Intercooler clean-up - Diesel Forum

av8or · 07-21-2007, 09:18 AM

I'm going to install a Racor CCV 3550 and would like to clean up the intercooler so I can get max efficiency from it. What suggestions do you have for cleaning the intercooler? Looking in the radiator area it appears you could remove the crossmember that goes over the intercooler just in front of the radiator and remove the intercooler without removing the radiator. Anybody have experience with this? What to look out for? Had a friend suggest drilling a hole in the bottom of the intercooler to clean it, then plug the hole--not sure about this idea though. He thinks it would be just as effective for cleaning.

skylinedan · 07-21-2007, 11:41 AM

If I don't end up getting a 6.0 cooler I'm gonna do the same thing some time. We get this stuff from the power washer guys, its a truck wash has acid in it for cleaning truck trailers motors. I was going to put some in the cooler let it soak over night and just presure wash it the next day. There was a guy on here that pulled his let it sit over night , the next mornig he had a pudle the size of a basket ball on the floor from the oil that run out. Should tell you something about how much oil can be inside one. My truck has 107,000 miles wonder how much is in mine? LOL.

Dan

av8or · 07-21-2007, 11:55 AM

Well, you've started the next part of this challenge is cleaning the thing. I was planning to use Greased Lightning or Simple Green. Or maybe parts cleaner--heaven forbid I use gasoline like I used to, but it sure cuts oil. I would still like to get a comment on whether or not you can get the intercooler off without removing the radiator? Thanks.

smcinrox · 07-21-2007, 11:55 AM

I used dish detergent to clean mine. Took the CAC out, laid it on the driveway and filled it to the brim with a mixture of warm water and soap. shook it around, let it soak, poured it out, flushed. Kept dooing this untill the water came out clean. Probably 4 or 5 times.Made sure the last flush was really good. I then hooked up heat gun on the cool setting (just blows air with no heat) to one side of the CAC. set the CAC up verticle and let it run for a few hours to dry the inside out.

smcinrox · 07-21-2007, 11:59 AM

[ QUOTE ]
I would still like to get a comment on whether or not you can get the intercooler off without removing the radiator? Thanks.

[/ QUOTE ]

I didn't see a way to remove mine without pulling the radiator. Hopefully someone else will chime in if there is.

skylinedan · 07-21-2007, 12:17 PM

I don't believe you can I just looked at mine wonder ing the samething. I have'nt worked on one for awhile , but we have a guy building a o7 here at the shop I'll ask him when I see him , should be here soon I think. He had his all apart, ( cab change ) .

Dan

racesidner · 07-21-2007, 12:24 PM

You can just push the raditor back and unbolt the cross bar that holds the hood latch and take it out and i had a buddy help me and you can slide the intercooler out no problem. I let mine set overnite with red thunder in it and i was amazed at how much oil come out of it and then i dried it out with compressed air and was good to go. You don't want to drill any holes in it!!!