guys, need you thoughts on a few maintenance questions:

a) intercooler fins - i noticed i had some intercooler fins which had bits of leaves/bugs - eg the insects, stuck in them. i tried to remove some of them successfully. however, not all the fins are aligned, some have been bent. any remedies needed (for those bugs and bent intercooler fins) or just leave it alone? (ive left it alone for now as i doubt it will affect performance)

b) radiator fluid - any recommended brands for our rdx? or just your radiator fluids fm any store would do?

c) washer fluid - any recommended brands?

many thanks and great easter vryone!

 

hi guys, further to my other post - is this intercooler fin "unit" replaceable?

 

I used a regular home vacuum to suck up the bugs/trash on the intercooler once I removed the plastic cover. I didn't have any bent fins on the intercooler (yet). I imagine a few bent fins should be A-ok for the RDX. I think if 20%-30% of the fins were bent, then I would think about fixing or replacement of intercooler.

I was thinking about some type of mesh or screen to put between the intercooler and plastic cover to help catch some of the larger items that might clog or damage the intercool fins. I just haven't thought about what type of mesh/screen to use. It's not bug season yet in New Mexico.

I don't think there is a specific brand of radiator fluid needed or works better for the RDX. I like to change mine out every 2 years.

The same for washer fluid, I just pick the type that doesn't freeze on the windshield at 80 MPH in the winter like some of cheap ones can. I’ve tried the expensive wiper fluid like Rain-X or the bug remove stuff and saw no benefits. They smear the bug guts all over the windshield just like the other brands. I just put a windex bottle and paper towels in the back when I travel in high bug country and save using washer fluid for rain/dirt/dust/ice.

 

ALWAYS HONDA LONG LIFE TYPE 2 COOLANT!! cmon now.

 

Thanks... Mike any thoughts on my intercooler situation? Have you encountered the same? And are these parts easily replaceable like air filters? They seem to be so fragile for a car part. How important Are perfectli aligned intercooler fins anyhow? Thanks amigos...

 

the intercooler fins are extremely important. As far as trying to 'preserve' the fins....not sure how one could go about doing so without impeding the function of the cooler. The intercooler on the CX-7 is enclosed and not exposed like the RDX, but the CX-7 is also MUCH MUCH hotter than the RDX under the hood....i guess you could maybe inlay a very light screen under or over the plastic mesh, but again, im def not one to speculate on how that would effect the intercooler, not knowledgeable in that regard....i would think that if it HAD to have absolute protection, Acura would have designed it differently...

the fins will def get bent, as far as replacing them? you would have to replace the intercooler and that is by no means cheap or the way to approach dirt etc within the engine bay

 

thanks mike. any other thoughts on this? i guess for now ill leave it alone. stealerships might be the only way to go at one point, if ever.

i saw another post (ill bring it up again) on this and it does seem IMPOSSIBLE for fins not to be bent nor for bugs nor bits of leaves/rocks not to get stuck in them. i wont bother with any further protection other than try to use compressed air since it may cause more harm than good.

 

just an addendum, after much research, fins bending/tearing are not really that significant to affect performance whatsoever- of course, bending is to be avoided as much as possible.

just found it unusual that acura would allow little protection on such "brittle" material.

 

It's not really that it's brittle, it just has to be thin to allow for adequate cooling...you have to think of what it is... it's a heat exchanger.

I'd stay far, far away from any fine meshes (window screen type or anything even close) either over or under the plastic cover...it would definitely impede a LOT of airflow which would not be good for the engine. Have you ever felt a screen door in the wind? it still catches and restricts a lot of air...not good when your function is to cool by the passage of air.

...and if your planning on compressed air, i imagine that would be best from the bottom.

Subaru people have put large "diamond" type mesh into the hood scoops (at the entrance to the scoop, not at the intercooler end) for their top mount intercoolers..similar to what some peolpe use in grill openings. but thats to protect mainly against pebbles and larger debris..it'll at least slow it down. for bugs and the like, a gentle vaccuum is probably the best bet. Maybe a toothpick and some patience for any fins worth straightening.

 

i do toothpicks and very fine tweezers, but i really dont screw with the really hard to get stuff

 

I only mess with the really big bugs. This is the third TMIC vehicle we have had (we have a Subaru Forester XT and my previous vehicle was a WRX wagon), and I can tell you that the RDX gathers way less debris. I think it is the longer, curved path from the outside.

 

This is my first Turbo vehicle. I was thinking of a mesh that could catch larger items that might damage the fins, not restrict air flow, and let smaller items pass. The mesh would not have to cover the entire intercooler; I get most of my trash at the back of the intercooler close to the firewall.

My 06 TSX radiator fins are all dented up from sand, rocks and bug strikes. Even my windshield is all pitted up (so happy I got a clear bra!). Today the winds are going to hit 25-35 mph sustained with up to 45 mph gusts. New Mexico is not car friendly in the spring time.

Side note: Not my hands in pics

http://www.twpinc.com/twpinc/control...y_id=TWPCAT_12

4 Mesh Stainless Steel .047" Wire Dia. 48 Inches Wide



6 Mesh T304 Stainless .035" Wire Dia. 48 Inch Wide



8 Mesh T304 Stainless .028" Wire Dia. 36 Inch Wide

 

i really wouldnt screw around with something as critial as airflow to the engine

 

thanks mike, big hatch, brizey... yeah really hard to envision myself putting in a screen or whatever - ill keep it in its original state. tweezers were good - my wife helped me fix some of the fins (5-6 of them) - she's better on those things and i did compress air the minor bugs away eventually. fm now on, ill follow mike's tips as it seems the simplest.

 

a bit late but here's the acura reply to my question just as an FYI (see below)... essentially, my read is: "give your $ to the stealership" for them to unbend/clean your fins if you dunno how to do it... LOL - i wont be surprised if they use tweezers or "radiator combs" to fix the bent fins anyway. (i used tweezers in mine and they were a-ok) i agree on the radiator fluid - might a honda dealership might be cheaper with this? (i am hoping so). at least they were honest to allow us to buy any windshield fluid LOL.

[start of reply]
If the intercooler fins are not damaged you should not try to straighten the fins at all. If you have noticed a lot of leaves and bugs covering the fins, you should ask the dealership to clean them if the area in question has a considerable size; they should also be able to comment on the status of the fins.

You can purchase genuine Honda cooling fluid directly from the parts department at the dealership, and you can also use any commercially available windshield washer liquid for your 2010 RDX.
[end reply]

 

bumping up an old thread - the space underneath the bumper of our rdx has a huge gap exposing the radiator - what do you guys use to protect that part? are the pics here recommended for use? (eg. anyone tried them?) {ive left my intercoolers as is - more so after reading this thread}

 

Honda type II = blue

for use with aluminum blocks and should not contain silicates or borates which are harmful for seals...

 

Yea, I feel as if I can carefully fix bent fins with tweezers. I just hate the pebbles jammed deep in between some fins.