What is an Intercooler on a Car?

An intercooler on a car, also called an charge air cooler, is a heat exchanger that is used to cool the compressed air coming out of a turbocharger or a supercharger before it enters the engine. The compressed air generated by the turbocharger or supercharger is hot, and hot air is less dense than cool air, which means that it contains less oxygen per volume. This reduces the engine's power output because it needs oxygen to burn fuel.

How does a Turbo Intercooler Work?

The intercooler charge air cooler works by using a series of tubes or fins to cool the compressed air as it passes through. It is usually mounted in the front of the car, where it can receive a good supply of cool air as the car moves forward. The cooler air passing through the intercooler helps to reduce the temperature of the compressed air, which increases its density and oxygen content.

By reducing the temperature of the compressed air, the intercooler helps to improve engine performance by increasing horsepower and torque output. An intercooler can also help reduce the risk of engine damage caused by detonation.

Intercooler Vs Radiator: How do They Differ from Each Other?

An intercooler and radiator are both heat exchangers, but they serve different purposes in a car. An intercooler is used to cool the compressed air before it enters the engine, while a radiator is used to cool the engine's coolant.

The compressed air that comes out of a turbocharger or supercharger is hot and less dense, which can reduce engine performance. The intercooler cools down the compressed air by transferring heat to the outside environment. This results in denser air that contains more oxygen, which improves engine performance.

On the other hand, the engine coolant that flows through the engine absorbs heat generated by the engine's combustion process. This coolant then flows through the radiator, where it is cooled by the outside air. By cooling the engine coolant, the radiator helps prevent the engine from overheating, which can cause damage to engine components and reduce engine lifespan.

In short, while both intercoolers and radiators use heat exchangers, they differ in the fluid they are designed to cool.