Flushing your intercooler

It's been suggested to me that flushing my intercooler may give my 110 a
little performance boost. I was speaking to a fellow Glass member about
how getting up some hills the 110 drops to under 50mph when loaded up for
camping (two adults, two kids, camping stuff + small trailer).

He reckoned that some members of another club have said it's well worth
doing and will almost certainley make a difference.

As I can't afford one of the sexy Allisport ones I saw at Billing I
thought I might have a go at flushing mine, after 150,000 miles there
is a fair chance it may be a bit bunged up.

But what should I use? I was thinking of removing the intercooler and
filling it with some sort of degreaser and leaving it overnight for the
degreaser to disolve whatever may be in there.

Anyone have any suggestions?

--
simon at sbarr dot demon dot co dot uk
Simon Barr.
'97 110 300Tdi.

Simon Hi,

using a can of spray carburator cleaner will do a good job.
If this is not handy then use some of the diesel you burn in your 110.
Lay the intercooler flat, pour a bit of diesel in it, shake it well, empty
it and repeat.
Then fill it up, let is stay for a few hours and then pour some of it out
and shake it well again.
then empty it and try pouring some fresh diesel in it and shake again.

It must be clean by now. If now repeat above procedure.

LR sells a special intercooler cleaning fluid but I do not see a reason to
pay for it.

Take care
Pantelis

"Simon Barr" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> It's been suggested to me that flushing my intercooler may give my 110 a
> little performance boost. I was speaking to a fellow Glass member about
> how getting up some hills the 110 drops to under 50mph when loaded up for
> camping (two adults, two kids, camping stuff + small trailer).
>
> He reckoned that some members of another club have said it's well worth
> doing and will almost certainley make a difference.
>
> As I can't afford one of the sexy Allisport ones I saw at Billing I
> thought I might have a go at flushing mine, after 150,000 miles there
> is a fair chance it may be a bit bunged up.
>
> But what should I use? I was thinking of removing the intercooler and
> filling it with some sort of degreaser and leaving it overnight for the
> degreaser to disolve whatever may be in there.
>
> Anyone have any suggestions?
>
> --
> simon at sbarr dot demon dot co dot uk
> Simon Barr.
> '97 110 300Tdi.

In article <[email protected]>, Pantelis Giamarellos wrote:
> Simon Hi,
>
> using a can of spray carburator cleaner will do a good job.

That sounds like an expensive way to clean it, I bet it would take more than
one can too.

> If this is not handy then use some of the diesel you burn in your 110.
> Lay the intercooler flat, pour a bit of diesel in it, shake it well, empty
> it and repeat.
> Then fill it up, let is stay for a few hours and then pour some of it out
> and shake it well again.
> then empty it and try pouring some fresh diesel in it and shake again.
>

I didn't realise you could use diesel to clean things too, could I put it
back in the tank after using like this?

>
> LR sells a special intercooler cleaning fluid but I do not see a reason to
> pay for it.
>

Didn't know it was something that should be done regularly, just looked in
my workshop manual and in there it recommends using Genklene. Isn't
Genklene a solvent that has been withdrawn from use?

I was going to use a detergent water based cleaner, bad idea??

--
simon at sbarr dot demon dot co dot uk
Simon Barr.
'97 110 300Tdi.

LR said Genklene, which if I remember from a past posting is simply an
organic solvent that quickly evaporates from the ic when it has been flushed
out. I would imagine they supply it or a substitute still. You could use
almost any organic solvent that evaportes similarly, providing you are aware
of the hazardous nature of most organic solvents.
Personally if I were to do it I would stick to the LR product simply because
it should be safe to use and effective.
I've got a degree in chemistry and a very healthy respect for solvents, so
I'm a bit paranoid.

May be worth trying an indipendant garage and see what they use, I think
thats what I would do.
I suspect that whatever is used, if it is effective it will cost.

Incidentally the flush is part of the maintenance schedule listed by LR for
300 Tdi

Good Luck, let us know how you get on as I might have a go myself

John H

> But what should I use? I was thinking of removing the intercooler and
> filling it with some sort of degreaser and leaving it overnight for the
> degreaser to disolve whatever may be in there.
>
> Anyone have any suggestions?
>

Simon Hi again,

The main reason I am using diesel fuel is because it is readily available
and extremely cheaper than the LR stuff.

I do not thing using diesel will harm the engine as the engine runs on
diesel and fresh air.
Exactly the kind of thing that will come out of the intercooler after you
fit it in the car following its cleaning.

I do take extra care to remove as much as possible of the diesel fuel used
for cleaning the intercooler before fitting it back.

