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View Full Version : HOW-TO: DIY Intercooler Water Sprayer


ChopstickHero
March 3rd, 2007, 02:03 AM
I want to give credit to my friend Calvin (TreeFiddy) from MOCC. He was the one who did it a while ago and inspired me to do it as well. He has a FMIC though, but pretty much it's the same thing.

Items required:
1 Protege washer pump (used one is cheapest) - $12 shipped from a MSprotege guy
1/4" black microtubing (comes in 50ft roll - Home Depot) - $2.99
10/32" thread 180° jet sprayer (comes in pack of 10 - Home Depot) - $2.67
Dremel (rotary tool)
20 ft of wire (16 or 18 gauge - Home Depot) - $3.60
3 Spade connectors (2 plug-type for the pump, 1 U-shape for a ground - Radio Shack)
Momentary push button switch (or switch of your choice - Radio Shack) - $2.50
The blank space holder beside your dimmer switch (free!)
Soldering iron and solder
Electrical tape
Industrial strength Velcro
Thick sticky tape
Basic hand tools

My total cost (because I had alot of the items already on the list): $25

Step 1: Take the blank space holder beside your dimmer switch out of your car. Depending on what type of switch you have, the hole size will be different. I got a push button momentary switch. This means that the contacts only connect when you push it and when you release, it will disconnect. I thought this was a better idea than a toggle switch, as you might accidentally leave the toggle on and either burn the washer pump or use up all the water in the reservoir. Anyways, using your rotary tool, drill about a 1/2" hole to fit the push button switch. Using the wire and soldering iron, solder the wires to the switch. Use electrical tape to tape them up good. Feed the wires through the space holder. I didn't need to use any adhesive to stick the switch to the space holder. It'll fit snugly if you didn't drill the hole too big.

http://images21.fotki.com/v515/photos/7/73230/4674892/IMG_8934-vi.jpg

http://images22.fotki.com/v519/photos/7/73230/4674892/IMG_8943-vi.jpg


Step 2: Remove the front bumper. If you don't know how, look it up in the Protege workshop manual.

Step 3: Remove the washer reservoir. Unclip the plug to the washer pump and unclip the wire holder. Take out the two 10mm bolts holding it in. Detach the washer fluid line that goes to the nozzle. It will start leaking so use a rag to prevent it from spilling everywhere.

http://images21.fotki.com/v515/photos/7/73230/4674892/IMG_8952-vi.jpg

Step 4: Empty the reservoir and then locate the marking for a hole in the spot for the other washer pump (how convenient!). The reservoir is actually the same as the Protege5 one, except the hole is not precut and no rear washer pump is present. You'll notice that the hole is already outlined. I drew it in with a Sharpie so that you can see it. Take your rotary tool and drill the reservoir (goodbye smiley face). Make sure you go rinse the shavings out of the reservoir after you finish shaping the hole. It's easier if you put the rubber grommets into the hole first. Lubricate the inside of the grommet with a little water and the washer pump will slide in easier. I decided to leave the original washer pump on the right and put the extra washer pump on the left (it doesn't really matter, but just so that it doesn't confuse you).

http://images21.fotki.com/v632/photos/7/73230/4674892/IMG_8959-vi.jpg

http://images14.fotki.com/v258/photos/7/73230/4674892/IMG_8961-vi.jpg

http://images22.fotki.com/v519/photos/7/73230/4674892/IMG_8962-vi.jpg

Step 5: Now, go to your cabin and feed the wires through the hole. Cut one of the wires leaving about a foot of wire or so. Find a 12V source power wire and splice it into that. Feed the other long wire (you'll need about 8 ft) through the firewall grommet and along the back of the engine (on the firewall), down the passenger side and to the washer pump.

http://images22.fotki.com/v518/photos/7/73230/4674892/IMG_8963-vi.jpg

http://images22.fotki.com/v519/photos/7/73230/4674892/IMG_8995-vi.jpg

Step 6: Bolt the washer reservoir back into its original location. Put a plug-type spade on the end of the wire that you fed through the firewall. The spade will fit exactly onto the washer pump terminal (don't know exact size, but it's the spade with the red boot that you can get at Home Depot). Use a shorter piece of wire and connect two spades to it - a plug type spade and a U-shape spade. The plug-type end will go over the remaining terminal on the washer pump, and the other to a ground. Look under your headlight, there is a series of grounds there. I unbolted it and used that as a ground. As you can see, I taped my spade connectors up with electrical tape (the pump on the left).

http://images21.fotki.com/v631/photos/7/73230/4674892/IMG_8978-vi.jpg


Step 7: Plug the original washer pump tube and harness back. Take the roll of black microtubing and cut about 6 ft of it. Don't worry if you mess up, you have 44 ft left. Connect one end to the washer on the left hand side. Then feed the tubing through one of the holes in the support. Run the tubing under your headlight and straight across the bumper reinforcement. Twist the jet sprayer into the microtubing. Make sure the jet sprayer is pointed directly at the SMIC (or FMIC). Clean the reinforcement and use the Velcro or sticky tape to hold the tubing in place. I taped the tubing to the reinforcement bumper in several areas so that there was little/no chance of it ever falling out. Fill the reservoir with some water so that you can test it out. I found it hard to see AND adjust it because I was by myself. If you have a friend helping you, one person can press the button and one can see the spray pattern better to make adjustments. Test it out and you will see that the SMIC is pretty much soaked after a few seconds.

