meph137 Posted August 3, 2008 Share Posted August 3, 2008 (edited) Just wondering if anyone had any advice, I was using a power washer today and didn't realize how powerful it actually wash until it hit my intercooler, its not done loads of damage but a bit, though id post some pics (phone cam im afraid) and see what people think, I reckon its fine but thought Id ask. Its hard to see with the pics, its only gone through the front meshing bits in the places ive marked in red, all other bits the front mesh is fine but just bent or dented in places. Edited August 3, 2008 by meph137 (see edit history) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamieP Posted August 3, 2008 Share Posted August 3, 2008 Ive seen a lot worse, you could try and straighten the fins out with a small screwdriver if you are worried about it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meph137 Posted August 3, 2008 Author Share Posted August 3, 2008 Straighten them? I think id be there for a year the front ones (is that right? are there multiple layers or just one wide layer?) have disintegrated under the might of the pressure washer in the red highlighted areas, in the other areas its just bendy, though they are so fragile! I never really knew, just press them lightly and they bend.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meph137 Posted August 3, 2008 Author Share Posted August 3, 2008 Plus, I'm technically dumb so forgive the question obvioulsy the intercooler is pretty important, but does a bit (or even quite a lot) of damage affect it much? I imagine its quite a thick block, plus after a short but quite spirited drive it was cold to the touch, so it seems like its not used all that much? Either that or takes along time to get hot Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Posted August 3, 2008 Share Posted August 3, 2008 To be honest, that’s not that bad compared some of them out there. I've seen them with no fins at least an inch deep. It's a sign that it's past it's useable life, so a new one should really be on the cards. The temp of the IC itself has no bearing on how it works, it's the temp of the air flowing through it that matters. With bent fins like that it's restricting the efficiency of the intercooler so it will be negatively impacting the performance. But as mentioned, it's not disastrous, it's just a sign that you should replace it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meph137 Posted August 3, 2008 Author Share Posted August 3, 2008 So its not likely to cauge damage by overheating I'd imagine then? Any idea on how much a new IC is? I'll have a look in the for sale bit, but if anyone has a rough figure would be nice to know, any point in getting an uprated one? Car is totally standard... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamesy W Posted August 3, 2008 Share Posted August 3, 2008 Roughly £200 to over a grand. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Posted August 3, 2008 Share Posted August 3, 2008 So its not likely to cauge damage by overheating I'd imagine then? Any idea on how much a new IC is? I'll have a look in the for sale bit, but if anyone has a rough figure would be nice to know, any point in getting an uprated one? Car is totally standard... IIRC the stock one is about £450 from Nic, you can get an uprated Chris Wilson one for about £650, there was a GB a little while okay so there might still be one available. Unless you're aiming for 550+bhp in the future you're best off sticking with the SMIC. As proved by Wez, the CW one is more than capable on a small single. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meph137 Posted August 3, 2008 Author Share Posted August 3, 2008 Cheers for the info guys, like I said before I know almost nothing of intercoolers, just read a bit more and from what I can tell a damaged intercooler wont cause overheating or similar, but will impact performance and might cause detonation, does that sound about right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RiceRocket Posted August 3, 2008 Share Posted August 3, 2008 Wouldn't it have an increased negative effect in our sporadic 'summer' as opposed to winter? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooter Posted August 3, 2008 Share Posted August 3, 2008 but will impact performance and might cause detonation, does that sound about right? yes..........but i'd say as long as you stay at stock power then your intercooler in that state will be fine for a while yet.........maybe budget for one next spring? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ManwithSupra Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 Mine was a alot worse than that, nothing to worry about right now but start saving for a new one, i have heard that the Chris Wilson uprated ones are very very good, i am thinking about doing mine again (i got a 2nd hand replacement one) so i may go for the CW uprated cooler i think they are around the £600 mark but well worth it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nic Posted August 4, 2008 Share Posted August 4, 2008 Pics of a brand new OEM and GReddy SMIC here http://mkivsupra.net/vbb/showthread.php?t=143168 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meph137 Posted August 4, 2008 Author Share Posted August 4, 2008 Cheers for the helpful info, I might use some tweezers to remove some of the obviously buggered fins and straighten any I feel I could, wont go OTT tho as I'd be there for a year and a half I reckon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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