I clean the intercooler of both my discos since 1996 like that and have not
yet had a problem.

Water based solvent is something that I have not yet used and can not
comment.

Take care
Pantelis

P.S. As for using the "dirty" diesel that is left over from cleaning the
intercooler I would propose you don't do it mainly because of the fact that
it is dirty. This kind of dirt must mainly be thick engine oil with a high
carbon content so it must not be harmfull to your engine but on the other
hand it is always better to keep the engine fed and lubricated with as clean
fuel and air as possible.
"Hirsty's" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> LR said Genklene, which if I remember from a past posting is simply an
> organic solvent that quickly evaporates from the ic when it has been
flushed
> out. I would imagine they supply it or a substitute still. You could use
> almost any organic solvent that evaportes similarly, providing you are
aware
> of the hazardous nature of most organic solvents.
> Personally if I were to do it I would stick to the LR product simply
because
> it should be safe to use and effective.
> I've got a degree in chemistry and a very healthy respect for solvents, so
> I'm a bit paranoid.
>
> May be worth trying an indipendant garage and see what they use, I think
> thats what I would do.
> I suspect that whatever is used, if it is effective it will cost.
>
> Incidentally the flush is part of the maintenance schedule listed by LR
for
> 300 Tdi
>
> Good Luck, let us know how you get on as I might have a go myself
>
> John H
>
> > But what should I use? I was thinking of removing the intercooler and
> > filling it with some sort of degreaser and leaving it overnight for the
> > degreaser to disolve whatever may be in there.
> >
> > Anyone have any suggestions?
> >
>
>

In article <[email protected]>, [email protected] (Simon Barr)
wrote:

> I didn't realise you could use diesel to clean things too, could I put it
> back in the tank after using like this?

Do as we do and be cheapskates by using heating oil.

--
Niamh
4x4 Cymru
http://www.4x4cymru.co.uk

Hé there,

For a TD5, it is sheduled to be done at 80.000 km
The product mentioned in the manual is Unicorn Chemicals 'C' solvent.
In Belgium, it would cost around 69 ? (From Land Rover) for 5 Liter.

Lieven

"Hirsty's" <[email protected]> schreef in bericht
news:[email protected]...
> LR said Genklene, which if I remember from a past posting is simply an
> organic solvent that quickly evaporates from the ic when it has been
flushed
> out. I would imagine they supply it or a substitute still. You could use
> almost any organic solvent that evaportes similarly, providing you are
aware
> of the hazardous nature of most organic solvents.
> Personally if I were to do it I would stick to the LR product simply
because
> it should be safe to use and effective.
> I've got a degree in chemistry and a very healthy respect for solvents, so
> I'm a bit paranoid.
>
> May be worth trying an indipendant garage and see what they use, I think
> thats what I would do.
> I suspect that whatever is used, if it is effective it will cost.
>
> Incidentally the flush is part of the maintenance schedule listed by LR
for
> 300 Tdi
>
> Good Luck, let us know how you get on as I might have a go myself
>
> John H
>
> > But what should I use? I was thinking of removing the intercooler and
> > filling it with some sort of degreaser and leaving it overnight for the
> > degreaser to disolve whatever may be in there.
> >
> > Anyone have any suggestions?
> >
>
>

lol
An excellent idea.
Only problem is that now it is summer here in Greece and heating oil is
almost the same price as diesel fuel.

Take care
Pantelis


"Niamh Holding" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> In article <[email protected]>, [email protected] (Simon Barr)
> wrote:
>
> > I didn't realise you could use diesel to clean things too, could I put
it
> > back in the tank after using like this?
>
> Do as we do and be cheapskates by using heating oil.
>
> --
> Niamh
> 4x4 Cymru
> http://www.4x4cymru.co.uk

I've used parafin to clean my intercooler, comes out ok.

JInx


"Simon Barr" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> It's been suggested to me that flushing my intercooler may give my 110 a
> little performance boost. I was speaking to a fellow Glass member about
> how getting up some hills the 110 drops to under 50mph when loaded up for
> camping (two adults, two kids, camping stuff + small trailer).
>
> He reckoned that some members of another club have said it's well worth
> doing and will almost certainley make a difference.
>
> As I can't afford one of the sexy Allisport ones I saw at Billing I
> thought I might have a go at flushing mine, after 150,000 miles there
> is a fair chance it may be a bit bunged up.
>
> But what should I use? I was thinking of removing the intercooler and
> filling it with some sort of degreaser and leaving it overnight for the
> degreaser to disolve whatever may be in there.
>
> Anyone have any suggestions?
>
> --
> simon at sbarr dot demon dot co dot uk
> Simon Barr.
> '97 110 300Tdi.

