Two Issues - Cleaning FL1 Intercooler and Pipes - Clutch Bracket

[101RRS]

I have been putting of some major maintenance work on my L series diesel that I am going to have to get in and do soon.

It has now done 270,000km and I doubt the intercooler has been out of it. While doing this work I thought I would take the intercooler and pipes out and give them a good clean.

What is the best way to clean the internals of the intercooler and what should I be looking at as far as the condition of the connecting pipes are concerned.

I think the suction pipe from the air cleaner to the turbo is of a hard plastic/rubber construction and does not look as if it has collapsed. The pipes from the turbo to the intercooler and then to the inlet manifold are soft rubber but are under pressure and seem Ok. I would prefer not to replace them if absolutely necessary.

Also I have the design issue of the clutch bracket that holds the slave cylinder cracking or bending and restricting clutch movement when hot. Is this bracket best repaired or a new one bought (with the same problem recurring after a while). Can this be done without unbolting the bellhousing/gearbox.

Thanks

Garry

[woko]

I have only ever used petrol to clean out inter-coolers. After washing out let it dry out before re fitment. There is a solvent that is made just for cleaning inter-coolers but petrol works fine.

I have always replaced the bracket, so cant tell you if repairing is successful. Yes they just unbolt don't have to remove bell housing

[101RRS]

Thanks for that - too easy. I assume that as the environment inside the intercooler is "warm" rather than hot the oil mist from the turbo only coats it with oil rather than burning it in.

Cheers

Garry

[woko]

It cleans them out well. you may need to do a few washes. If you want to see junk have a look after the EGR valve.