In what cases is it necessary to clean the intercooler, and how to do it yourself? How does the state of this module affect the operation of the car engine? These questions are often of interest to owners of cars equipped with a turbocharging system.
The intercooler is an integral element of this system of forced air injection into the combustion chamber of the engine, and is a heat exchanger that cools this air. The performance of the car, as well as the safe operation of the vehicle, depend on its technical condition and correct operation.
Rules for flushing the intercooler
When cleaning the heat exchanger, do not use devices with pressurized water supply. The pressure can damage the aluminum plates. The type of detergent does not particularly affect the result. There are two ways to wash:
- external;
- internal.
The first method allows you to flush the intercooler without removing it; the second method requires dismantling. During the cleaning process, various cleaners for radiators and engines, gasoline, kerosene, and solvent are used. Almost any product that copes well with severe stains will do.
The removed cooler can be washed better, since most of the foreign particles accumulate on the back side. The choice of method depends on the car’s mileage, degree of contamination and conditions of use. If oil gets into the intercooler, it must be cleaned twice. First, all dirt and salt deposits are removed, and then the surface is washed from oil. Gasoline and kerosene work well with this substance.
The need to disassemble the front panel and bumper depends on the car model and the location of the heat exchanger. In some cases, only dismantling the arch protection will be required. By carrying out external cleaning, you can avoid disassembling the device, but washing it will be much worse. To remove external contaminants, you will need a hose with low water pressure, a cleaning agent and a soft brush.
To remove the air intercooler, the clamps are loosened and the fasteners are disconnected. Water devices require the dismantling of all pipes. If there is a lot of dirt on the device, it is necessary to carry out mechanical cleaning. All kinds of growths, stones, and insects are removed. Curved plates are straightened using improvised means. Chemical means are used to remove deposits and dirt; you can use Profoam 2000. Internal parts are washed with acetone, white spirit, kerosene or engine and carburetor cleaners.
Cleaning the intercooler is a simple process that, together with drying, takes the driver 2-3 hours. Timely replacement of pipes will avoid breakdowns and costly engine repairs.
Flushing, washing the intercooler. — Subaru Legacy, 2.0 l., 2002 on DRIVE2
Flushing the intercooler. First, in a nutshell, what is all this for?
The compressed air coming out of a compressor, compressor or turbocharger vehicle is very hot, so its density is less than that of cold air. The power developed by the engine directly depends on the density of the air charge at the inlet. Therefore, if we do not eliminate some or all of the heat that appears after air compression, we will sacrifice power and possibly the health of the engine. Hot air, to a greater extent than cold air, contributes to the occurrence of detonation. An intercooler helps us cool the air; they come in different types, but today we are talking about air-to-air ones. In it, the heat contained in the charge of compressed air is transferred to the flow of ambient air through many plates and tubes made of heat-conducting material, such as aluminum. In relation to heat exchangers, heat transfer coefficients depend on many factors, from the magnitude of the wall roughness to the cleanliness of the heat exchanger surfaces. For example, oil and dirt can accumulate inside the heat exchanger during vehicle operation. The obstruction created by the accumulation of oil and dirt acts as insulation, reducing the efficiency of heat transfer. This is why you can sometimes gain power by flushing the intercooler.
We have a standard intercooler from a 208 engine with a mileage of 92,000 km in Japan. It is quite clean on the outside, but small dried oil streaks are visible inside.
Flushing, washing the intercooler.
Flushing, washing the intercooler.
I washed it outside with a regular power shower plus Profoam 2000.
Flushing, washing the intercooler.
Flushing, washing the intercooler.
Started looking like new.)
For internal cleaning, I bought the cheapest carburetor cleaner to try, it cleans perfectly, but there is very little of it.
Flushing, washing the intercooler.
The liquid drained out as black as night. After reading the composition of the product, I realized that the main components are acetone and white spirit.
To completely clean it, I used 3 liters of white spirit; the last liter came out of the intercooler already clean.
Here is a photo of the result of the work.
Flushing, washing the intercooler.
Flushing, washing the intercooler.
They returned the stray horses to the herd))).
Page 2
Flushing the intercooler. First, in a nutshell, what is all this for?
