Intercooler fluid level
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,310
Likes: 93
From: Hager City WI
Intercooler fluid level
Hey guys,
Can someone please tell me if this is normal for the factory intercooler reservoir tank? It sure looks like this is low to me, but I can't top off the system any more than I already have. Just making sure that I don't have air in the lines.
Thanks!
Can someone please tell me if this is normal for the factory intercooler reservoir tank? It sure looks like this is low to me, but I can't top off the system any more than I already have. Just making sure that I don't have air in the lines.
Thanks!
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,509
Likes: 107
PICS included
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,310
Likes: 93
From: Hager City WI
Thanks guys!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,310
Likes: 93
From: Hager City WI
What other performance mods do you have? What has your car run at the drag strip?
I'm trying to rule each possible thing out as to why my car performed so poorly at the drag strip a few weeks ago.
Thanks!
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,310
Likes: 93
From: Hager City WI
I previously ran several 10.77 at 128 and 130 respectively with the Halltech (and nothing else besides DR's) in 82 degree heat (2300 DA). I installed the expansion tank and the weather got significantly better (zero DA) and my times with the exact same 1.62 60' fell to 11.0 at 122-123! I'm not saying it is the tank for sure, but I'm learning that air in the intercooler system can be bad. Trying to figure out why I didn't run better in perfect conditions? Very frustrating. I'm ready to sell the tank, but I hate to do that if it's not the problem. I'm trying to get it on a dyno next week so I can actually data log what is going on.
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Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 368
Likes: 99
Thanks man. I appreciate your concern.
I previously ran several 10.77 at 128 and 130 respectively with the Halltech (and nothing else besides DR's) in 82 degree heat (2300 DA). I installed the expansion tank and the weather got significantly better (zero DA) and my times with the exact same 1.62 60' fell to 11.0 at 122-123! I'm not saying it is the tank for sure, but I'm learning that air in the intercooler system can be bad. Trying to figure out why I didn't run better in perfect conditions? Very frustrating. I'm ready to sell the tank, but I hate to do that if it's not the problem. I'm trying to get it on a dyno next week so I can actually data log what is going on.
I previously ran several 10.77 at 128 and 130 respectively with the Halltech (and nothing else besides DR's) in 82 degree heat (2300 DA). I installed the expansion tank and the weather got significantly better (zero DA) and my times with the exact same 1.62 60' fell to 11.0 at 122-123! I'm not saying it is the tank for sure, but I'm learning that air in the intercooler system can be bad. Trying to figure out why I didn't run better in perfect conditions? Very frustrating. I'm ready to sell the tank, but I hate to do that if it's not the problem. I'm trying to get it on a dyno next week so I can actually data log what is going on.
I doubt it is the expansion tank that should eliminate any air in the IC system since it is now at a higher location. I wonder if it would be better to do away with the factory reservoir and develop a larger top mount expansion tank. That should increase the head pressure across the heat ex-changer and IC cores and purge all air back to the tank instantly. Just my 2 cents.
Have you tried letting the car idle with the expansion tank lid off to view the circulation on the return side?
Racer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 368
Likes: 99
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,310
Likes: 93
From: Hager City WI
Data logging is definitely your best bet.
I doubt it is the expansion tank that should eliminate any air in the IC system since it is now at a higher location. I wonder if it would be better to do away with the factory reservoir and develop a larger top mount expansion tank. That should increase the head pressure across the heat ex-changer and IC cores and purge all air back to the tank instantly. Just my 2 cents.
Have you tried letting the car idle with the expansion tank lid off to view the circulation on the return side?
I doubt it is the expansion tank that should eliminate any air in the IC system since it is now at a higher location. I wonder if it would be better to do away with the factory reservoir and develop a larger top mount expansion tank. That should increase the head pressure across the heat ex-changer and IC cores and purge all air back to the tank instantly. Just my 2 cents.
Have you tried letting the car idle with the expansion tank lid off to view the circulation on the return side?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,310
Likes: 93
From: Hager City WI
I just had a nice conversation with Joe Granatelli. What a class act! We agreed that there "could" be something to this air in my intercooler. Since my stock tank is so much lower than everyone else AND mine (expansion tank) foams/bubbles when running. I am going to get it vacuum-filled next Friday by a local shop. At nothing else, I would like to rule out this being the cause for my poor times at the track the past few weeks. Thanks again, Joe!
To be clear, my intent from this thread was never to bash the expansion tank, I am only trying to figure out what is going on with my car. I thought others might want to know. This car is proving to be quite tricky and I need all the help that I can get.
Another quick update. I did not notice any difference in the stock (tank) fluid level from when it was cold to even after driving it around for 30 minutes over lunch today.
To be clear, my intent from this thread was never to bash the expansion tank, I am only trying to figure out what is going on with my car. I thought others might want to know. This car is proving to be quite tricky and I need all the help that I can get.
Another quick update. I did not notice any difference in the stock (tank) fluid level from when it was cold to even after driving it around for 30 minutes over lunch today.
Last edited by 1QUICK Z; Oct 22, 2015 at 02:33 PM.