Intercooler query

Jake Blight · 10-03-16, 11:12 PM

If a turbo vehicle has had an upgraded intercooler fitted and the owner states that the thermostat had been removed to aid cooling...Would that sound plausible? It's a very beetle cup car 1.8t.

Cheers for any help.

jimh · 10-03-16, 11:35 PM

No, not really.

An upgraded intercooler would lower inlet temperature, creating more power (assuming the required extra fuel can be provided). Cooler air is more dense, so having cooler air will produce the same kind of effect as having more air.

Removing the thermostat would just mean the engine would take much longer to reach operating temperature, then over cool when cruising. Both of these are bad as it will waste fuel, cause faster engine wear and soot up the exhaust / cat(s) /plugs.

If it was overheating before then the reason should have been determined. Bad thermostat / bad water pump / bad radiator etc.
Or the car has been modified enough to create more engine heat than the stock cooling system can handle in which case a larger radiator may be required.

Jake Blight · 10-03-16, 11:42 PM

Cheers for that..

4v6 · 11-03-16, 08:57 AM

Best engine powers usually made at an engine temp of 73 ish degrees iirc, so get a thermostat that keeps the engine in that range.
No thermostat means an engine will be overcooled as per JimH's post.

10-03-16, 11:35 PM	#2
jimh Grown up member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 122	No, not really. An upgraded intercooler would lower inlet temperature, creating more power (assuming the required extra fuel can be provided). Cooler air is more dense, so having cooler air will produce the same kind of effect as having more air. Removing the thermostat would just mean the engine would take much longer to reach operating temperature, then over cool when cruising. Both of these are bad as it will waste fuel, cause faster engine wear and soot up the exhaust / cat(s) /plugs. If it was overheating before then the reason should have been determined. Bad thermostat / bad water pump / bad radiator etc. Or the car has been modified enough to create more engine heat than the stock cooling system can handle in which case a larger radiator may be required.

10-03-16, 11:42 PM	#3
Jake Blight Grown up member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Cornwall, near England Posts: 881	Cheers for that..

11-03-16, 08:57 AM	#4
4v6 Ex Member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 5,565	Best engine powers usually made at an engine temp of 73 ish degrees iirc, so get a thermostat that keeps the engine in that range. No thermostat means an engine will be overcooled as per JimH's post.