The intercooler on my WRX has acquired some muck, mostly dead insects, but the mesh doesn't look particularly resilient and so I am reluctant to apply any rigourous brushing that may cause damage. What's the best method of cleaning?

 

apparently take it off, turn it upside down, and run water through it, then shake it to let insects etc fall out

Straighten fins with feeler gauge/toothpic etc, then run hose through it again (not a jetwash)

Steve

 

Thanks Steve.

 

why not a jetwash?
i did mine
its been fine

 

fin damage

 

jet wash mine as well big fan patten of water mid range power and woooosh clean good as new don't get too close to the intercooler. for small stone ect i use a cocktail stick. then hoover it when it is dry.
not damaged so far.
and i have had the car 12 months.

 

LOL hooverin the intercooler

Never actually thought of that, I have previously jetwashed my engine bay, but stood back, so the spray wasnt so vigorous

guess the same can be applied for the intercooler, but if you slip (like I did on my door, and put a scratch on the side of it) its a lot of fin straightening afterwards