The compressed air coming out of a compressor, compressor or turbocharger vehicle is very hot, so its density is less than that of cold air. The power developed by the engine directly depends on the density of the air charge at the inlet. Therefore, if we do not eliminate some or all of the heat that appears after air compression, we will sacrifice power and possibly the health of the engine. Hot air, to a greater extent than cold air, contributes to the occurrence of detonation. An intercooler helps us cool the air; they come in different types, but today we are talking about air-to-air ones. In it, the heat contained in the charge of compressed air is transferred to the flow of ambient air through many plates and tubes made of heat-conducting material, such as aluminum. In relation to heat exchangers, heat transfer coefficients depend on many factors, from the magnitude of the wall roughness to the cleanliness of the heat exchanger surfaces. For example, oil and dirt can accumulate inside the heat exchanger during vehicle operation. The obstruction created by the accumulation of oil and dirt acts as insulation, reducing the efficiency of heat transfer. This is why you can sometimes gain power by flushing the intercooler.
We have a standard intercooler from a 208 engine with a mileage of 92,000 km in Japan. It is quite clean on the outside, but small dried oil streaks are visible inside.
Flushing, washing the intercooler.
Flushing, washing the intercooler.
I washed it outside with a regular power shower plus Profoam 2000.
Flushing, washing the intercooler.
Flushing, washing the intercooler.
Started looking like new.)
For internal cleaning, I bought the cheapest carburetor cleaner to try, it cleans perfectly, but there is very little of it.
Flushing, washing the intercooler.
The liquid drained out as black as night. After reading the composition of the product, I realized that the main components are acetone and white spirit.
To completely clean it, I used 3 liters of white spirit; the last liter came out of the intercooler already clean.
Here is a photo of the result of the work.
Flushing, washing the intercooler.
Flushing, washing the intercooler.
They returned the stray horses to the herd))).
Purpose and features
Changing the oil in a car, which oil is thicker than 5w30 or 10w 40
Intercooler is a heat exchanger that cools the hot air coming from the turbocharger. The temperature can reach +200 °C, which is due to the heating of the compressor and the compression of air flows. There are two types of intercooler cooling:
- air;
- aquatic
In the first case, the radiator releases excess heat into the atmosphere. The simple design has made this type the most popular among car manufacturers. The second type involves cooling with water. The unit has a compact size and high operating efficiency. Its structure is more complex and includes an additional liquid cooler, a transfer pump, and a control system.
Externally, the intercooler is a radiator with many strokes, plates and tubes that dissipate heat. The long length of the nozzles and their absence of bends make it possible to maintain high pressure in the structure.
The operating efficiency of the device is very high. The engine increases its power by 3% when the temperature drops by 10°. Air intercoolers cool the exhaust streams by 50° and accelerate the engine by up to 15%. For water systems, the reduction reaches 70° and the engine efficiency increases by 21%. The intercooler also has a number of disadvantages:
- During friction inside the structure, the working fluid loses some energy, which reduces air pressure;
- the device adds up to 20 kg to the total weight;
- High-quality operation of water devices is impossible without cooling fluid, the leakage of which significantly reduces the efficiency of operation.
What is an intercooler for?
Changing the oil in a car: is it possible to add oil to a hot engine?
The cooler is a kind of radiator. The purpose of the device is to cool the compressed air before supplying it to the cylinders of the internal combustion engine. Cooling allows more air to be placed into the cylinder, resulting in more fuel being burned. The engine power when supplying cold air under pressure is much higher. The location for installing the intercooler is naturally the area after the turbine. The use of a cooler on a diesel engine made it possible to achieve an increase in power, reduce the toxicity of exhaust gases, obtain complete combustion of the fuel-air mixture, and reduce fuel consumption. The turbocharged diesel engine has become more revving, the low-end torque characteristics and engine efficiency have increased, and the maximum speed of diesel engines has become higher.
The installation of an intercooler on a diesel engine is due to the fact that engines of this type are extremely demanding on the temperature of the working mixture compared to gasoline internal combustion engines. The cooler is capable of reducing the charge air temperature to 55-70 degrees Celsius.
Air cooling in the system can occur according to the following schemes:
- air cooling;
- liquid cooling;
- combined scheme;
- In the first case, air is pumped by a turbocharger and then passes through the intercooler honeycombs, releasing excess heat into the atmosphere. This diagram resembles the operation of a radiator in an engine cooling system.
