What are the symptoms of a faulty intercooler?
2 Answers
The symptoms of a faulty intercooler include: decreased vehicle power, black smoke from the exhaust, severe engine cylinder wear, and serious engine carbon buildup. The intercooler is a supporting component of turbocharging, and its function is to reduce the temperature of the high-temperature air after pressurization, thereby lowering the thermal load on the engine, increasing the intake volume, and enhancing the engine's power. The cleaning method for the intercooler is as follows: 1. Add a water solution containing about 2% soda ash at a temperature of 70-80°C into the intercooler; 2. Fill it up and wait for about 15 minutes, then shake it back and forth several times before pouring out the cleaning solution; 3. Rinse with a clean water solution containing about 2% soda ash until it is relatively clean; 4. Finally, rinse with clean hot water at a temperature of 80-90°C until clear water comes out.
A few days ago when I was driving uphill, I felt the car had less power than before. Pressing the accelerator pedal was like stepping on cotton - the speed wouldn't increase and it felt particularly strenuous. This was more noticeable when the AC was on, and fuel consumption was slightly higher than usual. No warning lights were illuminated on the dashboard, but there was a slight hissing sound from the engine bay. Upon opening the hood, I noticed oil stains near the intercooler, possibly indicating an air leak. In this condition, the engine doesn't burn fuel efficiently and emits more black smoke, which can cause significant engine damage over time. That time, I pulled over and called for roadside assistance to avoid breaking down on the road. A simple check is to inspect the intake piping for any damage or oil traces, but it's best to have it professionally repaired to prevent minor issues from becoming major problems.
