Ok,

I'm a bit new to Diesel Engines.

I'm looking at a VW Caddy with a (partly installed) 1.9L TDI engine.

The notes indicated that the intercooler wasn't installed yet.

So, as far as I can tell, the intercooler lies between the turbo and the intake manifold, and the purpose is to cool the intake air which would have been heated by compression.

Then the air is compressed again in the cylinders to produce the explosion.

So, the question is whether the intercooler is really necessary... or perhaps it would be best without it as I would think one would get better vaporization with higher intake temperatures. Especially if one is trying to run SVO/WVO.

Ideas?

Experience?

Thanks,
Cliff

I imagine you need the intercooler. The engine was designed to use it, if your intake air is not cooled, you may run too hot.

Anything running over 15psi boost needs a intercooler.

By making the air more dense in advance of the intake manifold you get more air with each combustion, meaning more burn. I've been looking into removing/deleting the ERG, which not only cuts down on dirty air entering the engine but also looks like it would increase temps in the cylinder for a more complete burn.

Go to the TDIClub forums and poke around using their search tool to see what you can find regarding intercoolers and combustion temps.

Good luck!

Dan

keelec, if you've got the intercooler and can plumb it, i'd definitely install it. the intake temperaure of non-intercooled air can be well over 200 degrees, meaning the air would be way less dense than intercooled air. intercooled air translates into a few more horsepower, but way more torque. in early early tdis the only difference aside from the cylinder head was the piston stroke and the intercooler- the bottom end was the same as a 1.6 ecodiesel. i have 1 each of these engines in an '86 golf and in a '96 passat- there's no comparison in terms of torque. the tdi is in a class by itself!