- Cooling according to the second scheme involves passing air through a device filled with cooling liquid. Such a solution is structurally more complex and more expensive, since it requires the installation of an additional pump for pumping liquid, as well as separate electronic control units.
- Combined cooling is used in turbocharging designs on high-performance racing cars. The charge air cooling circuit in such machines includes several intercoolers, some of which operate on the principle of air cooling, while others are variants of liquid radiators. Coolers in combined circuits are used in series.
Cooling based on the air-to-air principle is less efficient compared to air-to-water circuits and combined solutions. At the same time, the main advantage of an air radiator is the simplicity and availability of this solution, which led to the widespread installation of intercoolers of this type on serial diesel and gasoline cars.
Purpose of the intercooler
The purpose of equipping a car with a turbocharging system is to create additional air pressure in the engine cylinder, due to which the flammability of the mixture consisting of fuel and air increases. This helps to increase engine power while maintaining its dimensions and weight, save fuel and reduce emissions of harmful substances into the atmosphere.
The material of this cooling device must have high thermal conductivity, so aluminum or copper is used to manufacture this module.
What is an intercooler
Changing the oil in the Haldex coupling on a Tiguan
As is known, forced air charging under pressure allows you to burn more fuel and achieve a significant increase in internal combustion engine power without increasing the physical volume of the cylinders. This solution is widely used on almost all modern diesel engines, and is also used in the design of forced gasoline units.
The intercooler is a component element that is included in the overall turbocharging scheme. The fact is that the air is strongly compressed by a turbocharger, as a result of which it heats up. If heated air is immediately supplied to the cylinders, then its volume will not be enough for efficient and complete combustion of a portion of the fuel. Engine power decreases, fuel consumption also increases noticeably.
Why is cooler cleaning necessary?
During the operation of the car, any of its parts inevitably becomes dirty. Since the intercooler is located in the front of the car, while driving, dirt, insects, small stones, sand, etc. get into it.
Moreover, oil accumulates in it, which, mixed with sewage, clogs the structure, which negatively affects the efficiency of this unit:
- heat transfer is reduced, since the crust of contaminants does not conduct heat and acts as an insulating material,
- there is no cooling of the air entering the cylinders from the turbocharger,
- due to lack of cooling, engine productivity decreases.
In addition, in winter, salt gets into the gaps between the aluminum elements, which is sprinkled on the roads, which has a detrimental effect on the material from which the cooler is made. It literally eats away aluminum.
How to clean the intercooler from oil
In some cases, an oil leak, for example from a pipeline connecting the turbine and the crankcase, leads to the need to clean the intercooler. This is due to the fact that the turbine throws the oil flowing out of the hole into the intercooler.
Before flushing the intercooler of oil, you need to figure out how to remove the intercooler. Most air-cooled intercoolers can be removed within a few minutes; to do this, you need to loosen the clamps and remove the fasteners. The liquid-cooled intercooler is somewhat more difficult to remove, for which all pipes are unscrewed. In addition, you need to decide how to flush the intercooler of oil. It is necessary to flush the system with a detergent recommended in the instructions, but if such a liquid is not at hand or is difficult to find, then a universal chemical may be suitable: kerosene or white spirit.
When using these liquids, precautions should be taken to avoid contact with exposed areas of the body. Do not use hard objects for cleaning, such as a knife, brush or other tool that could damage the surface being cleaned.
After thoroughly cleaning the intercooler pipe from oil, you need to get rid of any remaining cleaning fluid. To do this, the part is washed with water, but not under pressure, so as not to damage the internal structure of the radiator. The water should be at room temperature; flushing should be carried out until clean liquid comes out of the intercooler.
Thus, it is not a problem to find a way to flush the intercooler; it is much worse to postpone repairs until later. It should be borne in mind that inexpensive replacement of pipes can save money on major engine repairs. If you cannot independently diagnose the reasons for the appearance of oil in the intercooler, contact a professional service center.
Precautionary measures
How to remove tar from a car?
In the process of internally cleaning the device from oil, you have to work with aggressive flammable liquids, and also take precautions so as not to damage the intercooler itself:
- During mechanical cleaning, do not use hard brushes, knives or other devices that can scratch or bend thin soft metal parts.
- You should work with gloves and avoid contact of aggressive substances with your body.
- Follow safety rules when working with flammable materials.
