How to fix bent intercooler fins

Fixing bent intercooler fins on 2009 STI intercooler

[@TriniRogue]

Could just be me but the lil plink plink plink noise it makes is quite satisfying.

[@fernandoratag]

TriniRogue yesss

[@FkNSRS]

agreed

[@rebel1860lee]

Yes..yes it is, i use this video to calm the baby to sleep with..but something that you should do too your car too

[@jonathanfairchild]

@@rebel1860lee that is the most car dad thing I’ve heard in a while 😂

[@Revy]

don't be sorry man, this video is what I needed. Thank you

[@KDD8]

Because he's the hero the internet deserves, but not the one it needs right now. So we'll hunt him. Because he can take it. Because he's not our hero. He's a silent guardian, a watchful protector. Our intercooler DIY fix it guy.

[@dajakaal]

Cool bro, another method with a common tool, cheers from NZ.

[@megatronmax14]

They say time is money. So I guess, money is time! You just saved me from spending an extra $200 on a F30 BMW 328i intercooler! Thank you! Was gonna buy a new one vs a used part with a few bent pins. 5 minutes of learning a new technique= $200 in my pocket!! WIN WIN situation. Thanks for sharing your knowledge with us!

[@greganson3627]

+Wilton Guzman Awesome, glad it helped!

[@RemoteExplode]

+Greg Anson Totally! -Plus it was totally hypnotizing.. - I went from Stressed out, to Did I just smoke a 'now-legal-substance' ? Lol Seriously.. -Thanks for this. -Amazing job, BTW, Too!... The repaired ones look like new! :) Cheers!

[@vickg]

Wilton Guzman so I'm assuming you were able to get them back to normal ? I accidently pointed the pressure washer through the front grill and bending a few ... let me know.

[@motomike007-1]

Not only did you save me money bubba you got me back on track with my project. Great job!!!

[@en3rgy187]

Dude, you are AWESOME! This video is a HUGE contribution to us Subi fans. Thank you so much.

[@PfunkNH]

HEY HEY HEY! Saabs too lol

[@bimjenning6962]

@@PfunkNHSaabaru*

[@PfunkNH]

@@bimjenning6962 Ya....... you're not wrong atleast for the early 2000's. I blew up my 02 saab 9-5 aero. looked into the 9-3x as a next car but they are just beat to hell. Thats the sti saabaru

[@andrewwhittaker7500]

Video was exactly what I needed for a newbie to the turbo world. Thanks bud!

[@emlix1]

In 2012 I bought an Evo X, and one of the first things I did was to flatten 99% of the intercooler fins with a high pressure hose because I had no idea how delicate they were. Recently I spent around AUD$15k on an engine rebuild just in time for some idiot to reverse his land cruiser into me and cause some minor damage to the left front. The repairer has gone above and beyond, and scored me a lot of parts I didn't really need, including a new intercooler with an uprated core. I'm looking forward to seeing how much power I was missing out on because of the flattened fins! Great vid BTW, thanks.

[@paulstingel7042]

Don't apologise mate I was going to buy a new intercooler for my wrx so you just saved me money 👍

[@jasonsharp249]

Did this for my STI intercooler today. It was really time consuming but damn it looks brand new afterwards

[@shreader327]

This is actually very satisfying to watch!

[@templetonpeck393]

Never thought I'd be glad to have a classic with a smaller intercooler.

[@pharo6292]

Thank you for this video , just fixed beaten intercooler fins from an evo x . I also used a tooth pick to straighten some of the fins. Saved me money . Thanks champ

[@joerobertson3478]

Here's a tip: I ground down and sanded smooth about a 1/2" in length on the back of both tweezer arms at the pinching tip. It thinned the arms and allowed me to get in between the fins much easier without disturbing good fins. Thanks for the video tip.

[@greganson3627]

Great idea

[@antitheist7453]

watching the video was far more interesting than doing the job, took me 2 hours and my eyes are still crossed

[@darwinplett8408]

This tool is so much smarter and better then a screw driver that people talk about.

[@errolwong5044]

Don't be sorry! This video still helps in 2022.

[@dontsuckjp]

Watched simply to feel like I’m not suffering alone

[@greganson3627]

Hey man you okay?

[@dontsuckjp]

@@greganson3627 dealing with smashed fins on my Twin turbo legacy intercooler. So other than that, fine and dandy

[@ditertovar3143]

Liked & Subscribed. Had NO clue how to make mine more efficient. Thank you 🙏🏽

[@jackreed3756]

Yeah, thank you! So simple and boring, yet so very helpful and therapeutic! I can't wait to get my fins straightened! Though I guess I am gonna have to wait, but when the task is completed it will be very rewarding. Thx again!

[@Alexwaltman850]

This video is exactly what I needed. Wasn't sure if trying the salvage both of my RX-8's oil coolers for it's LS swap was worth it or it I should just buy new coolers.

[@enj5932]

I seen some sti have a screen to for the TMIC ....you know if there is 1 for the 2015+ wrx? and are they efficient enough to to prevent bent fins?

[@eddiebv1983]

Freaking love the video. I was considering buying a new IC for my Acura. You just saved me a few hundred bucks. Looks very satisfying too.

[@noshan.s1336]

Exactly what I was looking for 👌🏼👌🏼

[@steppyd28]

not bored. satisfied by the instructions and the little *tink* noise for 5m🫠 thanks for the video!

[@oliverstutz7828]

Great technique with the tweezers, was wondering how I was going to do mine on my bike! Thanks!!

[@JoeFidler]

Does it work “like new” when you’re done?