"Simon Barr" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> It's been suggested to me that flushing my intercooler may give my 110 a
> little performance boost. I was speaking to a fellow Glass member about
> how getting up some hills the 110 drops to under 50mph when loaded up for
> camping (two adults, two kids, camping stuff + small trailer).
>
> He reckoned that some members of another club have said it's well worth
> doing and will almost certainley make a difference.
>
> As I can't afford one of the sexy Allisport ones I saw at Billing I
> thought I might have a go at flushing mine, after 150,000 miles there
> is a fair chance it may be a bit bunged up.
>
> But what should I use? I was thinking of removing the intercooler and
> filling it with some sort of degreaser and leaving it overnight for the
> degreaser to disolve whatever may be in there.
>
> Anyone have any suggestions?

5L bulk tin of brake cleaner?
--
Jon

In article <[email protected]>, [email protected] (Pantelis
Giamarellos) wrote:

> Only problem is that now it is summer here in Greece and heating oil is
> almost the same price as diesel fuel.

Neither are €1.20 I'll bet, which is about the cost of white diesel in the
UK, heating oil comes in at something like €0.30

--
Niamh
4x4 Cymru
http://www.4x4cymru.co.uk

In article <[email protected]>, Hirsty's wrote:
> LR said Genklene, which if I remember from a past posting is simply an
> organic solvent that quickly evaporates from the ic when it has been flushed
> out. I would imagine they supply it or a substitute still. You could use
> almost any organic solvent that evaportes similarly, providing you are aware
> of the hazardous nature of most organic solvents.
> Personally if I were to do it I would stick to the LR product simply because
> it should be safe to use and effective.
> I've got a degree in chemistry and a very healthy respect for solvents, so
> I'm a bit paranoid.
>

What exactly is the 'hazardous nature' of organic solvents? I am carefull
when using solvents but I wouldn't recognise an organic one if it came
and slapped me round the face.

> May be worth trying an indipendant garage and see what they use, I think
> thats what I would do.
> I suspect that whatever is used, if it is effective it will cost.
>

Good idea.

> Incidentally the flush is part of the maintenance schedule listed by LR for
> 300 Tdi
>

I know that now I've read my manual but it doesn't say how often, it just
lists it as a service item.

> Good Luck, let us know how you get on as I might have a go myself
>
> John H
>

I might get round to it at the weekend, the intercooler looks easy enough
to get out, only about eight bolts and the hoses. I'll probably try to
clean the hoses too.

Cheers.


--
simon at sbarr dot demon dot co dot uk
Simon Barr.
'97 110 300Tdi.

In article <[email protected]>, Pantelis Giamarellos wrote:
> Simon Hi again,
>

Hi,

>
> I clean the intercooler of both my discos since 1996 like that and have not
> yet had a problem.
>

Does much muck come out and is there a noticeable improvement after the
flushing?

Thanks.

--
simon at sbarr dot demon dot co dot uk
Simon Barr.
'97 110 300Tdi.

I used parafin for mine - worked fine.

I had to use 2 or 3 lots of parafin till it came out clean. Then left
to dry in the sun for half a day and put back together again.

Also, make sure to clean the pipes to and from the intercooler, they
will probably be oily as well - it would be a shame to let oil run
back in once youve cleaned it!

The biggest difference I found was putting a K&N air filter in - made
a bigger difference than cleaning the intercooler.

Slightly off topic but I have found that the K&N's are excellent when
clean but you can really tell when they need cleaning - which reminds
me i really must get a cleaning kit for it.

Jon




On 19 Jul 2004 14:24:12 GMT, Simon Barr <[email protected]> wrote:

>It's been suggested to me that flushing my intercooler may give my 110 a
>little performance boost. I was speaking to a fellow Glass member about
>how getting up some hills the 110 drops to under 50mph when loaded up for
>camping (two adults, two kids, camping stuff + small trailer).
>
>He reckoned that some members of another club have said it's well worth
>doing and will almost certainley make a difference.
>
>As I can't afford one of the sexy Allisport ones I saw at Billing I
>thought I might have a go at flushing mine, after 150,000 miles there
>is a fair chance it may be a bit bunged up.
>
>But what should I use? I was thinking of removing the intercooler and
>filling it with some sort of degreaser and leaving it overnight for the
>degreaser to disolve whatever may be in there.
>
>Anyone have any suggestions?

