Greetings from a newbie...

My MY00 is only 3000 miles old and already the intercooler looks like it's been to Bosnia and back. It can only be insects hitting it at speed (they buzz around pretty quick up here in Scotland!)
Is this normal? (the damage I mean.) Does anyone know of a decent protector on the market?

 

Hey Rich, It's an oft asked question. Protectors are available, Power Engineering do a smart looking one. But arguements rage as to whether the loss of airflow they create will be a problem. A better thing to do is spend a couple hours with a coktail stick straightening them out yourself. Tedious, but definitely the best solution.
Cheers
Chuck

 

Cocktail stick seems to be the answer. It is a good job that the intercooler is in such an easy to get at position or you might do your back in!

 

No problem. If you do your back in then you can phone Claims Direct and they will sue Fuji Heavy Industries. It's win win all the way.

 

Cheers Kevin - I wonder if i can sue the cocktail stick manufacturer if i poke my eye out whilst de-flying me 'cooler?

 

Also found it useful to have the nozzle of the Vacuum Cleaner extension strategically placed to suck up the remains as they get pinged out by the tooth/cocktail stick.

Spent about an hour doing this last weekend and was fed up with the little blighters falling back down the intercooler fins. For some reason it was the backs of my legs that came off the worst. I could hardly walk for a few minutes after finishing


[This message has been edited by Nimbus (edited 03-07-2000).]

 

lol kevin

 

Thanks for the advice guys.

Has anyone fitted a protector and could they comment on any performance loss?
Or should I shut up and get cocktail-sticking???

 

Sorry - no experience of a protector - loads with a cocktail stick. I really should get out more i know!

My opinion only - a protector of any sort with holes small enough to stop flies - very small mesh would cut down on the air flow - i am probably wrong and i am sure that someone will tell you (and i) different.

 

I fitted the GGR guard which goes under the scoop. Does not seem to effect airflow that I can tell. Saw a PE guard on a pals car and the insects were wedged between the guard and the fins, damn difficult to remove without fin damage.

My guard seems to collect straw, bird feathers and the odd leaf. Very few insects, but it hasn't really been warm enough this year for them.

Ken

 

RichS,

140mph insect hits, wow, that's one hell of a headwind... 70mph of it on a motorway, I assume! Of course, it may be extremely fast insects!

I have a power engineering intercooler shield spare, make me an offer if you want one.

Moray

 

Moray

Thanks mate.
I'll follow what appears to be the general advice here and persevere with the cocktail sticks for now (once I've eaten the cheese and pickled onions!)

If I'm still not happy, I'll drop you an E-mail 'bout that protector...

Cheers


Rich

 

A nice sheet of perspex over the top should provide an excellent wipe clean surface - Sorry couldn't resist the sarcastic comment!!

MickeyG

 

Did you get this sorted Rich? Its just that I'm having a similar problem.

 

I want to know what use a protective with holes would be??? Oh sorry........now I see it says protector.

 

Go on then... muppetize my first ever post...

 

OK - You did ask

 

Could always nick the girlfriends tweezers - they hold the insects instead of them dropping off...

 

Jen, would the wife's tweezers work as well as the girl friends, or would they be less effective?

 

have you considered reversing?

 

No, its difficult enough making progress in a Skoda without adding complications like reversing, or weight from the flies!

Being serious though, does debris like this affect performance much or is it an aesthetic thing?

 

or cornering?

 

damn - missed it

 

Amazing! When you first raised this Rich, it only had 58 views! People are obviously interested.

Oh and too slow by the way

 

It's not the debris, it's the bent fins from the super-soft intercooler maxtrix which restricts the air flow...

 

yeah - the old thread gets a new lease of life

 

Excellent

I have a protector perspex thingy

 

does it keep you safe?

 

Yeah, but the perspex gets scratched and dirty

Putting the intercooler in the boot might be a better idea...

(can't believe I'm muppeting my own "first ever thread"... )

 

Does the perspex have holes in it?

If it does surely the insects can still get through, albeit not the fat bloater bugs that do serious damage. If not, how do you get cool air to it? Genuinely intrigued now!