[@doc_ds]

Bro the heads up at the beginning made me think " I'm gonna take a nap then..." Now I'm interested 😂 fake advertising at its best 😂😂. Subbed

[@c0ldbl00dedkiller]

Thanks for the tips man. Last one i tried to fix bent the hell out of them and broke some off with a screw driver haha!

[@bobbyching6008]

Great video! May I ask what item is that you are using?

[@seanb9698]

To straighten the fins? It's tweezers

[@bobbyching6008]

@@seanb9698 thanks man!

[@Legoweapond]

Great thanks for this, I was about to buy a new intercooler just because my old one looked bad with these bent fins, wasn't great for spraying on the STi with an STi-stencil.

[@guitarfpv]

thanks just bought a gc8 sti tmic and it needs this done to it, Ive been tough by another subie owner... bonus!

[@ronsmith647]

Thanks for the video great technique works well. Saved me from buying a new intercooler.

[@nicolej8898]

Greg- I have a question. I took apart my air conditioner last night in a crazed and frantic need to get out all the dust, grime and filth that had collected inside the unit over the past couple years. Of course, not even thinking, I just wiped off the fins by running a clorox cloth with the grain of the board. In other words, the condenser fins on my unit are now flat as a board. Do you think I can repair these or are completely flat fins beyond help and I just ruined a perfectly good air conditioner? keep in mind I'm also fairly OCD and love any job that includes tweezers

[@greganson3627]

I doubt you've done any real damage...may have lost some efficiency but probably not enough to warrant a replacement.

[@zhivago1955]

A before and after photo view would have been beneficial. Anyhow, THX for your remedy.

[@CharlesHess]

I tried using small needle nose pliers and.... no. I'll try the tweezers now. Thanks.

[@3runhariz]

1:34 it's also how you alleviate itchy nuts.

[@robertt65250]

beats the hell outta buying a new radiator. save several hundred dollars doing this. also works well with airconditioner fins on window units

[@fishingdude8212]

I have a top mounted intercooler (hood scoop).. And i am wondering if the fins get a lot weaker by straightening them? :) Is it something i can do to prevent them from bending again? Sorry for horseshit English..

[@greganson3627]

They do seem a bit softer after straightening but I'm not sure it's going to make a meaningful impact to longevity.

[@fishingdude8212]

@@greganson3627 thank you for answering:)

[@KINGREED-NYC]

could I use a vacuum to get out little rocks and bugs???

[@jocboii793]

I did the same thing. When it really bad. If it work able I usually use the fin comb but if it really bad a ravor works just as well

[@KINGREED-NYC]

no time wasted....good video..thanks I will try ..o have a few bent fins..not too many

[@bannett1]

Man...that was superb...thx for sharing

[@dragnet11]

Great Video. Thanks

[@LungKhan]

great video :) what happens if we accidentaly tear one of these fins?

[@greganson3627]

+João Domingues No worries, the pressure is sealed within the tubes and the fins are only radiating heat between the tubes. if you rip one it won't impact anything. You can try and push it back down to make it aesthetically pleasing, or just pull it off.

[@LungKhan]

+Greg Anson thank you for the quick response :) im applying it tomorrow, cleaned and fixed :) it looks way better and like new

[@chrishnastewart9410]

Thanks you man its really helps

[@hackn3y199]

LOL, looks theraputic and fulfilling

[@johnsantana6943]

Just bought a used Garrett turbo from a friend so I gotta fix it and clean it and the pipes with acetone, This is gonna be a long week lol.

[@kenyatasims6991]

What if only like 8 or 9 are bent will that be a problem?

[@greganson3627]

Naw....you'd need something like what I started with where all of them were bent and impeding airflow significantly. I never got logs before or after to truly quantify the difference in temps so take my theory with a grain of salt...but I highly doubt there would be any major impact in that case aside from visual.

[@kenyatasims6991]

@@greganson3627 ok sounds good thanks for advice 👍

[@IsraelitesUnited]

Does any one know what those clip plier are called as I’m trying to buy them to do my intercooler but I don’t know what they are called

[@TheEckoEcho]

it was worth the watch

[@bangkittrianto2158]

thanks brother IT WORKS!!!!

[@MrMAZINGERZ74]

Hmm this works better than a screw driver and pull

[@oronicofuenmayor9378]

Tnx for the vd man 💯

[@G_ROD11]

Haha first comment, and you did not waste anyone's time great work btw, its very tedious if there badly damaged tho!!!....

[@bsextremesports]

Niceeee 🤘🤘 bent the fins on my ktm and I'll just do this lol! Thanks

[@0xbitbybit]

Haha dude cheer up or you'll have a big black fringe down over your face and emo grass, because it cuts itself. It's a great vid, people WANT to see how this is done. Not like putting this video on is a CIA torture method or anything :)

[@Mr_George340]

Amazing!

[@ja-no6fx]

this ivdeo is fucking awesome

[@nova12332]

lol "thanks for uhh letting me waste your time"

[@goodhumourwagon]

" the most boring video.... of ALL TIME....! " Lmao

[@JohnnyGlad96]

good shit

[@TheSharkcookie]

mine is bent really bad. Do you want to come over and do mine as well? LOL

[@muhamadrafiuddinn2905]

Thanks

[@403speed]

I was just about to use pliers. I’ll use tweasers instead😂

[@ivonleeiv5901]

Therapeutic

[@tagmandbagm]

Yup...very boring.lol. But thanks for the idea of using tweezers.

[@gulkhair7169]

I am radeitor works Pakistan Quetta

[@JoJo-zg7ow]

They make intercooler combs dummy lol

[@VelocityLabs]

Good video, thanks!