PDA

View Full Version : Stones stuck in intercooler.


boogie
06-13-2007, 05:20 PM
Well I was driving home Friday night on the 407 when I got stuck in the bad storm we had. Needless to say, it turned out to be more of a dust storm with rocks and sand blowing every which way. (Don't even ask about the chips and scratches I got on my hood!!)

I opened my hood the next morning to find my engine bay completely covered in sand/rocks. I was able to hose most of it down, but there are still a bunch of little rocks stuck in the intercooler. I tried vaccuming but they're stuck right in there. I tried sticking my fingernail in, and learned the hard way that the metal is REALLY soft.

I'm paranoid now about sticking something in to pry out the rocks as i've already bent some of the metal in the intercooler. I don't think it'll effect the performance at all, but it's damn UGLY. Any suggestions as to getting it cleaned out?
WhiteSpeed3
06-14-2007, 02:03 AM
not sure but i guess it will be good to know

anyone?
Skarbro
06-14-2007, 05:38 AM
Try using a dentist's tool (you know those things with the hooks). Pry them up carefully and have a vacuum cleaner going at the same time to help suck them up. You can bend the fins straight if they are bent.
Wild Weasel
06-14-2007, 06:20 AM
Interesting. I should go check mine. I drove through that dust storm on the 401 as well.
bubba1983
06-14-2007, 11:21 AM
don't you mean your radiator? *snickers*
WhiteSpeed3
06-14-2007, 11:23 AM
no i think hes got a mazdaspeed

well its posted in the mazdaspeed section

im confused
Garu
06-14-2007, 11:24 AM
I gotta check mine out, but don't the vents have some sort of filter in them to catch some of stones?
Or is it just one big hole? Looking at the hood, they are quite large... not just stones, but lots of stuff can get in there...
bubba1983
06-14-2007, 11:28 AM
no i think hes got a mazdaspeed

well its posted in the mazdaspeed section

im confused

well ill b e dammed!!! forgot to nitice its in teh speed section...sorry fellas, ill stay otu of your realm!
Unoriginalusername
06-14-2007, 01:54 PM
interesting, i've never thought to look
Wild Weasel
06-14-2007, 03:29 PM
Me neither. The opening at the front is pretty thin, but stuff can certainly make it through.
boogie
06-14-2007, 05:11 PM
I gotta check mine out, but don't the vents have some sort of filter in them to catch some of stones?
Or is it just one big hole? Looking at the hood, they are quite large... not just stones, but lots of stuff can get in there...

yep...once I found a dead bee in there, that I must've sucked up somehow...LOL.

Thanks for the help guys. I'll have to give her a go this weekend when I can remove the cover for the IC.
Unoriginalusername
06-14-2007, 07:57 PM
i got a bee once too, but it was on the plastic just outside the IC
TurboEight
06-14-2007, 09:45 PM
use a compressor=)...and blow it out.
WhiteSpeed3
06-15-2007, 01:50 AM
use a compressor=)...and blow it out.

prob the best thing to do
Skarbro
06-15-2007, 05:32 AM
wouldn't using a compressor will probably lodge a lot of the crap even more in there rather than get it out?
MPS
06-15-2007, 12:33 PM
:ttiwwp
Seliina
06-15-2007, 03:23 PM
Tweezers?
boogie
06-16-2007, 06:55 PM
Well went at her today with some tweezers (Thanks Seliina!) and a steady hand. Was able to get most out, however some are stuck in deep, and others I actually ended up accidentally pushing them through to the bottom of the intercooler. Hopefully that's not too much of a bad thing...LOL
Garu
06-18-2007, 09:30 PM
I checked mine, it looked pretty clean.