damaged intercooler

[mike the snake]

Not sure how this happened. I pulled the front of the car off to replace the driver's side headlight, and noticed the oil and dust on the intercooler, and on closer inspection I noticed this.

My first thought is,,,,,,I just hit a deer, and have to replace the $1100 headlight, a month ago someone hit my car while parked ($1000 deductable) and now the intercooler is fucked up, and I'm BROKE!

My second thought is, while not Kosher, that if I clean the area really well, that I might be able to use JB-Weld or one of those thicker putty style epoxies and simply plug this hole.

My third thought is, that I MIGHT be able to get this welded with the intercooler still on the car, which would be the best route I think.

My fourth thought is, it's a good time to install an aftermarket intercooler, but that will run me a couple grand I don't have, so that's out for now, unless a rich Uncle I don't know about dies and leaves me intercooler money.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

[ilikebmxbikes]

Purchasing a used stock intercooler is usually about ~$250-300

I suggest buying an after market intercooler for $800 range. You can find a used one for a little less.

Install will be around $250-350 depending on the shop.

[bmwe82]

Intercooler a couple grand?? There are TONS of sub 1k options, some as low as a few hundred dollars brand new..have a look around

[bmwe82]

250-350 for an intercooler install?? Lol its not even a 30min job

[Dackelone]

Why not claim it under your insurance company's comp insurance? Most comp claims have a zero deductable(for stone damge or glass damager. This includes headlights). You should have claimed the headlight under this comp claim too. Maybe its not too late. I would contact your insurance copmany.

[ilikebmxbikes]

Originally Posted by bmwe82

250-350 for an intercooler install?? Lol its not even a 30min job

it depends on the intercooler / shop. AA intercooler instal VS a HPF intercooler is pretty significant.

[SpaceG135i]

Originally Posted by ilikebmxbikes

it depends on the intercooler / shop. AA intercooler instal VS a HPF intercooler is pretty significant.

+1

i have the AA intercooler and took me about hour / hour and half for install. My buddy got the HPF and did it in less than an hour. It really depends on Shop and experience and end of the day

[mike the snake]

Well, that's good to hear. I dealt with the dealership bodyshop on my minor dent, and it came out to almost 3 grand, and the headlight is $1100, and I figured the labor would be way too much, so I decided to replace it myself. I found a good used one for $449, and I should be able to install it back on the car easily enough.

I thought the intercooler would be a lot more to install.

I'll check with my insurance, I have a $1000 deductable (which I am changing today) and I assumed I'd need to pay that for both the headlight and intercooler.

I'll look for a good stock replacement, or a good price on a good aftermarket intercooler.

[ilikebmxbikes]

Originally Posted by mike the snake

Well, that's good to hear. I dealt with the dealership bodyshop on my minor dent, and it came out to almost 3 grand, and the headlight is $1100, and I figured the labor would be way too much, so I decided to replace it myself. I found a good used one for $449, and I should be able to install it back on the car easily enough.

I thought the intercooler would be a lot more to install.

I'll check with my insurance, I have a $1000 deductable (which I am changing today) and I assumed I'd need to pay that for both the headlight and intercooler.

I'll look for a good stock replacement, or a good price on a good aftermarket intercooler.

I would reply to this thread and see if they can extend the pricing to you

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=614508

[ilikebmxbikes]

this seller has a stock intercooler for really cheap. I recently sold an item to them and can vouch they are good to deal with.

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=629621

[mike the snake]

Just lowered my deductable to $100. I shouldn't have been so cheap when buying insurance, the lower deductable was just a couple more bucks. Too late for these repairs, but I'm taking advantage in the future for sure.

That one intercooler looks SWEET! Tempting, but I've found that I'm not romping on my car as much as I was, and the power I have already is awesome, but still, it IS tempting.

[ilikebmxbikes]

Originally Posted by mike the snake

Just lowered my deductable to $100. I shouldn't have been so cheap when buying insurance, the lower deductable was just a couple more bucks. Too late for these repairs, but I'm taking advantage in the future for sure.

That one intercooler looks SWEET! Tempting, but I've found that I'm not romping on my car as much as I was, and the power I have already is awesome, but still, it IS tempting.

nice -


I still advise on passing the $450 stock used intercooler. You can get one for much less than that. I even have a stock one laying around I would sell for half that, located in SF. 20k miles on it, in good shape.

[mike the snake]

Thanks! I responded to the link that you posted, and I have a good, stock intercooler shipping tomorrow for $40! That's what I'm talking about! Thanks for the tip!

[1speedbike]

I'm on my phone so I can't really see the extent of the damage.. however if the damage is superficial and the core is okay, and if there is no leaking, then I'm fairly certain its okay to keep using until you save up for a bit for a new one, preferably a bigger, better quality, aftermarket one. Mine has various bent fins and pock marks from random debris, and the effect of a couple bent spots isn't too great. This is assuming there's no leaks and the core is fine.. there's a way to check for leaks outlined here-

http://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?t=260575

edit- just saw your post, oops haha. Disregard my comment :P

[mike the snake]

There's a hole about the size of a pencil eraser, which you can see in the pic where the vane meets the side case. It is the cause of the oil and dust collected on the intercooler.

[ilikebmxbikes]

Originally Posted by mike the snake

Thanks! I responded to the link that you posted, and I have a good, stock intercooler shipping tomorrow for $40! That's what I'm talking about! Thanks for the tip!

awesome. glad that worked out for you.