Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Turbo intercooler damage ??

[Zeke]

Hello TDR members ... ... this is my first post, so please excuse any errors on my part. I slammed into a deer at about 70 mph a couple weeks ago and incurred quite a bit of front end damage. The AC condensor was damaged and replaced. The intercooler brackets were bent , but with the condensor in the way I really couldn't tell if it was damaged. The repair shop says its ok but I need more reassurance. Is there a pressure test or some other way to tell if the intercooler is leaking ?? . Thanks ---- bob ... .

 

[McDowra]

Welcome to TDR. to answer your question yes it can be tested by any decent big truck shop. Never tried one but a good radiator shop might be able too.



Tim

 

[jerrethomas]

check with a rather well known raditor shop. the one by me does alot of car, and big truck raditors like recoring them and fixing them. stopped in the other day cause i know the owner and he had got big rubbers plug you put in and special gauge and stuff to test air to air coolers. so that's where i would start.

 

[RichB59]

Think about

changeing bumpers and any front end work you might want to do while it's apart. I had the same thing happen to me a year ago. I wish I had painted the ugly grey bumper insert or maybe replaced bumper with an aftermarket aluminum rig. It's just a good time to think about any possible changes you might want to do. LOL



Rich

 

[Cowboy Medic]

I had a deer encounter back in april and had the same concerns, lucky for me my brother is a diesel monkey out at the truck stop and he checked it out just like was suggested above and it was fine, they seem to be pretty sturdy. By the way that is the same time I went to a ranchhand bumper, much more protection now plus I love the looks. Wound up getting the new bumper for the same as what the body shop estimated for a factory replacement. There are alot of options out there ARB has a new one I really liked but I could get the ranchhand quicker and for less.



#ad

 

[BV]

Intercooler

Some folks have hit the hardware store (Home Depot for one) and made their own test kit with ABS pipe fittings. All you really need is a plug or cap for the outlet and some sort of cap/plug for the inlet that holds a pressure guage and a valve stem or schrader vavle to put air into.



You might want to do a search on this site and find the original post giving details.

 

[JBlock]

Try Ebay

There is a intercool for a dodge on ebay right now:



I bid on for fun at $10 did meet the reserve:



Has a buy it now option of $325, but maybe the reserve is a lot less



Go for it. ,



Intercooler from Dodge Turbo Diesel, LR!!!



http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1844828987