What procedure/tools do you guys use to clean bugs and stuff from your intercoolers, and straighten the fins back out? I was going to use tweezers, but the wire mesh looks to be too far forward.

Just want to know if you have any good tricks that will keep me from having to take the wire mesh out.

Thanks

 

I used steel rods with rounded tips. They were sized to just slip fit through an undamaged cell in the intercooler fins. For each bent fin I would carefully work rods in the surrounding cells. Once they are all in, I would just roll them back and forth against the bent fin to straighten it out.

It is easier than it sounds. But it will take time if you have many bent fins.

 

.. those fins are super delicate aren't they..

my advice is to clean it up the best you can.. then run with the bug screen for added protection.

 

You can remove the OEM screen. It's help on by two bolts that are easily accessible due to the top corners of the screen being bent where the bolts are. I will have to look at the car again, but it looked really easy to take off! Then its very simple to fix the bent fins...

 

There's a tool that you can buy online called a fin rake that you can use to straighten bent fins. It's probably a pain in the *** to use but certainly better than spending $700 for a new IC. However, minor dents and some bent fins won't badly affect performance. If you've got _lots_ of bent fins (like maybe over 25%) then I'd start worrying about blockage of airflow to your radiator....

 

When I did mine, I took the front bumper off and just used needle nose pliers.

 

... plus.. if you're over 25% banged up.... your cooler will look pretty rank all bent up and out of shape. if that matters that is..

 

There are two fastener locations on the bottom of the screen that I’m fairly sure you can only get to from behind. You have to remove all or part of the splash guard to get at them. I can’t remember how the fasteners are at the top of the screen.

Best wishes,
f86sabre