intercooler difficulties

[bfrancis827]

Today I attempted to install an oil temperature sensor at the oil galley plug spot under the intercooler. I took the intercooler off and it took a while to find the plug, but I found it, hiding under an entanglement of different tubing. It's almost impossible to get to it! I ended up just leaving it there because I could probably have gotten the plug out but I don't think I could have gotten either the plug or the sensor back in. So I started putting the car back together. This is where I was having trouble. I have taken the intercooler off once before and it was a B***** to get back on. I had some help that time so it wasn't as bad as this last time when I was trying to put it back on by myself. I think it must have taken me almost an hour to get the freakin thing back on. There is just NO room to move it around. The hardest part is getting the red turbo inlet tube thingy over the turbo without it folding inwards. Are there any tricks to easily install the intercooler????

Is this what it's supposed to look like? j/k

http://ims.hspn.com/pic.php?u=246C584L&i=3890

[sebhockey]

Ya, reinstalling the TMIC is a PITA, there really aren't any tricks. I like to install the ducting on the turbo inself first otherwise it's a pain to get that one on. It really is helpful to do with 2 people, but if you're really patient you can do it by yourself.

Did you finally get it on right?

[bfrancis827]

Yes, but it took a long time.:pissed:

I need my own service crew!

[sebhockey]

Well if ya need help and I'm in port you can always come out to the bay area and I'll give ya a hand wrenching.

[bfrancis827]

Cool. I wonder if I can still get on post even though my ID expired 2 months ago?

[sebhockey]

Cool. I wonder if I can still get on post even though my ID expired 2 months ago?

If it expired no, but I can still get ya on. I've gotten Jon in there before.

[strat]

what i normally do on the wrx is get the inlet on the turbo and clamp that down so it doesn't pop back off when trying to get the tb coupling on. works pretty well...

[bfrancis827]

^thats what I did to. its just so difficult to get that first hose on.

[JacksonRally]

I've been taking my intercooler off alot lately and what I do is I try to get the hose started on the turbo then turn/pull it into the large black hose on the throttle body. Now the trick is to leave the black hose on the throttle body and bring the intercooler to it. I used to leave it on the intercooler and that was a PITA. I know STI's have alot less room but it still make it a little easier.


Always late but worth the wait. Try it next time :D

[bfrancis827]

Yeah, I did leave the black hose on the throttle body, but I think it's just to cramped with the STI intercooler. Both times I have reinstalled it I have had to use a screw driver on the hose that connects to the turbo. I thought I was going to break through the freaking thing but eventually it slipped on there.