll soak it in my bath tub with some mild soap or something.

 

Home depot has some cleaner that is made for cleaning the cooling fins on home A/C compressors and interior coils.

 

I also think that soaking the entire thing in a mild cleaner is the best idea.

 

Or you could take it to an A/C/Radiator shop and they could clean and pressure test it for very minimal amount of money Intercoolers aren't anything that people don't understand, it's just a radiator for air.

 

As long as it's not aluminum since simple green eats up aluminum bad.

 

Simple Green is OK to use on bare aluminum. It's the water used to rinse that oxidizes the aluminum. After I rinse the Simple Green off I use Boshield to protect the aluminum. Boshield is manufactured by Boeing to protect aluminum.



Although SG does not have any MIL spec I use it on the plane all the time.

The question is.... just what is the OP trying to remove from the intercooler.

JET

 

How dirty can it be??? Figured a normal garden hose w/ nozzle and car wash soap, scrub, and rinse. lol That's all I did on my Evo's FMIC.

 

Ask r0mey!

 

Maybe a dumb question, but anyway to clean an I/C while it is still on the car?

 

If you google Simple green and aluminum, you will see how bad it is. US air force and US army has banned using simple green on their base. It has corroded and eaten up aluminum on tanks and planes. Mountain bike, motorcycle, airplane people have posted how bad it is as well. Just google it really quick.

I diluted some simple green (4:1) to clean one of my extra Z hood, and it messed it up bad. I called simple green and they told me that do not use on aluminum, especially bare aluminum. If i do choose to, make sure to dilute it 32:1 with water (which is barely anything) . Simple green sells a special formula that can be ordered through their website for aluminum purposes that is diluted through them.

but yes, you can use some type of sealer and make sure all of the simple green is off. This is why i don't recommend to soak an intercooler. You might not get every bit off.

 

I bought Gurgen's ARC FMIC that came from his PE TT kit. The IC is in great shape but he has been using it for a couple of years and the fins are a little dirty. It is really not bad but my STS FMIC is clean and still look the same the first time I got it. I want to make sure that my car don't end up looking like chit when I replace my FMIC with this. I like my car to always look clean I got this Zep Heavy-Duty Citrus Degrease and it is supposed to be safe on Aluminum.

 

Dave, Like I mentioned for my Evo I just washed it like any other part of the car. Car wash soap, soft cloth, and normal garden hose pressure.

 

I just used a car wash pressure hose yesterday and the car responded way better my FMIC must have have been full of ****..

 

+1, I'm in the Naval Aviation, and it's ban for use on our aircraft for years now. I seen before and after pics, and it was not pretty.