LittleBear
Bronze Member
I noticed the M9000 has an intercooler with its turbo, and lower M turbo models do not. What is an intercooler? Is it necessary, or just something else to go wrong?
Intercooler, good or bad.
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JerryG
Super Member
An intercooler is a very good thing. This intercooler will be a air to air radiator. It cools the air down that has been heated up by the turbo before it is pumped into the engine. The cooler the air charge the more power that the engine can produce.
SkyPup
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If the turbocharger is producing > 0.5bar or 8 pounds of boost, then you need an intercooler (radiator) to reduce the temperature of the intake air charge down enough that the air density is closer to ambient temps, otherwise you totally defeat the purpose of the turbocharger > cramming more air molecules into the combustion chamber without increasing displacement.
Below 8 psi, there is not enough increase in air temp post turbo to warrant the use or expense of an intercooler, but once the boost is over 8 psi you'll need an intercooler to reduce the compressed air temperature to take advantage of the boost.
A turbocompressor is usually around 65-75% efficient and at about 1 bar or 15 psi the compressed air temperature is around 300 - 350 degrees Fahrenheit, which needs to be lowered with the use of an intercooler to somewhere down around 140-160 degrees F. in order to make use of the compressed air adequately.
Remember, compressing air creates hot air, hot air is less dense.
Below 8 psi, there is not enough increase in air temp post turbo to warrant the use or expense of an intercooler, but once the boost is over 8 psi you'll need an intercooler to reduce the compressed air temperature to take advantage of the boost.
A turbocompressor is usually around 65-75% efficient and at about 1 bar or 15 psi the compressed air temperature is around 300 - 350 degrees Fahrenheit, which needs to be lowered with the use of an intercooler to somewhere down around 140-160 degrees F. in order to make use of the compressed air adequately.
Remember, compressing air creates hot air, hot air is less dense.
40Kchicks
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My intercooler has not been a problem at all. I clean it with air and or water at the same time I clean out my radiator.
Eric
Eric
EquipmentJunkie
Platinum Member
An intercooler is a good thing for the reasons described in the previous posts. Intercoolers are now standard equipment on virtually all turbocharged cars, pickups, large tractors, and highway trucks. It is a proven method of delivering more power with minimal cost.
In the diesel pickup market, there are plenty of companies that are filling the demand for better-flowing intercoolers for those who tow heavily. These intercoolers will flow air better internally and therefore be more efficient at making power.
The reason the M9000 models have an intercooler and the lower turbo Ms do not is because the intercooler will incrementally raise horsepower of an engine.
In the diesel pickup market, there are plenty of companies that are filling the demand for better-flowing intercoolers for those who tow heavily. These intercoolers will flow air better internally and therefore be more efficient at making power.
The reason the M9000 models have an intercooler and the lower turbo Ms do not is because the intercooler will incrementally raise horsepower of an engine.
SkyPup
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Actually, very few turbodiesels tractors utilize intercoolers since the vast majority of tractor turbochargers do not produce boost in excess of 8 psi. or about 1/2bar. Most wastegated turbochargers on most agricultural engines are not high output turbocompressors like those on many modern trucks, pickups, and passenger diesels that can ouotput one bar or higher of intake air boost.
You only need an intercooler if your turbocompressor is producing more than 8 psi becasue below that it is not needed or economical due to the lower maximum intake air temperature associated with <8psi boost.
All turbodiesels with a maximum load boost >8psi will utilize some sort of intercooler to lower the temperature of the boosted intake air charge low enough to take advantage of it, ie back down near ambient underhood engine operational temperature. The use of a turbocompressor with boost >8psi is wasted without an intercooler due to the extremely high heat of the intake air. Also, the temperature of the intake air is directly related to the maximum heat of combustion in the diesel combustion chamber, raising the piston crowns and exhaust valves operating temperatures to dangerous levels, ie 200-350 degrees hotter than they are designed to operate. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
You only need an intercooler if your turbocompressor is producing more than 8 psi becasue below that it is not needed or economical due to the lower maximum intake air temperature associated with <8psi boost.
All turbodiesels with a maximum load boost >8psi will utilize some sort of intercooler to lower the temperature of the boosted intake air charge low enough to take advantage of it, ie back down near ambient underhood engine operational temperature. The use of a turbocompressor with boost >8psi is wasted without an intercooler due to the extremely high heat of the intake air. Also, the temperature of the intake air is directly related to the maximum heat of combustion in the diesel combustion chamber, raising the piston crowns and exhaust valves operating temperatures to dangerous levels, ie 200-350 degrees hotter than they are designed to operate. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
EquipmentJunkie
Platinum Member
Sorry. I need to be more clear. When I mentioned large tractors, I was referring to those around 130 hp. and higher. Your point is quite right.
