Living in Florida leads to lots of lovebugs and I would like to clean out the fins of my intercooler. Ive done some reading here and elsewhere and would like some opinions on our TDIs specifically. If someone has used a fin tool what TPI did you determine out intercooler to have? Did you have any luck with coil cleaner/bug cleaners to aid in the cleaning process. TIA.
Intercooler cleaning
- Thread starter pdt165
- Start date
nicklockard
Torque Dorque
I've never had to, but have you tried a pressure washer yet? If absolutely needed, you could spray on a solution of enzyme cleaner, let it soak 15 minutes, and pressure wash it down.
I've read that the high pressure can do more damage than good by bending the fins, I like the idea of the enzyme spray tho.
Last edited:
jrolstin
Member
Yes +1 to spray and then light rinse and blow out carefully with compressed air
JR
JR
Ckoskie
Veteran Member
Diddo on JR's comment.
nicklockard
Torque Dorque
a standard home owner's grade pressure washer won't be able to damage unless put way too close to the fins.
79jasper
Veteran Member
A lot has to do with the angle of the sprayer.
Only hit it straight through.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Only hit it straight through.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
oilhammer
Certified Volkswagen Nut & Vendor
You realize it is impossible for "love bugs" to hit your intercooler, right? On your car, that part sits BEHIND the A/C condenser, in front of the radiator. The condenser gets all the debris first. Including those silly love bugs. 
If you wanted to clean your intercooler, this is what you'd have to do:
Drain the coolant
Recover the refrigerant
Remove the bumper cover
Remove the lower splash shield and lower fenderliners
Disconnect the wire connectors to the cooling fans, crash sensors, hood latch switch, headlamps, MAP sensor
Disconnect the radiator hoses from the radiator
Disconnect the refrigerant pipes from the condenser
Disconnect the charge air pipes from the intercooler
Remove the lock carrier assembly
Remove the charge air cooler (with radiator and fans attached on one side, condenser attached on the other side) as an assembly from the lock carrier
Remove radiator with fans from one side, remove condenser from the front side
Now your intercooler is naked, and can be cleaned from either side
If you wanted to clean your intercooler, this is what you'd have to do:
Drain the coolant
Recover the refrigerant
Remove the bumper cover
Remove the lower splash shield and lower fenderliners
Disconnect the wire connectors to the cooling fans, crash sensors, hood latch switch, headlamps, MAP sensor
Disconnect the radiator hoses from the radiator
Disconnect the refrigerant pipes from the condenser
Disconnect the charge air pipes from the intercooler
Remove the lock carrier assembly
Remove the charge air cooler (with radiator and fans attached on one side, condenser attached on the other side) as an assembly from the lock carrier
Remove radiator with fans from one side, remove condenser from the front side
Now your intercooler is naked, and can be cleaned from either side
Last edited:
Hm, ok. I guess my question still stands but should have read clean condensor.You realize it is impossible for "love bugs" to hit your intercooler, right? On your car, that part sits BEHIND the A/C condenser, in front of the radiator. The condenser gets all the debris first. Including those silly love bugs.
If you wanted to clean your intercooler, this is what you'd have to do:
Drain the coolant
Recover the refrigerant
Remove the bumper cover
Remove the lower splash shield and lower fenderliners
Disconnect the wire connectors to the cooling fans, crash sensors, hood latch switch, headlamps, MAP sensor
Disconnect the radiator hoses from the radiator
Disconnect the refrigerant pipes from the condenser
Disconnect the charge air pipes from the intercooler
Remove the lock carrier assembly
Remove the charge air cooler (with radiator and fans attached on one side, condenser attached on the other side) as an assembly from the lock carrier
Remove radiator with fans from one side, remove condenser from the front side
Now your intercooler is naked, and can be cleaned from either side