What is an Intercooler in Cars and Trucks?

In the vehicle industry, an intercooler is a rectangular device with a number of horizontal fins or tubes located in the front of cars and trucks. The fins work as a passing channel for the hot air coming from the engine – Turbo or Super Turbo Engines.

The intercoolers help vehicles lower their inlet gas temperature, which makes the air denser and handy for combustion optimization. They reduce the heat by 50% and enhance the engine’s horsepower by 15 – 25%.

In short, an intercooler is a cooling device for turbo engines like Ford F150, Ford Raptor, and other turbo engine trucks and cars.

Types of Intercoolers

Intercoolers are mainly of two types that vary on the bases of the heat absorbent agent. The agent could be either air or water. In both cases, the heated air is emitted to the outer environment.

Let’s go through each type in detail.

Air-to-air intercoolers

This type of cooler compresses the hot air by allowing them to pass through a chain of fins that are in contact with the outside air. The outer air being cool takes heat from the hot air through the fins, which lowers the temperature of the air.

The air-to-air intercoolers are placed in the front of a vehicle, so they have maximum contact with the fast-moving air while the car is in motion. These types of intercoolers are light and inexpensive yet quite efficient. This is one of the common intercoolers most turbo vehicles have.

Air-to-water intercoolers

As the name sounds, such intercoolers use water as a heat absorber. It takes heat from the hot air and emits it through the radiators. The air leaves heat to the water and does not come in contact with the outside air.

In this system, some water is passed through the high-temperature air. And the water being cool, absorbs heat from the air, which moves forward to the engine.

This type of intercooler is more efficient than the former. It has a more heat-absorbing capacity than an air-to-air intercooler and occupies less room in the vehicle. It might be a bit pricey since you’ll need a radiator as well for the heat emission from the hot water.

How Does an Intercooler Work?

The working process of the intercooler is simpler and somewhat similar to the radiator. It absorbs heat and releases it through the long horizontal tubes which are exposed to the air.

In the cars and trucks that have a turbo or super turbo engine, the charger compresses the air, which becomes hotter, and the oxygen level drops. This air flows to the intercooler and passes through horizontal fins, piled up one upon another.

The intercoolers are placed in such a place where they have maximum exposure to the air. Mostly they’re mounted in the front of the vehicle. The air, while passing through the pipes, comes in contact with the environment and loses heat due to energy differences.

This way, the intercoolers minimize the temperature of this air, making it denser, filled with oxygen, and pushing it back to the engine. They also lower the adverse effects of turbo and deliver cooler and denser air to the engine.

What Does an Intercooler Do on a Ford F-150?

Since the Ford F-150 has a turbocharged engine, the air it carries should be cooler so that it reduces fuel consumption and increases the engine’s efficiency and performance. A radiator-like device known as an intercooler helps the F-150 engine receive low-temperature air.

This intercooler is either in contact with the outer environment or with the water, which absorbs heat from the air and delivers cool air to the engine. The engine again increases the air’s temperature, which goes back to the intercooler to emit the heat.

That’s the reason Turbo engines and Super Turbo engines have intercoolers. And as you know, the Ford F-150 has the same engine, so it also needs an intercooler. That’s what an intercooler does on a Ford F-150 or in any other turbo vehicle.

Is an Intercooler Only for Turbo Cars?

Intercoolers are mostly found in turbo or super turbo cars because such engines produce more heat which should be emitted rapidly. Non-turbo engines also increase the air’s temperature inside. But in that case, the radiator helps them release the heat.

The radiator can be found in most vehicles, whether they’re turbo or non-turbo. However, the intercoolers are specific to turbo and supercharged turbo engines.

Does an Intercooler Add Power to the Engine?

Yes, an intercooler adds horsepower to the engine. It enhances its power by almost 20% while lowering the temperature by 50%. When the intercooler is operational, the engine’s performance is at its peak and saves you more bucks by reducing the fuel intake.

What’s the Difference Between an Intercooler and a Radiator?

Both devices have the same functioning, except that one cools the air while the other cools the coolant. Intercoolers are of two types: air-to-air and air-to-water, while radiators are always air-to-water.

Bottom Line

Now that you know what an intercooler is and how it works, the next wise step would be to check your car or truck’s intercooler if you have a turbo-based vehicle. Replace it with a new one if it has been operating for the past few years and has a leak. Or visit a nearby mechanic for the repair.