intercooler questions

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90gt
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intercooler questions

Post by 90gt »

I have a 90 legacy with the ej20g from japan.

Question 1:
I got the car running but it has an intercooler light on. is this because the intercooler is low on fluid? what would cause the light to be on?

Question 2:
Ive never owned a turbo car before, i got 50/50 premixed coolant from subaru, how full is the intercooler supposed to be? do i fill it until it comes out the cap? I attached a picture of what the intercooler looks like.

Thanks,
90GT.

Image
carfreak85
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Re: intercooler questions

Post by carfreak85 »

Do NOT put antifreeze in the intercooler. It should take DISTILLED water ONLY.
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90gt
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Re: intercooler questions

Post by 90gt »

Thank you for the advice, luckily i never poured any in yet. went and bought some distilled water instead. do i just fill it up to the cap?
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Re: intercooler questions

Post by jefferson »

What is the reason for no antifreeze? What do you do in the winter?
91 Black SS 5spd. Edm lights, wrx gauges in dash, 45 degree airbox, cryoed drilled and slotted brakes. Invidia divorced downpipe with custom stainless exhaust. To be installed, aluminum a-arms, manual belts, awic.
carfreak85
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Re: intercooler questions

Post by carfreak85 »

Not sure what the winter procedures are, I don't have a AWIC, or any of the service documentation. I would want to review what Subaru says to do before just dumping whatever into the system. If the OP lives in North America, its summer, so he should be OK for a few months at least.

Find out what Subaru recommends.
1975 Superstar Wagon
1984 GL-10 Turbo-Traction Wagon & Hardtop
1987 & '87.5 RX coupes
1987 RX Type-RA
2002 WRX sedan
2019 Outback 2.5i Limited
Legacy777
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Re: intercooler questions

Post by Legacy777 »

You can put antifreeze in the intercooler. You want some antifreeze in there so you have some freeze protection and if that's not the reason you want some in there to prevent microbial growth.

I run about a 30% antifreeze mix with distilled water.
Josh

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James614
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Re: intercooler questions

Post by James614 »

Yeah I never heard of the no antifreeze thing. I'd really like to know if there's anything behind that. I have the AWIC with about 25% mixture.
93 Touring Wagon (EJ20G 5spd Swap) -- Finally back and running strong as ever!

05 Outback 2.5XT 5spd -- Now the wife can have her SUV and get in on the turbo Legacy goodness at the same time.
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Re: intercooler questions

Post by carfreak85 »

James614 wrote:Yeah I never heard of the no antifreeze thing. I'd really like to know if there's anything behind that. I have the AWIC with about 25% mixture.
That came from my knowledge of the STI IC water sprayer system. Distilled water only, required to drain if operating in freezing temperatures.
1975 Superstar Wagon
1984 GL-10 Turbo-Traction Wagon & Hardtop
1987 & '87.5 RX coupes
1987 RX Type-RA
2002 WRX sedan
2019 Outback 2.5i Limited
James614
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Re: intercooler questions

Post by James614 »

carfreak85 wrote: That came from my knowledge of the STI IC water sprayer system. Distilled water only, required to drain if operating in freezing temperatures.
Its definitely not comparable to an IC spray system. RS Liberty Club has the 92 service manual uploaded, but it curiously doesn't list the specific fluid. It generically refers to it as coolant. http://www.rslibertyclub.org/forums/sho ... l-Complete (maybe someone else can find it).

The users there seem to generally recommend 25-33% antifreeze mix or, distilled water with an agent like Redline Water Wetter or similar for corrosion protection. I'd trust them as they got the AWIC-equipped cars domestically.
93 Touring Wagon (EJ20G 5spd Swap) -- Finally back and running strong as ever!

05 Outback 2.5XT 5spd -- Now the wife can have her SUV and get in on the turbo Legacy goodness at the same time.
subiedoutlegacy
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Re: intercooler questions

Post by subiedoutlegacy »

Ever get the light sorted? I am curious haha.
Also very jealous of the car (I need that front bumper :lol: )
91 Mica Ruby Legacy Sport 550 Robtune
94 White Pearl Legacy L SOLD
04 San Remo Red Impreza WRX
04 Java Black Pearl Impreza STI
94 Crimson Pearl Legacy Sport Partout
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