Snow clogging the front of my intercooler...

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Old Dec 1, 2006 | 03:38 AM
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Default Snow clogging the front of my intercooler...

First snow in Chicago today and now the front of my intercooler is clogged with slush/ice. Will this cause any type of problems? California and Florida people need not reply
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Old Dec 1, 2006 | 03:47 AM
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Default Re: Snow clogging the front of my intercooler... (tweekerz)

Nature's own IC sprayer. It shouldn't be a problem. Once your engine temps get up, it should heat up the core and melt the snow off.

BTW, a balmy 60 degrees F here in the Wash DC area

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by tweekerz &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">First snow in Chicago today and now the front of my intercooler is clogged with slush/ice. Will this cause any type of problems? California and Florida people need not reply </TD></TR></TABLE>
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Old Dec 1, 2006 | 03:56 AM
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Default Re: Snow clogging the front of my intercooler... (Laserjock)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Laserjock &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Nature's own IC sprayer. It shouldn't be a problem. Once your engine temps get up, it should heat up the core and melt the snow off.

BTW, a balmy 60 degrees F here in the Wash DC area

</TD></TR></TABLE>

Good info thanks! Oh btw, grill some burgers and brats and drink a few for all us midwestern peeps
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Old Dec 1, 2006 | 04:17 AM
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Default Re: Snow clogging the front of my intercooler... (tweekerz)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Laserjock &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">BTW, a balmy 60 degrees F here in the Wash DC area</TD></TR></TABLE>

Damn its warmer there than it is here in Iraq......

Its like 50* here during the day and 34* at night

But to the OP yeah it wont hurt anything..... just think of it as free cooling
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Old Dec 1, 2006 | 04:24 AM
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Default Re: Snow clogging the front of my intercooler... (BoostedEG6)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BoostedEG6 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

Damn its warmer there than it is here in Iraq......

Its like 50* here during the day and 34* at night

But to the OP yeah it wont hurt anything..... just think of it as free cooling</TD></TR></TABLE>

Man thats still sunbathing weather. I cant wait till January when its -5 degrees and I try to startup my boosted car for the first time.

Is there any chances of water travelling up my charge pipes and getting sucked in my engine?
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Old Dec 1, 2006 | 04:34 AM
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Default Re: Snow clogging the front of my intercooler... (tweekerz)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by tweekerz &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Is there any chances of water travelling up my charge pipes and getting sucked in my engine? </TD></TR></TABLE>

turbo is closed system. There is no way water would get into anything.

ps....has been 80F every day here in Fla all week!!
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Old Dec 1, 2006 | 04:37 AM
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Default Re: Snow clogging the front of my intercooler... (mike1114)

We had a few feet of snow here last week and I unfortunately had to drive my R32 GTR to school one day I hit boost once and IAT's were absurdly low, so I'm sure the snow covering everything can't do any harm.
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Old Dec 1, 2006 | 04:50 AM
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Default Re: Snow clogging the front of my intercooler... (tweekerz)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by tweekerz &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">California and Florida people need not reply </TD></TR></TABLE> Hey, I resent that! The National Weather service said it snowed Wednesday the 22nd in Orlando so our opinion is valid!
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Old Dec 1, 2006 | 04:59 AM
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Default Re: Snow clogging the front of my intercooler... (Laserjock)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Laserjock &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Nature's own IC sprayer. It shouldn't be a problem. Once your engine temps get up, it should heat up the core and melt the snow off.

BTW, a balmy 60 degrees F here in the Wash DC area

</TD></TR></TABLE>

What's funny is I learned this isn't true from rally racers. The cars break down if they ever get snow caught on the intercooler because the airflow is blocked and the intercooler can't do it's job anymore.

For the everyday driver though, intake temps are going to be very low anyway so preventing detonation from IAT temps should be fine, plus snow isn't "built up" onto the IC unless you crash and get some in there.
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Old Dec 1, 2006 | 05:07 AM
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Default Re: Snow clogging the front of my intercooler... (adseguy)

it will cool the air better.
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Old Dec 1, 2006 | 05:09 AM
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Default

youl lose airflow but you are icing down the IC

No real gain or loss on a stree car.
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Old Dec 1, 2006 | 05:23 AM
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Default Re: (CRXDrew)

Thanks for the updates guys. My car is low and my front lip acts like a shovel and snow goes right into my FMIC. Looks like ill have to scrape the extra snow because it can potentiallly freeze when temps get cold enough.
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Old Dec 1, 2006 | 06:34 AM
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I can see the though process behind decrease air temps...the ic is gettin the best heat trasnfer possible...its touching ice literally....the problem i forsee is that the radiator isnt doing the same...and the snow is blockin cirtical airflow to the coolin system and engine bay....this would almost create a hot box for the engine to heatsoak and could cause overheating problems w/ lots of boosting...just my 2cents
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Old Dec 1, 2006 | 07:25 AM
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Default Re: (drumking15)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by drumking15 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">I can see the though process behind decrease air temps...the ic is gettin the best heat trasnfer possible...its touching ice literally.
</TD></TR></TABLE>

That's actually the problem it isn't touching the ice/snow. Ever wonder how igloo's work? Sure the snow that directly hits the IC will melt and provide cooling, but then the snow behind that won't and acts as insulator with snow then air then the IC......just like an igloo, or even those Gortex coats that George Kastanza wore. air is a great insulator
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Old Dec 1, 2006 | 07:54 AM
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Default Re: (adseguy)

I got snow in texas yesterday too
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Old Dec 1, 2006 | 08:05 AM
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Default Re: (adseguy)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by adseguy &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

That's actually the problem it isn't touching the ice/snow. Ever wonder how igloo's work? Sure the snow that directly hits the IC will melt and provide cooling, but then the snow behind that won't and acts as insulator with snow then air then the IC......just like an igloo, or even those Gortex coats that George Kastanza wore. air is a great insulator </TD></TR></TABLE>
yes i understand that...but he clearly states its cloggin his IC...not his grill in front...if the snow/ice is touching the IC wouldnt it just act like a very effective heatsink....using the snow as a medium.....but i def see your point if it isnt touching the IC...then no airflow is present and both runnig temps and iats would go up...but since its cold weathered...id assume this difference would be hard to notice unless running lots of power/timing
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Old Dec 1, 2006 | 01:29 PM
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Default Re: (drumking15)

Snow/ice is just the short term issue. Unless you have some POS ebay unit, or really want to upgrade, the SALT is the biggest issue. I highly doubt Chicago lays down chemicals that deice the road. Everywhere in Wisconsin they use rock salt, which will eat that aluminum like candy. The corrsion will make a very nice insulator eventually. Anodized or not, you've bound to had some nics on it lately, which will start the whole process where the anoziation coat isn't pressent.

Anyways, as mentioned, you'll have airflow problems for the entire engine bay. You'll also have issues where the snow covering turns to ice when you leave the car sit. Once the ice is there, you now have that nice insulation you'll regret.

As long as your ems makes corrections for IAT's, you should be okay. Depending on where your intake is, you may or may not see a big diff in temps from the day you tuned it.


btw I feel your pain. There's currently 12" of snow in this part of WI, luckly I had a snowblower and didn't have work/school today.
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