Mammals are organic ( basically any carbon/ carbon bonded, based compound
eg. alcohols, ethers, benzene family, petroleum derivatives etc. ). Being
organic we bond quite well with similar compounds and hence dissolve; many
many are carconegenic, irritate the airways and breathing mechanism. As
"dirt" is usually greasy ( organic based ) then usually solvents used to
disperse them contain an element of organic nature. This is the principal of
detergents, one end of molecule is attracted to water and the other end is
attracted to grease and hence when agitated in a mix eg washing machine will
drag the dirt from the clothing.
Problem is many solvents are being determined as a danger to mammals and
hence banned ( used to wash my hands in benzene as a student, now the same
action would result in suspension)

As to what is organic, take a look at the container and it might state this,
if not use the help number they give ( or should give ), in the extreme any
university chemistry department will help with a few polite questions.


> What exactly is the 'hazardous nature' of organic solvents? I am carefull
> when using solvents but I wouldn't recognise an organic one if it came
> and slapped me round the face.
>

Hirsty's wrote:
> As to what is organic, take a look at the container and it might state this,
> if not use the help number they give ( or should give ), in the extreme any
> university chemistry department will help with a few polite questions.
>
>>What exactly is the 'hazardous nature' of organic solvents? I am carefull
>>when using solvents but I wouldn't recognise an organic one if it came
>>and slapped me round the face.

The web, stick your solvent name into google, preferable the chemical
name if you know it and safety or "COSHH" (COSHH = Control Of Substances
Hazardous to Health), is generally pretty good at this sort of thing as
long as you have your twaddle filter (mental rubbish sorting) turned up
fairly high. If several sites are in agreement then you probably have
the right answer.

Alistair

What an idiot, I totally forgot about that. Show's how bloody old and in the
past I am. )


"Alistair Bell" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hirsty's wrote:
> > As to what is organic, take a look at the container and it might state
this,
> > if not use the help number they give ( or should give ), in the extreme
any
> > university chemistry department will help with a few polite questions.
> >
> >>What exactly is the 'hazardous nature' of organic solvents? I am
carefull
> >>when using solvents but I wouldn't recognise an organic one if it came
> >>and slapped me round the face.
>
> The web, stick your solvent name into google, preferable the chemical
> name if you know it and safety or "COSHH" (COSHH = Control Of Substances
> Hazardous to Health), is generally pretty good at this sort of thing as
> long as you have your twaddle filter (mental rubbish sorting) turned up
> fairly high. If several sites are in agreement then you probably have
> the right answer.
>
> Alistair
>

Hirsty's wrote:
> "Alistair Bell" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>>
>>The web, stick your solvent name into google, preferable the chemical
>>name if you know it and safety or "COSHH" (COSHH = Control Of
>>Substances Hazardous to Health), is generally pretty good at this sort
>
> What an idiot, I totally forgot about that. Show's how bloody old and in the
> past I am. )
>

Seems to work out surprisingly well! I looked up my chemo drugs when I
was ill and bored and found one of them was Birmingham (I think)
University Chemistry Depts "Molecule of the Month". Was actually quite
interesting!

Alistair

On Tue, 20 Jul 2004 18:44:10 +0100, Alistair Bell
<[email protected]> wrote:

>Seems to work out surprisingly well! I looked up my chemo drugs when I
>was ill and bored and found one of them was Birmingham (I think)
>University Chemistry Depts "Molecule of the Month". Was actually quite
>interesting!

I did exactly the same with my first Chemo blast. The results were
something like "WARNING - this can be lethal" - which I thought was
quite funny, actually!


--
Some Land Roveresque (101 biased), links available
from: http://links.solis.co.uk/Geek/X4_Land_Rover/
I also have a little Land Rover site biased toward
my beloved 101 "Grumble", at: http://www.101fc.net


Reading this in 'alt.fan.landrover'? Did you know
there's a group FAQ: http://www.aflfaq.dyndns.info

Mother wrote:
> On Tue, 20 Jul 2004 18:44:10 +0100, Alistair Bell
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>
>>Seems to work out surprisingly well! I looked up my chemo drugs when I
>>was ill and bored and found one of them was Birmingham (I think)
>>University Chemistry Depts "Molecule of the Month". Was actually quite
>>interesting!
>
>
> I did exactly the same with my first Chemo blast. The results were
> something like "WARNING - this can be lethal" - which I thought was
> quite funny, actually!
>
>
Yes, you read the list of side effects and you read the list of heavy
metal poisoning symptoms and go; "tick, tick, tick, tick, yup thats the
lot!"

Alistair

--
200Tdi Defender 90, 1990