After internally flushing the intercooler of oil, it must be thoroughly rinsed and dried so that there are no residual flammable substances left inside.
If you have any doubts about cleaning this module yourself, you must contact the service center for specialist help. Neglecting intercooler maintenance can soon lead to a major engine overhaul.
The main reasons for oil getting into the intercooler
As automotive practice shows, if there is oil in the intercooler of a diesel engine, the reasons for its appearance are very typical. They concern:
- various types of oil or air filter malfunctions;
- engine overheating;
- leaks in the turbine (which is often caused by damaged seals);
- damage to the ventilation system serving crankcase gases, etc.
Malfunctions of the crankcase ventilation system
Another common cause of oil penetration into the intercooler, experts call breakdowns in the crankcase ventilation system. Such a system should reduce the release of hazardous substances into the atmosphere from the crankcase. If normal ventilation of gases is not ensured (for example, due to a broken valve), the engine oil deteriorates its performance parameters, destroys the metal part of the engine, etc. The result will be the fixation of undesirable environmental and other problems, including oil leakage into the intercooler.
Oil filter clogged
Another typical reason for the unwanted presence of oil in a car’s intercooler is that the oil filter is clogged and does not fully perform its functions. Then a rarefaction zone certainly appears, due to which the sucked oil enters the intercooler. If this happens, you cannot do without thorough cleaning of the filter.
Dirty air filter
Sometimes the real cause may be a thoroughly clogged air filter. Its contamination does not allow it to pass, as expected, a sufficient volume of air. In this case, as in the previous case, a rarefied zone appears, creating a kind of “pump” that sucks in the oil. Here, too, you will have to resort to thorough cleaning of the filter in order to prevent the subsequent inevitable destruction of the seal rings.
Motor overheating
Oil on the intercooler pipe may also be the result of engine overheating. Many car owners abuse this, constantly forcing the engine to wear out without any good reason.
Sooner or later, such disdainful “attention” to the car on the part of the driver can lead to the appearance of unwanted and harmful malfunctions for the car, up to the failure of its important components
The turbine is leaking due to a damaged oil seal
Automotive professionals know that often the reason is that the turbine throws oil into the intercooler. Finding out the reasons why oil is rushing into the intercooler shows that this is due to a faulty oil seal through which the oil oozes.
Turbine return oil line bend
Sometimes the cause is such a “trifle” as a bent oil drain pipe installed between the engine crankcase and the turbine. If it is not straight, as it should be, but has significant bends, this could be the whole problem - due to the occurrence of increased turbine pressure. It increases so much that it forces the oil through the O-rings. Here, to normalize the situation, it is enough to give the oil pipeline an even shape.
Diagnostics and troubleshooting
To eliminate this malfunction, it is necessary to carry out diagnostics and determine why and why oil appeared in the intercooler.
For initial diagnosis, if oil is detected inside or outside the heat exchanger or on its pipes, the following steps must be performed:
- Check oil filter
- Check the air filter and the condition of the air ducts
- Check whether the engine overheats during operation
- Check the condition of the turbine seals
- Check the condition of the oil lines
- Check the engine oil level
- Check the performance of the crankcase ventilation system
The cause of oil getting into the intercooler is most likely due to the items listed in this list.
What should I do next to fix the problem?
Oil filter clogged
When the oil filter becomes clogged, pressure increases in the system, which pushes through and destroys the engine seals. Oil begins to leak, and the turbine throws drops of it into the intercooler. In this case, the filter must be replaced. However, the seals are already destroyed and will also have to be replaced.
Dirty air filter
A dirty filter and dirty air line cause a vacuum that causes insufficient air to enter the cylinder. This leads to an over-enrichment of the air-fuel mixture and prevents the engine from operating in optimal mode. In addition, due to the created pressure difference, droplets of oil are sucked into the turbine, and therefore into the intercooler.
Installing a clean filter and cleaning the air ducts will reduce oil leakage and improve the operating parameters of the internal combustion engine.
Motor overheating
If the cooling system is faulty or during prolonged operation in heavy conditions, the engine may overheat and boil. As a result of overheating, the oil liquefies and begins to evaporate rapidly, increasing the pressure. Turbine seals, especially those that are already worn out, cannot provide sealing under such conditions. The turbine drives leaking oil into the intercooler.
