Potentially stupid question about radiators.

[kambites]

I've just replaced the air-con condenser in the wife's Octavia. While I was doing it I noticed that the car appears to have three radiator type things - the main radiator, the air conditioning condenser and another sandwiched between them. The central one has no coolant pipes connected to it, just one large diameter low pressure thing. What's it for? Is it some sort of weird air to air heat exchanger?

My ignorance of HVAC systems is almost complete.

Edited by kambites on Monday 6th April 09:36

[blueST]

Was it the intercooler?

[kambites]

blueST said:

Was it the intercooler?

I don't think the VRS has an intercooler and even if it did, sandwiching it between the air-con condenser and main radiator would be rather counterproductive. The thing also only appeared to have one pipe, so no inlet/outlet type affair.

[blueST]

Vrs is turbo isn't it? If so it will have an inter cooler, whether what you are looking at is it, I couldn't say.

[kambites]

blueST said:

Vrs is turbo isn't it? If so it will have an inter cooler, whether what you are looking at is it, I couldn't say.

Not all turbocharged engines are charge-cooled. I'm not sure whether this is though and it's quite possible that this is an intercooler, but it certainly wont be a very efficient one if it is.

Edited by kambites on Monday 6th April 11:55

[blueST]

True, but I think most if not all VAG do. However, I know nought about VRSs.

[kambites]

It would appear that is it an intercooler. It would also appear that I haven't reconnected it properly because I appear to have a 100% boost leak.