Cleaning Kia Sportage Turbo Intercooler and Intro about Oil Catch Can

I have been doing hands-on stuff to our workhorse 1998 Kia GrandSportage. Earlier this year the car had undergone a complete overhaul. Everything was cleaned but I noticed that the Turbo Intercooler wasn't. So did my research as to how to do this; if its safe and what not. Then I saw this video from Youtube where this fellow pinoy made baklas his Ford Everest Turbo Intercooler. So I thought if he did it to his 2-3 year old car then it should be safe for me to do it on my old friend.


While researching about other safe stuff I can do on the car, I came across Oil Catch Can. So what is Oil Catch Can? Its a device attached from the PCV (positive crankcase ventilation) that takes the excess oil released together by the released pressure from the engine.


So why bring up Oil Catch Can topic, I am not entirely sure but I see something the functions as an oil catch can but the outlet where its coming from doesn't seem to look like as a PCV. Here's the picture:)

yeah.. still looks dirty but I tell you they are already clean at this look!:)

So here are the steps in cleaning the Intercooler.


1. Loosen all hose clamps as illustrated below.

2. and logic will takeover to take other bolts holding down the intercooler in place.

At this point its also a good practice to cover the exposed parts of the turbo and the manifold intake, just to protect it from foreign materials in getting in.
3. Cleaning materials I used were: 1 Liter Gasoline; a can of Carb Cleaner/Engine Cleaner; Joy Dishwashing Detergent; Powder Detergent; paint brush and plenty of water

4. First in cleaning the intercoolet was just to clean it with dishwashing detergent a few times and rinse with running water. Perform this step a few times. You can also try using gasoline at this point then rinse.


5. After doing step 4 a few time; its now time to get rid of the stubborn oil inside. We now spray it with the Carb Cleaner or Engine Cleaner then just let the liquid get into the tubes of the intercooler. Repeat 4 then step 5 again.


6. Clean other parts that is connected to the intercooler. As for this post I have the ones below I also included:

7. We just have to install everything back in. Tighten hose clamps when everything is in place.


8. Goodluck with all the grease in your hands.


Disclaimer:
I am not in anyway to be blame whatever happens to your shirt:)