Like the title suggested, is it possible to remove to two heat exchangers? I replaced the gaskets on my lower valve covers last month (all the oil dripping) but didn't get a change to clean the heat exchanger right below it. I see the two holes underneath, is it ok to remove them or should I just clean them still attached.

thanks

 

You might want to just clean them as best you can with them still in place. It is possible to remove them, the two holes you mentioned are for two of the six nuts holding each exchanger to the engine. I think if you remove the exchanger you'd have to replace the nuts as well as the seals between the engine and the exchanger as well. IMHO, Unless you have some other reason to remove them like cleaning the SAI ports it's not worth removing them just to clean them off.

GC

 

Ok that makes a lot of sense, i'll definitely leave them on. Thanks!!

 

What do you do with heat exchanger in Florida :P

 

Remove and powder coat the headers!

 

Hmm, know how Darin has the ceramic coating option to reduce heat leak into the engine bay? Using a ceramic coating on the entire run including headers might be an interesting option.

 

With the mufflers off, you can clean most of the exchangers top and bottom sides without going thru the trouble of exchanger removal. Looks like someone's been busy

 

Looks perfect Kevin, but also my question... does Powder coating withstand the heat or is ceramic coating here more appropriate?

 

I did this 2-3 years ago.
It started to burn off the first 6 months after it was applied.
I believe the place that performed the powered coating did not do a very good job.

 

If they have been leaking for a while, I'd worry more about the oil that worked its way into the heat exchangers. If you do remove your heat exchangers, don't break a stud. Don't forget to apply anti-seize on the threads when reinstalling.

The insides of my heat exchangers were oily and layered with grime.

Sorry I don't have a "before" pic, but this is the end result after cleaning with Facto AT30 water based degreaser.

 

If you're taking the mufflers off you might want to check around behind the heat shields for any corrosion. I think it's been more of a problem for UK cars than the ones in the US but it doesn't hurt to check. The following thread has a description of the problem. https://rennlist.com/forums/993-foru...r-chassis.html
I seem to remember that there are a few DIY threads in this forum that show how to seal that area and prevent future issues as well.

GC