scooby L

My cars now done 3k, and on opening the bonnet I've noticed that the MAJORITY of the fins on the intercooler have bent flat with wind pressure!

My 2003 STI never suffered (I did have the Zero Sports I/C flow fins though)..

I'm assuming the "flatter" entry for the air on the new model is causing this... anyone else with 08 cars suffering?

Any ideas on how to solve it? Or is it out with the tooth pick every week..

ballsie

iTrader: (4)

Haven't noticed it mate - will take a look later on and report back

p.s. love your wheels!

Ian

iTrader: (10)

anyone at a garage hasnt put any tools on top of the intercooler have they?

bugeyeandy

Jetwash up the scoop can do this too, can't imagine wind pressure would do it.

scooby L

hmmmm ok... I suppose that's a good sign! I'll get out there (when it stops raining cats and dogs) and start bending them straight again!

Not sure DaOne, it was the garage's demo but it's not had it's 1st service yet.

Bugeye, yes.. most prob cause (not that I've used a jet wash on it)..but the garage has one.

Cheers Ballsie, BBS wheels the Premium spec gets.. was thinking of having them sprayed anthrasite but currently happy with the gold.

SunnySideUp

The wind wouldn't flatten them - they are really thin and designed in such a way to cope with anything the wind can throw at it.

The mechanics are not resting their tools on it are they?

ballsie

iTrader: (4)

Keep them gold or I'll swap you for my Anthracite GT1's! lol

scooby L

Just noticed your Number plate Ballsie...

Hendry motor? which colour/spec did u get?

scooby L

sorry.. found it in your profile..

White was my 1st choice... sweet motor pal... nice wheels too..

ballsie

iTrader: (4)

Cheers fella

lucky_strike

Got a few bent ones on mine also, I put it down to fly's with a death wish... I don't jet wash it so can't be that and it's not been back for a service either.

I think I saw on one of the more US focused forums that some are putting some mesh somehow between the IC and the scoop?

But for now, the toothpick is my friend and I try to straighten them up whenever I wash it.

scooby L

The mesh idea does not fill me with joy... I used to jet ski and some of the guys fitted a fine mesh over the intake tunnel to stop rocks munching their impellors.... GREATLY reduced water flow and performance was pants. Not saying the effects would be as great, but it seams silly to take a step backwards for the sake of a few munched flys.

NorthDownsScooby

I had the same thought initially. What I realised though was that the fins on the intercooler are there to radiate heat, with the air flow helping. So if the mesh is close enough to the fins it will also heat up and radiate, thus not having so much of a negative effect. Well, that's what I now think anyway.

It does sound like your intercooler's been jetwashed though - can't see the wind doing that.

Rich

Coffin Dodger

Bad idea Significantly reduces the airflow through the IC

mickp

iTrader: (1)

Very interseting this one. I complained to Subaru a while back that the fins had flattened on my intercooler and they basically blamed me

They said that in there opinion there had been some sort of ingress through the bonnet scoop and suggested i had been racing / rallying. My car is mint and in lots of ways better than the day it was collected brand new. It is wrapped in cotton wool and has not been in any way miss-treated

I did write to Peter Bowles at Subaru customer services but Subaru would not budge

Seeing that others are having the same problem makes me want to write another letter because i am convinced either the design is wrong or the fins are weak.

O.K guys how about a letter or fax to Subaru (Peter Bowles) from each of us.

Peter Bowles
Subaru UK LTD
I.M House
South Drive
Coleshill
B46 1DF

Fax:0121 730 8250
Tel: 0121 747 4000

P.M me if you need more details re my claim.

Mick

scooby L

If my motor was brand new mate i'd not hesitate..but it's had 2k miles of unknown use..so I'm high and dry on that score...

mickp

iTrader: (1)

Still should not fold

These cars are built to last and unless it has had two thousand miles worth of track / rallying days and serious neglect then it should have nice straight I/C fins.

Contacting Subaru if nothing else will help them understand possible issues which will enable them to either design the problems out or look after those that experience the issues that bit better.

Give them a nudge, you might get a pleasant surprise

scooby L

Oh..and it's a grey import.....

I know what Subaru UK's two words will be...and it'll end in off

HOWY

shouldn't be if its registered for warranty purposes you could always try asking the orginal dealer abroad to honour any warranty work

mickp

iTrader: (1)

They are all imports mate You dn't ask, you don't get

scooby L

OK Mick, will do...

Nice motor btw... those BBS come in silver? or did u have them sprayed.

mickp

iTrader: (1)

Good man

BBS's are available in silver and gold. Bit of mare to keep clean but i am happy with them.

scooby L

The gold ones just as much of a mare to clean... hence thinking of Anthasite!