In this case, it is necessary to check the condition of the crankcase cooling and ventilation system and the condition of the turbine seals.
Turbine return oil line bend
If there are kinks or deformations in the oil line, correct its geometry.
If for some reason this cannot be done or a crack is found, replace the faulty spare part.
Increased engine oil level
When the oil level is high, it enters the oil line to the turbine and is squeezed out through the seals, from where it is thrown into the intercooler.
Excessive amounts of engine oil must be drained, bringing its level to the values set by the manufacturer. However, at the same time it is necessary to determine why the oil level was elevated and, if necessary, eliminate the malfunction.
Violation of the crankcase ventilation system
This malfunction leads to the creation of increased pressure in the crankcase. In this case, the oil penetrates through the oil line to the turbine and is forced through its seals, and then is carried into the intercooler by the air flow.
In this case, not only the ventilation system should be checked, but also the pistons and CPG should be diagnosed. In this case, it is better to contact specialists to correctly diagnose and troubleshoot the problem.
Is it dangerous for oil to get into the intercooler?
First of all, you should become familiar with what the intercooler is designed for. This term should be familiar to those who operate a diesel engine. In addition to turbocharging, such engines have an intercooler. It was this that was dubbed the intercooler.
Figuratively speaking, this is a kind of radiator for cooling the fuel mixture
Since, structurally, it has clear functional tasks, oil in the intercooler is definitely an abnormal phenomenon, so it is important to determine how dangerous it is for the machine’s mechanism. There is no need to look for a definite answer here.
It all depends on several factors, each of which plays an important role.
Sometimes a slight presence of oil may not pose a serious threat to the engine. But this is only temporary, since it should not be there, and it will certainly negatively affect the functioning of the engine. So, after mixing the oil with the air flowing through the radiator, such an “enriched composition” will enter the fuel mixture and worsen its combustion efficiency. The most unpleasant option may be the oil catching fire, which often happens in practice in cases where the engine is overheated after prolonged operation at maximum capacity.
Why is cleaning necessary?
How to wash the piston without removing it
Like all automotive components, the intercooler is prone to contamination because it is located in front of the radiator and is the first to absorb contamination. Ingressed dirt affects cooling efficiency, which subsequently leads to loss of engine power. However, it is the salt that is sprinkled on roads in winter that causes much more problems. In particularly advanced cases, it can destroy the aluminum coating of the heat exchanger, thereby impairing its performance. To reduce the likelihood of rupture from overheating, it is worth cleaning periodically and avoiding severe clogging.
causes and solutions to the problem
Hi all. Today on AutoPulsar another very pressing issue will be raised that interests many motorists, especially owners of cars with turbines. I will try to answer the question: “Why does the turbine drive oil into the intercooler?”, and also for what reason this happens.
The problem is typically typical for diesel cars and occurs quite often. For those who don't know, oil in the intercooler is not normal; a working intercooler should not interact with engine oil. When the turbine drives oil into the intercooler, certain problems are observed with the engine, this manifests itself in the form of a drop in power, as well as a decrease in the oil level, in other words, a situation where the engine eats oil. I’ll say right away that if you discover a problem, it is highly not recommended to operate a car with such a breakdown, in order to avoid even greater troubles.
Why does the turbine drive oil into the intercooler?
- Deformation of the oil drain pipe. The oil line itself is a bent tube. It is located between the turbine and the crankcase; it delivers oil from the crankcase to the turbine. For that. To understand whether this is the case, it is necessary to evaluate the general condition of the oil drain pipe. If the oil line is damaged or deformed, the delivery of the required amount of oil to the turbine occurs intermittently, and due to the deformation, the pressure in the system increases. Excessive pressure in the system causes the oil to look for any way to escape. As a result, leaking through the most vulnerable places, such as seals, it penetrates the intercooler.
- Oil line is dirty. This problem usually occurs in cars with high mileage. High output and a number of related problems, including bad oil, lead to the turbine driving oil into the intercooler due to a clogged oil line. The internal diameter of the oil-conducting channel is reduced due to various deposits, as a result, the throughput is reduced. Excess pressure arises and, as I already said, the oil looks for a way out to reduce the pressure. Thus, it often ends up in the intercooler.
