Leaky Intercooler or just Gunk??
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 52
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From: Miami, FL
C32 AMG
Leaky Intercooler or just Gunk??
Guys,
Since I've been loosing a bit of coolant, like half quart every 3 months, I pulled off my intakes today, I found a lot of crud stuck on them, it feels oily with a green hue. Can anyone advise if it is coolant cacked in or gunk from the PCV?
Pictures below:
Thank you!
Since I've been loosing a bit of coolant, like half quart every 3 months, I pulled off my intakes today, I found a lot of crud stuck on them, it feels oily with a green hue. Can anyone advise if it is coolant cacked in or gunk from the PCV?
Pictures below:
Thank you!
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 327
Likes: 1
From: Isla Verde, Puerto Rico
SRT-6
Sorry but your intercooler isn't just leaking, it's a flood! Buy now. https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c...lug-wires.html
Les
Les
Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 189
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2003 C32
Yup, classic intercooler leak. Hit those intakes with some simple green..........let them soak and hose them out. They'll look good as new. Be more careful with the intake portion near the valves. Make sure no gunk that breaks off while you're cleaning falls in there.........stuff some rags down there before you start cleaning that or better yet.........wait to clean that until you actually remove the supercharger as it has to come off anyway to get the intercooler replaced. Safer that way and way easier to clean.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 52
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From: Miami, FL
C32 AMG
Thanks guys. Figured that that was the problem. I was getting misfire on multiple cylinders at WOT. I hope this fixes it.
Thinking on tackling this job myself. Can the SC be lifted off the car by hand or I need a lift + the special bracket?
Appreciate any tips, tricks and things I should be paying special attention to.
Thinking on tackling this job myself. Can the SC be lifted off the car by hand or I need a lift + the special bracket?
Appreciate any tips, tricks and things I should be paying special attention to.
Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 189
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2003 C32
The SC can be lifted off the car by hand but you'll want help, it's HEAVY. No lift needed if you have 2 guys, one on either side. Somewhere there is a great write up I've seen, it's not especially difficult, just takes some time. Also a great time to change the SC oil if you have not done so. Easy access with it off the car. Remember you're picking up the SC and the intercooler together as they're bolted together.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 327
Likes: 1
From: Isla Verde, Puerto Rico
SRT-6
It's a one man job. A helper is good to have but not imperative. I lifted mine twice and had to set it back down to find what was still connected. Setting it back in was a pain because of the vacuum lines that run under the assembly.
With a leak as bad as what you seem to have your pumping air/fuel into the intercooler circuit under boost as well as ingesting antifreeze while cruising around.
Les
With a leak as bad as what you seem to have your pumping air/fuel into the intercooler circuit under boost as well as ingesting antifreeze while cruising around.
Les
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Junior Member
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c32
Don't know if you need to use any sealant but in my generalized experience if you ever remove a gasket its good practice to replace them while your there.
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Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 327
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From: Isla Verde, Puerto Rico
SRT-6
If the old gaskets come off without being bent out of shape you can reuse them with copper spray. New gaskets don't require any sealant however I still use copper spray on them. That way they come off easy at the next removal. I've known about copper spray for decades but never saw the need until the new gaskets I had in the closet were the lower ones and I had no choice but to reuse the old gaskets. The stuff works.
Les
Les
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Joined: May 2010
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From: Chicago
E63 SL55 996TT C5Z06
Yup, classic intercooler leak. Hit those intakes with some simple green..........let them soak and hose them out. They'll look good as new. Be more careful with the intake portion near the valves. Make sure no gunk that breaks off while you're cleaning falls in there.........stuff some rags down there before you start cleaning that or better yet.........wait to clean that until you actually remove the supercharger as it has to come off anyway to get the intercooler replaced. Safer that way and way easier to clean.
Do the intakes only get gunked up if the inercooler is leaking?
wasnt sure if they get normal wear and build up so good to get them opened up and cleaned out every year perhaps even if not leaking?????
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 327
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From: Isla Verde, Puerto Rico
SRT-6
If the air filtration is good and the intercooler isn't leaking you won't find anything but clean surfaces. Well, I have a catch can, if you don't it's possible to find a bit of oil. My intercooler was leaking from the first day. The amount of goo is related to how bad the leak is and how long it's been leaking. It doesn't seem to hurt anything except performance.
Les
Les
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From: I liva at da land down under
Porsche 2004 911
Speed driven aka Rudy RCompart
https://mbworld.org/forums/c32-amg-c...ers-stock.html
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Miami, FL
C32 AMG
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
From: Miami, FL
C32 AMG
Guys,
Thanks for all the help so far. Any tips when I lower back in the S/C? I can envision that to be tricky. I mean specially line up the gasket while bringing it down and avoid damaging it in the process of reposition it. And any other thing you may think of.
Thanks!
Thanks for all the help so far. Any tips when I lower back in the S/C? I can envision that to be tricky. I mean specially line up the gasket while bringing it down and avoid damaging it in the process of reposition it. And any other thing you may think of.
Thanks!
Super Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 522
Likes: 15
2002 C32AMG
If the old gaskets come off without being bent out of shape you can reuse them with copper spray. New gaskets don't require any sealant however I still use copper spray on them. That way they come off easy at the next removal. I've known about copper spray for decades but never saw the need until the new gaskets I had in the closet were the lower ones and I had no choice but to reuse the old gaskets. The stuff works.
Les
Les
thx
