What's all that white gibberish crap? Do I need to paste up the bracket/heat extractor again when installing a new ICM?

 

Heat transfer compound.

While you're at it, you might want to reduce the heat exposure on the module:

http://shbox.com/1/4th_gen_tech2.html#ICM_cooling

 

[edit] Fred beat me to it.


I believe it's just di-electric grease. I cleaned it off, then applied some more for reassembly.


(-this is not the same as silicone heat transfer compound. If that's what it is supposed to have, then that's what I'd use. Though, I've had no problems using dielectric grease).

 

I don't think di-electric and heat sink grease are the same. Heat sink grease commonly has metallic particles in it to aid in heat transfer. Di-electric has the opposite characteristics in that it is designed not to have electrically conductive properties.

 

The same type of grease is used between CPUs and cooling fans in computers. Might wanna try a computer shop.

 

lol, OK, what should I buy then? I plan on using washers and already have the studs/washers mounted to the head. Thanks guys.

 

Yea, I guess I did notice that it was pretty similar to the stuff on them, when I took apart a heat sink on a processor.

 

While we are on the topic, is it necessary for the ICM to be grounded to the car's chassis? I relocated mine a long time back to the plastic throttle linkage cover on the throttle body. Does it need to be grounded for safety/reliabilty purposes?

 

The ICM has a ground wire running to it, but seems like a good idea to have the bracket grounded, because the coil is grounded through it.

 

Shoe -- according to your website, it is supposed to be silicone heat transfer compound? If so, that stuff has has strong dielectric properties as well (and does not contain metal particles). There are heat compounds that do contain metal, but are conductive.

So, in that sense, silicone heat transfer compound is not so different from dielectric grease, except in that it was specifically designed to bridge air gaps between metal to increase thermal conductivity. From what I've read at least.

A moot point, but worth mentioning I suppose...

 

My only point was they are not always the same thing, so not to confuse one with the other.

 

So will di-electric grease work? I have that laying around...

 

My opinion is heat transfer grease is what you want as it is specifically made for the purpose.

 

I agree -- use what was supposed to be on there in the first place (-silicone heat transfer compound).

However, I can personally attest that dielectric grease will suffice, judging that I had been using it for about 2 years with a hypertech coil -- without any remote signs of potential problems whatsoever. Honestly, I think the two are relatively similar compounds. Both contain silicone, both have high dielectric qualities, neither contain metal, and both are grease. Use at your own risk...

 

Problemed solved, ICM came with its own grease.