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How to clean a FMIC?

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Old 07-01-03, 01:36 PM
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How to clean a FMIC?

I did a search for this but didn't really find any other posts or info on how people do this. I have been driving the FD mad miles (trying to break in a new motor) and noticed today my FMIC has bugs/bees/butterflies galore all over it and in the fins. How are people cleaning them out and keeping them clean when doing any highway driving? Toothbrush? Any type of cleaning fluid work best? Thanks
Old 07-01-03, 01:47 PM
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hmmm pressure washer works best Im not really sure what would work good to get rid of that stuff.... You just have to be very careful. As you probally already know the fins bend pretty easily.
Old 07-01-03, 02:12 PM
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So it's safe to take a garden hose a spray it down with a little bit of force?
Old 07-01-03, 02:18 PM
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soap and water......

but a garden hose with a mister attachment and soapy water should work...
Old 07-01-03, 03:04 PM
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i used a steam cleaner i had and some engine cleaner. to clean the inside of the IC you cap one side off and pour gas in shake it around then empty out and you repeat till gas comes out clean. then you let the IC sit for 1 or 2 hours to dry it out
Old 07-01-03, 03:12 PM
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you don't break in a motor in the highway....highway miles are not going to do anything for a breakin period
Old 07-01-03, 03:15 PM
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Remove the intercooler, spray it with a hose. Use something small like a nail file to pull the bugs and other **** out. Bend the fins lightly back into place. It's tedious and time consuming but I haven't found a better method.
Old 07-01-03, 03:16 PM
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wax

i use a wax spray to get all the bugs off my car so i assume it would get all the bugs off metal too
Old 07-01-03, 03:19 PM
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Originally posted by rybrx7
wax

i use a wax spray to get all the bugs off my car so i assume it would get all the bugs off metal too
you put wax on your FMIC???
Old 07-01-03, 03:35 PM
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eastwoodco.com sells a radiator fin repair tool

you could use that
Old 07-01-03, 03:38 PM
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Originally posted by 93BlackFD
you don't break in a motor in the highway....highway miles are not going to do anything for a breakin period
They are not all highway miles. Just travelling alot from hamlet to hamlet doing server work About 60% highway miles I would say.

My fins really aren't bent so that's not the issue, nor is cleaning the inside of the FMIC. I just wanted to know how people kept the outside fins clean of bugs or if there was an easy trick to keeping them clean.

Last edited by Scrapiron7; 07-01-03 at 03:44 PM.
Old 07-01-03, 04:43 PM
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Originally posted by neo_omega
you put wax on your FMIC???
lol no, its not very concentrated its one of these "quick wax" sprays you put on, and it shifts bugs really really easy on bodywork when scrubbing with hot soapy water doesnt work, so im sure it will work fine with a FMIC, i used to polish my alloys with it, worked great!
Old 07-02-03, 12:47 AM
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Originally posted by 93BlackFD
you don't break in a motor in the highway....highway miles are not going to do anything for a breakin period
I agree. Take it to the track!!!!!
Old 07-02-03, 01:51 AM
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Time to get out a toothbrush and start scrubing...
Old 07-03-03, 03:43 AM
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I have never had a problem with just using the garden hose and a wet rag. Bugs and stuff come off real easy IMO.
Old 07-03-03, 03:46 AM
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go to some cosmetic shop and get that pincer or eye lash pincer or anything

hmmm
good idea
lemme try waxing my FMIC
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