http://images22.fotki.com/v520/photos/7/73230/4674892/IMG_8985-vi.jpg

http://images21.fotki.com/v578/photos/7/73230/4674892/IMG_8993-vi.jpg

Step 8: Make sure you didn't leave any tools in the working area. Install the front bumper back onto the car. Take car for test drive. :)

Conclusions/impressions: In theory, while driving, the water should help cool down the SMIC. Not sure to what extent, but anything would help on a hot day. I also bought a 360° mister nozzle, but the spray pattern was all wrong and it didn't work that well. I suspect the washer pump doesn't provide enough pressure to create a finer mist. I will update when some testing is done.

viper_707
March 3rd, 2007, 01:36 PM
video video video

Pro2nr
March 4th, 2007, 12:14 AM
wow. pretty cool.

burlingtonprotege
March 4th, 2007, 10:24 PM
your a brave brave man. an not to mention skilled.

Spyder01
March 4th, 2007, 10:37 PM
Fai had something like this installed too... but its no longer in use since he got the FMIC. But he used another container in his trunk and ran the lines through the cabin to the front.

http://img253.imageshack.us/img253/8779/1000479xb8.jpg

Mike_Moss
March 4th, 2007, 11:14 PM
hawt pics.

This is what I was talking about in that other thread.

MS MSP
March 7th, 2007, 02:14 PM
coolio.
I would prefer to use another reservoir too seeing how I don't think spraying washer fluid on my SMIC would be the best idea.

Logan
March 7th, 2007, 02:50 PM
why not?
It's not going to hurt anything.
Also, in the winter, you probably don't need to cool your IC down. And in the summer, you can use water in the resevoir because you're not likely going to see sub zero temps.

Mike_Moss
March 7th, 2007, 10:25 PM
^ My point exactly. And ice cubes will be easily packed into the washer reservoir. ;)

I am doing this for sure this summer! It's so cheap I can't NOT do it!

superdave
March 7th, 2007, 10:33 PM
^ My point exactly. And ice cubes will be easily packed into the washer reservoir. ;)

I am doing this for sure this summer! It's so cheap I can't NOT do it!

The only thing I see that will stop you from doing this: laziness. ;)

ChopstickHero
March 7th, 2007, 10:40 PM
actually, windshield washer fluid has some alcohol in it to help it evaporate faster. in the summer, you don't need full strength of the fluid anyways. you can dilute it and run like 10 parts water, 1 part fluid. right now i'm running all water. it hasn't been that hot anyways. so i can't really tell a difference. maybe when it gets hotter, i'll have a different impression.

Mike_Moss
March 8th, 2007, 10:17 AM
The only thing I see that will stop you from doing this: laziness. ;)Touché!

ChopstickHero
March 8th, 2007, 12:04 PM
Touché!

lol, it's really easy to do. i bet you can do it in your sleep!

Mike_Moss
March 8th, 2007, 01:44 PM
Sleeping while working on cars don't mix. Trust me. ;)

CrazyCaker
March 8th, 2007, 02:03 PM
cool, but I'd prefer to use a seperate reservoir as well. I might consider this, although I honestly don't see it making much of an improvement since the water would only be slightly cooler then outside temps (like a pool basically, maybe even higher since it is under the hood). And the only time I could see this as even semi useful would be stuck in traffic, but then again there wouldn't be a need because obviously I'm not going where! Hmmmm..........

Mike_Moss
March 8th, 2007, 02:06 PM
I'd probably only use it at the drag strip during staging and I'd load up the reservoir with ice and fill the rest with water.

(Not sure of the legalities of that though since I remember a rule about no dripping fluids...but I think that's only at the line.)

CrazyCaker
March 8th, 2007, 02:11 PM
Well after doing a quick research on this, I found the REAL benefit of an IC sprayer is evaporation. It is evaporation that causes the cooling effect that is wanted on the IC. With this in mind, I would assume that you do not want washer fluid sprayed on the IC since it would evaporate at a reduced rate.

Logan
March 8th, 2007, 02:11 PM
you should rig the switch to come on at WOT.

Mike_Moss
March 8th, 2007, 02:18 PM
Well after doing a quick research on this, I found the REAL benefit of an IC sprayer is evaporation. It is evaporation that causes the cooling effect that is wanted on the IC. With this in mind, I would assume that you do not want washer fluid sprayed on the IC since it would evaporate at a reduced rate.Cool, so use rubbing alcohol.

But again, I don't think spraying ice-cold water at an intercooler would be worse than nothing...and nothing is what I'd do on the cheap.

If I were serious about this I'd do CO2.

Mike_Moss
March 8th, 2007, 02:19 PM
you should rig the switch to come on at WOT.
How 'bout rigging up the system above each tire to cool down R-compound tires? ;)

Just a short blast at rolling speeds would coat the entire tire and presto, reduced tire temps! :)

CrazyCaker
March 8th, 2007, 02:23 PM
If I were serious about this I'd do CO2.

w3rd. I'm sure a trip to Princess Auto could result in a home made verison that'll work with that.

