Hey guys well i removed the intercooler today and cleaned it out with water and good old soap, i noticed that their was oil in the intercooler and was wondering if was maybe from my oil filter that i had rescently lubed, for i have a rebulit pair of turbos with only with only 15k on them. I also noticed oil in the tube that goes from the intercooler to the manifold, but no oil in the tube that runs from the turbo y-pipe to the intercoler. Think its just oil from the air filter? now to my main question. I removed the intercooler to clean it out and removed the air seperation tank out and to the side so i could remove the intercooler. I moved the ast a few times as i was cleaning around the engine bay etc... after i had installed the intercooler and slapped back the ast to the intercooler, i decided to check the filler neck. When i turned the top i heard the sound like opening a can of pop, air escaping sound... when i looked inside no coolant in the filler neck! what the heck happend? i checked the overflow and the stick is wet and at the appropriate level, do you think because of me moving the ast around that could have caused some air pressure? i dont see any coolant on the ground anywhere, so i am ok i take it then? just start it up and the level well probably come back to its level in the filler neck or...... ? need advise asap!

 

any body?

 

Never use soap and water to clean the insides of the IC.
It does not do a good job of disolving oil build up and can cause oxidation of the aluminum. Use gas or paint thinner. All turbos have a little oil blow by, and the #1 turbo also can suck up some oil from the oil filler tube which goes down into the pan and block area where some engine blowby goes.

Get rid of the AST as it is a time bomb wating to burst!

 

It is common to have some oil in the intercoler. I've seen some people tap and run a line to the manifold so the oil gets sucked intot he motor but I don't know how good that works.

 

I have been told to use water and soap, anyway i went ahead and used it and man the intercooler looks totally clean including the grills inside and the outside. Big difference to i took the car out for a little rip and the car is way more responsive. I recommend those of you that have stock ic to clean them out once in a while.

 

Yes, if the AST moved or depressurized then your coolant probably sucked back into the overflow tank. Just top it off in the filler neck and make sure the system is burped.

As far as cleaning the IC, I would recommend using Carb Cleaner. It's a little safer (and cheaper right now) than gas and guts grease and oil very well.

 

there is no coolant that flows through the intercooler.

 

He's not talking about coolant flowing through the intercooler but moving the AST that was/is attached to the IC.

If you read his posts, he removed the IC from the car, cleaned it, reinstalled it, and noticed that the coolant in the filler neck was gone.

 

thanks mahjik