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Running Turbo diesel without intercooler?
40inches - 19/5/17 at 04:12 PM

The wife's SAAB 9-5 2.2TiD has blown the intercooler
I bypassed it with odds and ends of hose I had lying around, and it goes better than it ever has
Bearing in mind that it spends most of its time in traffic, average speed for the last 12 months 16mph
What sort of problems are possible running it without the intercooler?

[Edited on 19-5-17 by 40inches]

r1_pete - 19/5/17 at 04:17 PM

At those speeds I cant see the inter cooler doing much, you'll probably suffer at high speed due to less dense air.

Probably ok until an intercooler comes up at the right price.

40inches - 19/5/17 at 04:21 PM

quote:
Originally posted by r1_pete
At those speeds I cant see the inter cooler doing much, you'll probably suffer at high speed due to less dense air.

Probably ok until an intercooler comes up at the right price.


That was my thought £200+ for an intercooler for a 13 year old car!!!!!!

Angel Acevedo - 19/5/17 at 04:22 PM

Probably pinging or detonation at high boost?
If severe, maybe piston or Head damage.

40inches - 19/5/17 at 04:24 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Angel Acevedo
Probably pinging or detonation at high boost?
If severe, maybe piston or Head damage.


Proper ray of sunshine you are

JAG - 19/5/17 at 04:42 PM

quote:

pinging or detonation


Only happens with Petrol - Diesels are always self-igniting

Dusty - 19/5/17 at 04:43 PM

Doesn't it have all the usual sensors including air temp downstream of the intercooler. Should take care of the 'warmer' inlet air and fuel appropriately. Might even have a knock sensor. As a daily driver it should be fine. Improved performance is probably due to the old intercooler losing boost pressure for months/years.
Might not have a knock sensor. Doh.

[Edited on 19/5/17 by Dusty]

mark chandler - 19/5/17 at 06:25 PM

Lots of older diesels just had straight to inlet, I would not sweat it unless you want to start towing stuff around with the car.

Doctor Derek Doctors - 19/5/17 at 08:03 PM

I bet it feels better now because the intercooler already had a hole in it. I bet when you put an intercooler back on it will feel better again.

I'don't just got to a scrappy ano see what I could find.

coyoteboy - 19/5/17 at 08:59 PM

quote:
Originally posted by JAG
quote:

pinging or detonation


Only happens with Petrol - Diesels are always self-igniting


Still exists in diesels, it's uncontrolled. Proper ignition is controlled. Same effects as on a petrol.

It won't hurt to trundle about but sitting in traffic then going for it could yield damage if you're unlucky. I'd risk it for a bit but be aware of symptoms.

Generally uncooled diesels run lower boost because of it.

[Edited on 19/5/17 by coyoteboy]

james h - 20/5/17 at 05:35 PM

quote:
Originally posted by coyoteboy
quote:
Originally posted by JAG
quote:

pinging or detonation


Only happens with Petrol - Diesels are always self-igniting


Still exists in diesels, it's uncontrolled. Proper ignition is controlled. Same effects as on a petrol.

It won't hurt to trundle about but sitting in traffic then going for it could yield damage if you're unlucky. I'd risk it for a bit but be aware of symptoms.

Generally uncooled diesels run lower boost because of it.

[Edited on 19/5/17 by coyoteboy]


Yup, happens in exactly the same way as in spark ignition engines. As such avoiding low engine speeds and high loads i.e. no traffic light GPs - is obviously going to be better