Intercooler stuffed??

[marty359]

The C32 was loosing coolant so I took it into my indie for a pressure test (all ok) and he added some dye to the coolant some time ago and said bring it back.

Weeks went by and the coolant level didn't change so I thought no more of it. Gear changes are still fine and I had the valeo rad replaced for peace of mind 2 years ago. The cars not really been used much as I've been working away and the wife uses the diesel but I took it for a spin this morning and as usual I started to grin and thought I love this car coolant light came on ah yes I forgot about that.

So I whipped off the plenum chamber covers, very brave for me as anything car related usually ends in tears, and this is what I found and yes it looks like traces of the dye in my coolant



Can anyone confirm that my intercooler is shot from that pic or could it be something else? I got the hoover out and sucked up all the crap from around the edges before it fell in.

It still drives the same and it doesn't feel underpowered although around the supercharger pulley area it kinda sounds different but then I never really stand looking at the engine with it running

 

[Dieselman]

I think it would be fair to surmise the intercooler has split. Can you see water in the air path of it?

 

[marty359]

I can't see any visable signs of water anywhere just the sludge, I can't get a good look into the chamber as I don't want to fully remove the cover as the bolts look like they will be a bitch to get back on.


I was getting the car ready to sell can they be repaired or a new intercooler?

 

[Dieselman]

You might be able to get it re-cored if it can be opened up.

 

[SavMan]

It does look like your intercooler, can't think of any other way for the dye to enter at that stage.

 

[marty359]

Blimey....£818+vat+fitting

Where ever you are in the country if you stop what your doing at 4pm and listen carefully you will hear the wife's reaction

 

[Neil Mackay]

What's so difficult about a replacement intercooler that warrants that amount of money??

Savman was sourcing some upgraded ones for less than half that!!

 

[ikarl]

is that at an indi?

 

[marty359]

Savman was sourcing some upgraded ones for less than half that!!

is there a thread somewhere?

SavMan?

is that at an indi?

My first call was to a main dealer.

Just spoke to Viking radiators he can get one for £175 with a 2 year guarantee but i'll have to check it's the right part as it seems rather cheap!!

 

[ricky s]

Hope you get it fixed Marty, without it breaking the bank, absolute sods law mate. After reading your post I must confess I did put my tools down at 4PM, but all was silent, thought, its OK, so hopefully your still married and have R and Little M to go home too, sure dinner will be on the table as ever. As my wife say's, 'its only a car', albeit I personally do not subscribe to this line of thought, but she's probaly right as ever!. All the best with the repair mate.