- Faulty air duct. If the air duct is somehow damaged during operation, the turbine may begin to throw oil into the intercooler. The reason is that if the seal is broken, a vacuum zone appears, which draws in engine oil, throwing it into the intercooler. Minor punctures and cracks, in principle, can be repaired, but in case of critical damage, replacement of air ducts is mandatory.
- The air filter is critically dirty. For owners of turbo engines, the cleanliness of the filter elements is very important, so replacement should be regular and, if possible, premature. Despite its simplicity, the air filter is a rather important element on which a lot depends, including the proper operation of the turbocharger. Lack of air with a dirty filter has an extremely negative effect on turbine performance. A vacuum zone appears in which oil is sucked in and thrown into the intercooler.
Relevant: What is a diesel turbo timer and is it worth installing?
What to do if the turbine drives oil into the intercooler and how to fix it?
The search for causes is described above; it is necessary to establish which one of them led to the fact that oil is thrown into the intercooler. After this, the cause is eliminated and the consequences of this phenomenon are eliminated. Basically, the problem comes down to the fact that a large amount of oil and carbon deposits cover the air channels, impairing the efficiency of the intercooler. This may result in the air flow not receiving proper cooling, causing it to overheat.
Cleaning the intercooler is carried out by mandatory dismantling of contaminated components. Without dismantling, cleaning the intercooler will be incomplete and superficial. Various chemicals that can dissolve oily deposits are used as a detergent, or it would be more correct to say a cleanser.
Timely detection of faults!
In this situation, the most important thing is to diagnose the problem in time. The sooner you notice that the turbine is throwing oil into the intercooler, the cheaper and easier the repair will be. Delay or a careless attitude can lead to turbine malfunction, the price of which is quite high. In addition, other components that interact with the turbocharger may fail along the chain.
More serious cases
If your problem was a clogged filter or a kink that is easy to fix, consider yourself lucky. Sometimes oil in the intercooler indicates more serious problems, including problems with the engine crankcase. This may be a blockage in the oil drain line, which results in carbon deposits. Often, do-it-yourself repair enthusiasts who repair a diesel engine at home use conventional sealants instead of special means for fastening the oil line. As a result, high temperatures melt and fall inside, forming plugs and blockages. The problem can be solved by dismantling the oil drain line and then cleaning it.
Even more serious situations occur when oil is forced into the intercooler due to an excessively high oil level in the crankcase. So if the oil level rises above the level of the drain pipe, it can be assumed that the crankcase ventilation is impaired. Such repairs require a more serious and comprehensive approach. The reason for this phenomenon may be the sealing rings of the piston group, or rather a violation of their integrity. As a result, exhaust gases will begin to flow into the crankcase, thereby squeezing the oil through the drain pipe. The way out of this situation is to overhaul the engine and replace all piston rings. Also, sometimes the reason for too high an oil level is the driver himself, who overdid it and poured more oil into the system than necessary.
Even after you find the reason for the appearance of oil in the intercooler and eliminate it, the problem cannot be considered completely resolved. It is also necessary to eliminate the consequences of the phenomenon when the turbine drives oil into the intercooler. For example, it is necessary to remove residual oil from the intercooler, otherwise the remaining oil will be picked up by the air flow and then enter the fuel mixture. This will worsen the combustion process of the fuel assembly, as well as the condition of the power unit itself. There may also be a deterioration in the efficiency of the air cooling itself, and at the same time the efficiency of the motor will decrease. There are also frequent cases of oil ignition under high engine loads.
Self-cleaning of a diesel engine intercooler
After eliminating the malfunctions that led to the release of oil into the cooler, it is necessary to clean the intercooler. This procedure is necessary to ensure that the air cools normally and that the remaining engine oil in the air cooler does not mix with the air supplied by the turbine.
The entry of a mixture of oil and air into the cylinders reduces the efficiency of the diesel engine, leads to severe carbon formation and coking, changes the combustion conditions of the fuel-air mixture, etc. In critical cases, it is even possible that the engine oil in the cylinders may catch fire and the diesel engine may overheat.
- To clean the intercooler yourself, you will need to dismantle it. Cleaning engine oil involves the use of special cleaners, which are widely available on sale. Before use, be sure to collect information about whether the selected product can be used to clean the intercooler of a particular vehicle.