ChopstickHero
March 8th, 2007, 02:36 PM
Well after doing a quick research on this, I found the REAL benefit of an IC sprayer is evaporation. It is evaporation that causes the cooling effect that is wanted on the IC. With this in mind, I would assume that you do not want washer fluid sprayed on the IC since it would evaporate at a reduced rate.

washer fluid has alcohol in it, it should technically evaporate even faster than water. especially when you are driving and the wind flowing through the grill. but of course, water is free and washer fluid costs money. :D

it obviously doesn't reach anywhere close to freezing here, so running water is fine for me. actually i've only filled up the washer reservoir once since i got the car. lol

Logan
March 8th, 2007, 02:37 PM
Well after doing a quick research on this, I found the REAL benefit of an IC sprayer is evaporation. It is evaporation that causes the cooling effect that is wanted on the IC. With this in mind, I would assume that you do not want washer fluid sprayed on the IC since it would evaporate at a reduced rate.

to elaborate...
This effect is the conversion of the stored heat energy in the metal intercooler into the water which causes it to evaporate. The more water or alcohol or whatever is going to absorb more of the heat energy. If the water is cooler (iced) it absorbs more of the heat energy before it evaporates.

Spyder01
March 8th, 2007, 02:37 PM
Use acetone

ChopstickHero
March 8th, 2007, 02:38 PM
to elaborate...
This effect is the conversion of the stored heat energy in the metal intercooler into the water which causes it to evaporate. The more water or alcohol or whatever is going to absorb more of the heat energy. If the water is cooler (iced) it absorbs more of the heat energy before it evaporates.

give this guy a cookie

ChopstickHero
March 8th, 2007, 02:39 PM
Use acetone
umm.. i dunno about using pure acetone. but diluting it like 1:10 in water might be ok.

Mike_Moss
March 8th, 2007, 02:43 PM
I'm still against using washer fluid. I would only use this during the warm summer months and thus use water only.

The point of the system is to be cheap. Using washer fluid defeats that.

Logan
March 8th, 2007, 02:50 PM
give this guy a cookie
chocolate chip please!

ChopstickHero
March 8th, 2007, 02:52 PM
The point of the system is to be cheap. Using washer fluid defeats that.

yeah, totally!

I'm not sure i can put ice in my reservoir tank. Mine has some pink foam floating in there. it's so that when its about full, it'll rise and stop. so i can't even fit ice cubes in there unless i chop them up. my old P5 didn't have that foam thing blocking the tube.

CrazyCaker
March 8th, 2007, 03:17 PM
Liquid nitrogen would work too.

Spyder01
March 8th, 2007, 03:25 PM
Liquid nitrogen would work too.

lol but how will you carry it? The tank will be adding a lot of weight.

CrazyCaker
March 8th, 2007, 03:26 PM
^ Bah... how cares about weight, as long as the IC is cold as ***k!! :p

ChopstickHero
March 8th, 2007, 03:27 PM
Liquid nitrogen would work too.

lol, sure. that would work sweet. your temp meter would actually move down!

CrazyCaker
March 8th, 2007, 03:42 PM
^ yeah man, just spray the entire engine bay!

MS MSP
March 8th, 2007, 03:52 PM
I'm still against using washer fluid. I would only use this during the warm summer months and thus use water only.

The point of the system is to be cheap. Using washer fluid defeats that.

That's all I meant by my earlier statement

Rain-X is like $4/jug!

Running just water smears the bug death (not that bug death ever stays on my car for more than a day anyway).

Mike_Moss
March 8th, 2007, 11:33 PM
I've never actually run just water, but if I had the same experience as you (smearing and poor cleaning) then I'd just mix in some soap...maybe get creative with some household products and such.

Or if I was REALLY frugal, I'd swap the fluid out for water when heading to the track.

drey
March 13th, 2007, 11:45 AM
nice work mikey :p

Spin_E!
June 26th, 2007, 01:33 PM
Okay so I wanted to try this and made my attempt on the weekend. I actually have a front mount on my car so I just used a boost T and split the line over the intercooler and used two jets instead of one. I wanted to use a second resevoir so I pulled one out of a 92 Tempo because its quite a bit longer and just a box shape so it would be easier for mounting.

Absolutely everything went great BUT..... I can't keep the water in the resevoir!!! I fill it up and push the buttom a couple of times... sprays no problem but then it seems to create a vacuum in the resevoir and just keeps pissing the water out of the jets until its empty.

I tried fixing this using a check valve that I grabbed out of a mazda brake booster line and that worked while the car was not moving but as soon as your driving it starts to leak out of the jets again!!!

How am I going to fix this.... I really don't want to scrap the sprayer because it was a bit of work ripping the entire front end off of the car and it works perfectly while theres water in the bottle.

WHAT NOW!?!?!?!??!?!?!?!?!?!

Is there something I'm missing? Why is it just draining the entire bottle?

If I place a second check valve in that line does anyone think that would work.