What is a turbocharger? - Ask.cars.com http://ask.cars.com/2009/04/turbocharger-what-is-...

What is a turbocharger? Search

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A turbocharger is a device driven by exhaust gases that increases engine
power by pumping air into the combustion chambers.

Combustion is limited not by the amount of fuel that can be injected but by the amount
of air an engine can gulp in to mix with that fuel. Forcing air into an engines intake
manifold at higher-than-atmospheric pressure allows more fuel to be burned, which
results in higher output. The related supercharger also compresses intake air but is
driven by a belt, chain or gears. To oversimplify, the turbocharger employs two encased Ask
fans mounted on either end of a common shaft. The engines exhaust gases are routed Have our experts answer
through one fan, called the turbine, which rotates the shaft. This, in turn, spins the your questions about
opposite fan, called the compressor, which compresses the air entering the engines Email us at tips@cars.co
intake manifold.

Turbo and superchargers often work in tandem with an intercooler, which serves to cool
the compressed air before it enters the engine. Compressing the air heats it, which Maintena
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makes it less dense and negates some of the positive effect, and may cause pinging or Car Talk Co
knocking. Intercoolers typically are simple radiators through which the intake air passes
to shed some heat, increasing the density before combustion. The inter means
between, as intercoolers are positioned between the turbo and the intake manifold. Categories
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What is a turbocharger? - Ask.cars.com http://ask.cars.com/2009/04/turbocharger-what-is-...

BMW turbocharger pictured

Turbochargers have advantages and disadvantages. The main advantage which

propelled their adoption in production vehicles in the past two decades is that they
grant power on demand from otherwise efficient, compact, usually four-cylinder
engines. The disadvantages include additional cost, complexity and, in actual use,
turbo lag. Turbo lag is the delay in response that occurs when the driver tromps on the
accelerator. The turbo takes a second or two (or more) to get up to a speed at which its
compressing the intake air enough to effect an output increase. Over the years,
attempts to lessen turbo lag have come mainly in the form of twin turbo designs.
Nowadays, the combination of sophisticated computerized engine-management
systems and single, low-mass turbines seems to be making great strides for Saab and
Audi, among others.

As for the engineering and cost factors, turbos typically require the use of stronger
pistons, connecting rods and crankshafts than the same engine without a turbocharger
would need. Turbos generate considerable additional heat and cause the engine itself
to run hotter, so heat-resistant valves and a larger cooling-system radiator are common.
The turbine may spin at rates above 100,000 rpm, which requires an ample supply of
pressurized engine oil, along with a higher-volume oil pump and perhaps an oil cooler.
Heat is one of oils greatest enemies, so turbocharged vehicles require shorter
oil-change intervals or at least carry a higher likelihood of damage when the
schedule isnt kept.

Information for this was taken from the Cars.coms glossary, written by Joe
Wiesenfelder.

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What is a turbocharger? - Ask.cars.com http://ask.cars.com/2009/04/turbocharger-what-is-...

Cars.com Glossary (AskCars)

What is an intercooler? (AskCars)

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Answered by Joe Bruzek on April 7, 2009 in Glossary | Permalink

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