- It is not recommended to flush the intercooler with gasoline or kerosene, various solvents and other aggressive compounds. Certain coolers may be composed of materials that are easily destroyed by aggressive cleaning agents. In such a situation, there is a risk of completely disabling the device.
- As for air coolers, to remove them you need to unscrew the mounting bolts and remove the clamps. Removing the liquid cooler will require careful study of the instructions.
- The cooler must be flushed in strict accordance with the manufacturer's instructions, which are indicated on the cleaner packaging. After washing, it is necessary to thoroughly rinse off any remaining chemicals using running water.
- Many car enthusiasts use Karcher to clean the engine compartment. In the case of washing the cooler, you can also use this method. It should be noted that water must be supplied strictly under low pressure. The cooler honeycomb is quite fragile; water can damage the device if it is supplied intensively.
- Flushing must be repeated until clean water begins to flow out of the radiator. When finished, it is necessary to dry the cooler thoroughly to eliminate the possibility of the presence of water. To speed up the drying process, the intercooler inside is carefully purged with compressed air with minimal pressure.
- It is also necessary to thoroughly rinse the outside of the cooler to remove dust, dirt and engine oil residues. The final step is to reinstall the cleaned device.
- Periodic external cleaning of the intercooler honeycomb is a preventative measure and allows you to improve the efficiency of the turbocharging system.
- The appearance of even a small amount of engine oil in the cooler requires stopping the operation of the internal combustion engine until the cause is eliminated.
- Active use of a car with a obviously faulty turbocharging system can lead to more serious damage to the power unit.
How to flush the intercooler after oil gets in
Once the cause of oil leaking into the intercooler has been determined and eliminated, it is also necessary to clean the intercooler itself before continuing to operate the vehicle. If the oil is not removed, it will enter the air flowing through the radiator. Thus, oil particles will end up in the air-fuel mixture, which will generally affect the quality of engine operation. At the same time, the quality of intercooler cooling of the passing air will decrease.
Please note: In rare cases, remaining oil in the intercooler may catch fire at high temperatures. To clean the intercooler from accumulated oil, you need to remove it from the car.
If a liquid intercooler is used, it is better to contact specialists or the removal instructions for a specific model. When it comes to an air device, it can be removed very simply - just loosen the clamps and unscrew a few bolts
To clean the intercooler from accumulated oil, you need to remove it from the car. If a liquid intercooler is used, it is better to contact specialists or the removal instructions for a specific model. When it comes to an air device, it can be removed very simply - just loosen the clamps and unscrew a few bolts.
Next, you should clean the intercooler. To do this, you can use specialized tools (information about which should be indicated in the vehicle’s operating instructions), or it is permissible to use universal automotive tools, for example, Profoam 2000.
Important: If the car’s operating instructions do not indicate that the intercooler can be cleaned with gasoline, as well as various solvents (white spirit), they cannot be used. Most likely, the use of such products will lead to irreversible damage to the device.
Once the intercooler has been cleared of any remaining oil, clean it of any remaining cleaner with distilled water.
Please note: Water must not be supplied under high pressure, otherwise it will damage the intercooler cells. Next, dry the intercooler (you can leave it to dry for several hours, or blow it with a hairdryer)
When blowing with a hairdryer, set the minimum temperature and minimum pressure to avoid damaging the device.
Next, dry the intercooler (you can leave it to dry for several hours, or blow it with a hairdryer). When blowing with a hairdryer, set the temperature and pressure to the lowest setting to avoid damaging the device.
When the intercooler is dry, install it back on the car.
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Concept and principle of operation
Oil in the intercooler of a diesel engine, what is the reason? First, let's figure out what an intercooler is and what it comes with. The challenges now facing leading engineers are to maximize power by minimizing size, fuel consumption and emissions. This is not an easy goal. One option to increase power is to increase the pressure in the cylinders to ignite the fuel.
The latter consists of fuel and oxygen, which is delivered into the chamber under turbine pressure. Thanks to this chain, the ignition speed increases and the power increases. Anyway, the effect has been achieved. But far from it. Along with increasing power, the temperature inside the engine rapidly increases. As a rule, turbines are installed in diesel engines. So for the latter, elevated temperature is very harmful. In order to prevent premature failure, engineers developed an intercooler - a mechanism designed to cool the temperature of the compressed air in the engine. The principle of operation is quite simple. It resembles a motor cooling system by reducing the temperature due to cold air.
