I've discovered that after 40K driving, the inside of the pipes that take air to and from the intercooler (and no doubt in the I/C itself) are covered in a black oily gunge from the crankcase breather system. So...

1. Has anyone tried to clean out their pipes and I/C?

2. If yes, how did you go about it?

3. Did it make any difference to engine performance?

4. Or is it a waste of time as presumably it will all foul up again in a fairly short time?

Answers on a postcard...

asked a question about cleaning the I/C istelf a few weeks back so would love to know the answer to this!

oil and crud in intercooler pipe work is normal and nothing to worry about , and theres no real point in cleaning them out because they will be cruddy again in no time . the only time you need to clean anything out on that pipe work is if the turbo has gone (smoke out the back) as it usually fills the intercooler up with oil .

Get a fmic?

bigger intercooler = more crud , but car does go faster i suppose !

More room for crud

I just go for a "drive it like you stole it" drive now and again...

done 64k and no crud in my pipes

I've discovered that after 40K driving' date=' the inside of the pipes that take air to and from the intercooler (and no doubt in the I/C itself) are covered in a black oily gunge from the crankcase breather system. So...

1. Has anyone tried to clean out their pipes and I/C?

2. If yes, how did you go about it?

3. Did it make any difference to engine performance?

4. Or is it a waste of time as presumably it will all foul up again in a fairly short time?

Answers on a postcard...[/quote']

Any oil/crud on the inside of the i/c will reduce intercooler efficiency. It's worthwhile cleaning it. Fill it up with petrol. Leave it a while, then drain it. Leave it a little while to evaporate any remaining petrol before refitting.

A reason to get an oil/air separator. 'least all it does in a diesel is slightly reduce performance...

so it's a simple case of just removing the smic, filling it with petrol, rinsing with water then leave to dry?

Hey Vindaloo - any idea of sources of an oil/air separator and where would it fit?

Hey Vindaloo - any idea of sources of an oil/air separator and where would it fit?

Sadly, no... Though they're big sellers for Japanese Turbo cars AKA "oil catch can/tank" etc.

Main issue is knowing the engine breathing system circuit and where to plonk the flipping thing.

Simplest option is to use a bottle(coke?!) to act as an expansion chamber and plumb the output back into the inlet. Or you could VTA it... bit naughty really though. Could also use a tin or a jar.

On the Fabia, ISTR the EGR system adds to the "crud" level.

J.

EGR is turned down to a minimum on mine using VAG-COM

Can I ask what EGR is? :confused:

Exhaust Gas Recirculation Valve - basically it re-uses spent gasses in an attempt to reduce emissions, but IIRC Jason removed the head gasket on his old motor and found that there was LOTS of crud & soot in there because of the EGR valve's operation. A quick play with VAG-COM near as damnit turns it off (can't be turned off without physically blocking it) and should keep the engine cleaner for longer. Mine idles a lot better and appears to revv cleaner, also I note a lot less soot, but this could all be a placebo effect, but IMO it's a definate mod and it costs nothing, just need to find someone with VAG-COM nearby (wouldnt recommend a visit to your dealer)!

Exhaust Gas Recirculation Valve - basically it re-uses spent gasses in an attempt to reduce emissions, but IIRC Jason removed the head gasket on his old motor and found that there was LOTS of crud & soot in there because of the EGR valve's operation. A quick play with VAG-COM near as damnit turns it off (can't be turned off without physically blocking it) and should keep the engine cleaner for longer. Mine idles a lot better and appears to revv cleaner, also I note a lot less soot, but this could all be a placebo effect, but IMO it's a definate mod and it costs nothing, just need to find someone with VAG-COM nearby (wouldnt recommend a visit to your dealer)!

Ok, if you have Vag Com, whats the procedure?

PM Sent

Could you you send the procedure to me too please?

Or you could just try searching...

Have a look in the how to/guides and tips section.

And I think vRStu has a section on cleaning intercooler on his website?

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Edit it works now...

And I think vRStu has a section on cleaning intercooler on his website?

This was copied from another site and isn't specific to the vRS, I would be concerned about cleaning it incase of damaging it and costing