Turbo Intercooler

[DAVEXT5]

Does anyone know if I have an Intercooler on my Rav4 xt5 d-4d?

If it does then are there any files showing it's location and how to access it.

Thanks

[gjnorthall]

The intercooler is tucked down at the front of the engine on your model - it looks like a coolant radiator but obviously piped up to the turbocharger - on the 4.2, it sits flat on the top of the engine.

[DAVEXT5]

The intercooler is tucked down at the front of the engine on your model - it looks like a coolant radiator but obviously piped up to the turbocharger - on the 4.2, it sits flat on the top of the engine.

Yeh thanks but could really do with a Toyota service file on this as looking to go bigger and suck more cool air in to the Turbo.

[gjnorthall]

An intercooler on the Rav doesn't cool the air into the turbo - it reduces the heat of compression of the air out of the turbo. The cooler the air, the higher the density - so this is a way of getting a higher mass of air (and hence fuel) into the engine. Aftermarket intercoolers come in a multitude of shapes and sizes and are relatively cheap. Essentially the bigger the intercooler - the better. However the usual problem is shoehorning a bigger intercooler into the engine bay together with the practicalities of piping it up. Many car owners are disappointed after fitting a larger intercooler and it's all down to getting a decent cooling airflow through the unit - you need to ensure enough exposed surface area at the inlet and a good path for the heated air at the outlet - not always an easy thing to do. Using something like a Lindop chip might well be a far easier and neater way of increasing power output (around 20-25% increase claimed).

[DAVEXT5]

@gjnorthall, not sure I understand what you mean Are there any documents that show the intercooler location and airflow from the filter/turbo etc.

Yes am looking at chipping but like the look of these better http://www.chipmydiesel.com/products/diesel-chip-tuning/toyota/rav4-d-4d/1556.html

Mines the 2.2ltr

[korat102]

The intercooler sits between the turbocharger and the inlet manifold. Doesn't affect the air going into the turbo at all.

The only way to cool the air going into the turbo is to fit an external intake, can't see that making a huge difference.

Shoudn't be too difficult to locate the intercooler though, just look for a radiator connected directly to the turbo outlet and the inlet manifold...

[gjnorthall]

Not referring specifically to the performance module you mention, but many of these adverts have vague or unrealistic claims. Some of these systems simply fool the ECU into over-fuelling the engine and the black box contains nothing more than a 10p resistor. My advice would always be to get objective feedback from owners who have fitted a particular unit.