will_wrx

I bought an FMIC from a member on here, I wont mention any names. But he knew there was a problem and thats why he sold it. As I checked out his previous threads, he put up a thread saying he had fitted FMIC, car is now running like crap. Unfortunatly, I only found this out as I had just got back from picking it up.

It runs like a pipe is popped off, but there are no pipes popped off, is it worth me trying to fix it?

As finding the leak will be like trying to find a needle in a haystack, it could be in the pipework, hoses or the intercooler itself.

Or would I be best to just put a topmount back on and be done with it?

Bought this intercooler to get the car up and running ready for repair this coming friday, I've spent all weekend fitting it, just to find it doesnt run.

scooby546

iTrader: (1)

Might be worth taking the I/C off again, then putting it in a water bath and seeing where the bubbles come from? That may show you where the leak is, then you can take a view on whether its fixable or not

will_wrx

The actual intercooler itself? Just put it under water?

Thanks

scooby546

iTrader: (1)

yeah, sounds a bit daft, but I reckon it might work...

scooby546

iTrader: (1)

Oh, might need to try pressurising it a little when its under water to create the bubbles, otherwise the water may only leak into it - and make sure its dry before putting it back on

will_wrx

I'm going to give it a try, thanks for your help mate.

mje_wrx

iTrader: (6)

smoke test it, seal the end, smoke pelet, and wait. u will see it come out, its how we find leaks in work on engines. wont harm anything.

rossdj1983

iTrader: (5)

cap off either end and test to about 30 psi mate

scooby546

iTrader: (1)

That sounds better than my idea, as you won't have to dry it out after

will_wrx

I put the intercooler under water, if I hold it upside down so that the two holes are in the air and leaking no water, it all leaks out the core, is this normal?

I dont really have anything to pressurise things with, so finding it hard! Lol

si2000

iTrader: (8)

Hi mate the only place water should come out from is the inlet and outlet of cooler and you would get bits of water in between the fins so that will run out but you may have holes in the bars that run between the fins.

To be sure you would need to get it pressure tested realy
Hope that helps

will_wrx

There was a full on waterfall coming out of the actual core!

I cant see any problems with the pipework or the hoses tbh, but I cant pressurise them, so cant really tell, the car wont run as it is now, just runs all lumpy and stalls.

Think I shall give up!

Thanks for your help guys.

scooby546

iTrader: (1)

My understanding is that the intercooler should be a sealed unit, so when both ends are capped off it shouldn't leak... do you have anything you can seal both ends with, so you can then immerse the whole thing to see where the bubbles come from?

By the sounds of it the core itself could be leaking, which could be hard to fix...

Adam Kindness

iTrader: (1)

if water is pouring out of the core you should be able to see the hole(s) with the naked eye.

Are the welds on the end caps ok?

oadamo

iTrader: (1)

go to the bike shop and buy a innertube cut it out around the valve so you have a big round bit of rubber and zip tie around the intercooler pipe. do the same thing on the other end but to seal it off. then you can use a bike pump to test it.
adam

will_wrx

I'd be happy if it was the core tbh, means just buying a new intercooler, can be picked up cheaply.

But if its pipework, it means buying a whole new pipework kit, not just one pipe thats leaking, to be honest, none of the pipes or silicone look like they are leaking, one pipe has a deep scratch, but still no hole there.

I may try and seal the intercooler and see if it still fills up with water.

I've spent all weekend and today fitting it in a hurry for friday, for it to do this, I have pretty much lost interest, Lol.

Thanks for all your help mate, will go try now to seal it before I rip the whole lot out!

scooby546

iTrader: (1)

Just read your last post, sounds like it is busted... at least you know now so I guess thats a good thing in a way