An engine at some point of
it's function is not able to suck enough air into the engine to give
efficient running. Often this point can be experienced as a fall off
of power. This discrepancy can be overcome by pumping air into the
engine input. This is where the Turbo Charger comes in.
The Turbo Charger is
attached to the exhaust manifold. The vanes of the turbo charger are
spun by the force of the exhaust pressure from the diesel engine.
This energy drags in air from the Air filter. Then pressurised air is
sent to the intercooler to cool the air down. Cold air is more
efficient than hot air.
The pressurised air from
the intercooler is then forced into the engine input.
I have read that this turbo
function can increase the efficiency of an engine by more than 30%.
The Diesel engine on my
Wanderer has a Turbo charger fitted. For those who don't have one, I
can highly recommend it as a modification. Once fitted it is
automatic in service.
There appears no way to
know if the turbo is faulty, this can be a bit disconcerting. On
asking a Peugeot mechanic if it was possible to check the turbo, he
pressed the flexible pipe to the intercooler and revved the engine.
He said with his experience the swelling of the pipe in his fingers
indicated a turbo which was functioning.
I have produced these notes
to give the non mechanic some idea on how the turbo works.