Intercoolers are structurally of two types:
- system :
the simplest and most practical design. The operating scheme is as follows: air passes through the radiator honeycombs, similar to a standard one. In this way, the cooling process takes place and a cooled stream enters the chamber; - Air-water:
the hot flow after the turbine passes through a radiator with water, in this way cooling occurs. But this method is expensive in that it requires installation of, in addition to the radiator, a pump for pumping water and an electronic control unit.
Should be taken into account implanted into production machines
A diesel engine cannot compete with the same performance as a gasoline engine, so a supercharger has become the optimal solution. But there is no smoke without fire
. The main and most common problem with turbochargers is engine oil leaking into the supercharger system. The reason must be sought exclusively in the device that is lubricated with oil. A common practice is severe wear of the oil scraper rings, which allow vapor from the combustion chamber to pass into the crankcase pan. Solution to the issue: a major overhaul in the form of tossing the rings. The reason why oil is in the intercooler of a diesel engine has been clarified. A quick repair will get your car back on the road.
Troubleshooting methods
Naturally, the choice of one or another troubleshooting solution directly depends on what exactly caused the oil to drip or flow from the turbine. However, we list the most likely options, from simple to more complex.
Replacing (in extreme cases, not undesirable, cleaning) the air filter. Remember that it is advisable to change the filter a little earlier than the regulations, by approximately 10%. On average, it needs to be replaced at least every 8-10 thousand kilometers. Check the condition of the air filter cover and pipes; if a blockage is detected, be sure to thoroughly clean them, removing debris. Check the tightness of the air filter cover and pipes. If you find cracks or other damage, depending on the situation, you can try to repair them by applying clamps or other devices; in extreme cases, you need to buy new parts instead of the damaged ones. In this case, a prerequisite is that if depressurization has been detected, then before assembling the system with new components, it must be thoroughly cleaned of debris and dust that are in it. If this is not done, the debris will act as an abrasive and significantly wear out the turbine. Correct selection of engine oil and its timely replacement. This is true for all engines, and especially for those equipped with a turbocharger. It is better to use high-quality synthetic or semi-synthetic oils from well-known manufacturers such as Shell, Mobil, Liqui Moly, Castrol and others. It is periodically necessary to monitor the condition of the oil pipes so that they ensure normal pumping of oil through the oil system, in particular, to and from the turbine. If you completely change the turbine, then for preventive purposes you need to clean them, even if at first glance they are relatively clean. It won't be unnecessary! It is necessary to regularly check the condition of the shaft, impeller and bearings to prevent significant play. At the slightest suspicion of a malfunction, you need to perform diagnostics. It is better to do this in a car service center, where there is the appropriate equipment and tools. If there is oil at the outlet of the turbine, then it makes sense to check the condition of the drain tube and the presence of critical bends in it. In this case, the oil level in the crankcase must be higher than that of the hole in that tube. It also makes sense to check the crankcase ventilation
Please note that condensation that forms in the exhaust manifold due to temperature differences is often mistaken for oil, since the moisture mixes with dirt and turns black. You need to be careful and make sure that it is really oil. If there is a leak in the intake or exhaust system of the engine, then it also makes sense to check the condition of the gaskets
Over time and under the influence of high temperatures, it can wear out significantly and fail. Accordingly, it needs to be replaced with a new one. You should do this yourself only if you are confident in your knowledge and practical experience in performing such work. In some cases, instead of replacement, simply tightening the tightening bolts helps (but less often). However, you should also not overtighten, as this can lead to the opposite consequences when the gasket will not hold pressure at all.
Remember that overheating of the turbocharger contributes to the formation of coking from the engine oil on its surface. Therefore, before turning off the turbocharged engine, it is necessary to let it idle for a while so that it cools down a little.
It is also necessary to remember that operation at high loads (at high speeds) not only contributes to excessive wear of the turbocharger, but can also lead to deformation of the rotor shaft bearing, oil burning, and a general reduction in the life of its individual parts. Therefore, if possible, this mode of engine operation should be avoided.
Replacing Tuareg intercoolers or “why do you need to wash intercoolers?” - Photo report!
We dismantled the front bumper. We won’t be surprised if any of the readers are not familiar with this concept of “intercooler”; there’s nothing special about it
