bobbycrispbox
Joined: 15 May 2006
Location: The Peaks
Posts: 1350
 
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| Cleaning out my intercooler |
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Denied my trip to the states, I decided to bring forward a job which I've been planning for a bit - cleaning out the intercooler and radiators with the able assistance of my father. This means he did the work and I passed spanners and made coffee.
With the guidance of GTR, we drained the coolant and removed the air filter, top air pipe and the top part of the engine fan coweling. The cooling fan itself was a bit of a challenge, as we didn't have the special tool required to hold the pulley wheel in place whiel the fan is unthreaded. However, a big screwdriver jammed into the whole thing gave just enough counter-force to get it started. The fan off, the bottom half of the cowelling could come out.
Various pipes come off at various times in the procedure, but unfortunately we mistook the A/C condenser lines for the gearbox lines. A loud (and expensive) hiss meant that I now have to get the A/C system regassed. If you see one of these in your engine bay, don't undo it 
We took the radiator and intercooler out in one big lump. The instructions seem to suggest that you can detatch the radiator from the intercooler, but it was going to be pretty awkward. That's not to say it was easy getting the combined lump out.
The radiator didn't look too bad when it was out, and it only took about half an hour to hose through until the water was running clear. The A/C condenser was even easier, taking only a couple of minutes to clean out.
The intercooler, however is another story
 
This took a good two hours to get to the point where water would run through it. It was absolutely solid with mud. It now weighs less than half what it did when it came out.
Reassembly of the whole lot is a job for tomorrow. I've actually got a new intercooler and radiator coming from Saint Nick. An unnecessary extravagance as it turns out, but the initial plan was to swap over and clean later.
  mooie koplampen
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 Tue Mar 18 2008 7:28pm |
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bobbycrispbox
Joined: 15 May 2006
Location: The Peaks
Posts: 1350
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By the way, you can do this without removing the winch  mooie koplampen
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| Tue Mar 18 2008 7:30pm |
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simon
Joined: 11 Jan 2005
Location: Do you really need to know ?
Posts: 14398
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 damn... and brave.
Being a numpty with all this mechanical stuff I am dead impressed when anyone does this Even more so when it put back and works  
I get excited checking and topping up the oil and washer fluids thinking how clever I am 
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| Tue Mar 18 2008 7:34pm |
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bobbycrispbox
Joined: 15 May 2006
Location: The Peaks
Posts: 1350
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I wouldn't normally attempt something this brave... There are an awful lot of parts lying around at the moment. I hope they all go back in. mooie koplampen
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| Tue Mar 18 2008 7:35pm |
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Discowex
Joined: 16 Apr 2007
Location: Craggy Island
Posts: 2970
 
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Was Jean watching you  
Well done
Prompted me to have a look at mine now Don't take life me too seriously ..... it's I'm not permanent
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| Tue Mar 18 2008 7:39pm |
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TazDaz
Joined: 07 May 2007
Location: South East Essex
Posts: 1514
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isn't there an weasier way to clean the intercooler out? 
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| Tue Mar 18 2008 7:42pm |
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bobbycrispbox
Joined: 15 May 2006
Location: The Peaks
Posts: 1350
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Discowex wrote:Was Jean watching you
That's why I'm in North Yorkshire mooie koplampen
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| Tue Mar 18 2008 7:42pm |
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AndrewS
Tarquin of the Desert
Joined: 06 May 2005
Location: Earth
Posts: 5989
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You wait till you take it down the road. 0-60 = Wooooosh and your mpg will improve. For use of a 4x4 site and driver training pm me 
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| Tue Mar 18 2008 7:44pm |
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bobbycrispbox
Joined: 15 May 2006
Location: The Peaks
Posts: 1350
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TazDaz wrote: isn't there an weasier way to clean the intercooler out?
You can do it in situ. However, when it's as choked up as this, it just doesn't work. (I tried ) You need to be able to turn it over and get the water going down through it.
@ AndrewS - Can't wait! mooie koplampen
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| Tue Mar 18 2008 7:45pm |
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AndrewS
Tarquin of the Desert
Joined: 06 May 2005
Location: Earth
Posts: 5989
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TazDaz wrote: isn't there an weasier way to clean the intercooler out?
Stand your D3 on its boot and pour water through the lower grill opening. Oh make sure your windows are closed For use of a 4x4 site and driver training pm me
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| Tue Mar 18 2008 7:48pm |
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DiscoStu
Joined: 09 Apr 2006
Location: Essex
Posts: 6366
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Backwards down Chris's drop at Boughrood should do it Black Betty Tunisia 1 2 3 Power by 
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| Tue Mar 18 2008 7:52pm |
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TazDaz
Joined: 07 May 2007
Location: South East Essex
Posts: 1514
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DiscoStu wrote:Backwards down Chris's drop at Boughrood should do it
hmmmmmm do you think that would work? I'm up there on Saturday
AndrewS wrote:Oh make sure your windows are closed
I'll try and remember that when there's water around 
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| Tue Mar 18 2008 7:53pm |
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DiscoStu
Joined: 09 Apr 2006
Location: Essex
Posts: 6366
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You'd get the car at the right angle - but you'd need the longest hose in the UK Black Betty Tunisia 1 2 3 Power by
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| Tue Mar 18 2008 7:56pm |
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AndrewS
Tarquin of the Desert
Joined: 06 May 2005
Location: Earth
Posts: 5989
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DiscoStu wrote: but you'd need the longest hose in the UK
You Called For use of a 4x4 site and driver training pm me
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| Tue Mar 18 2008 7:58pm |
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DiscoStu
Joined: 09 Apr 2006
Location: Essex
Posts: 6366
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Black Betty Tunisia 1 2 3 Power by
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| Tue Mar 18 2008 7:59pm |
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