Charge Air Cooler (TBD)
Charge Air Cooler · PACCAR
Charge air coolers for turbocharged diesel engines: air-to-air and air-to-water types, effect on cylinder filling and nitrogen oxides
The charge air cooler lowers the temperature of intake air compressed by the turbocharger before it reaches the intake manifold and cylinders. Compression heats the air, and warmer air is less dense, so cooling increases the mass of oxygen per stroke and therefore cylinder filling. Lower charge air temperatures also reduce peak combustion temperature, which together with exhaust gas recirculation limits nitrogen oxide formation. The common design is the air-to-air cooler mounted ahead of the engine radiator; the more compact air-to-water design cools through a separate water circuit.
Design and cooling capacity are matched to displacement, power class and boost stage: fin density, tube count and core cross-section are sized to air mass flow and pressure drop. Cooling effectiveness also matters for certification, since charge air temperature co-determines combustion temperature and therefore nitrogen oxide and particulate emissions. Connection dimensions and core change between engine generations. The assignment list on this page comes from official certification documentation and shows which engines the part number is listed against.
Typical damage includes cracked welds between the end tank and core from material fatigue, stone impact damage to the fins, and corrosion at connections. Leaks show up as lost boost pressure with reduced power, visible smoke, and a fault code for insufficient boost. After a turbocharger failure, oil can enter the core and reduce cooling effectiveness; clogged fins further reduce performance.
On replacement, matching by part number counts rather than appearance, since connection orientation and mounting points can differ between coolers. What should be checked is the sealing faces, charge air hoses and clamps, and mountings seated without straining the core. A leak test before start-up is advisable, and after a turbocharger failure the system should be checked for oil residue. Price and availability are not covered on this page.
Fits these engines (2)
| Paccar MX-13_456hp | Heavy-Duty-Straßenmotoren |
| Paccar MX-13_510hp | Heavy-Duty-Straßenmotoren |
Excludes price and availability — those come from the supplier.
