Air Intake
Intercooler
An intercooler, also called a charge air cooler, cools the hot air leaving a turbocharger before it enters the engine. We carry 37 intercoolers from $89 to $1459 for vehicles from 1999-2022, from GPD, TYC, Action Crash and CSF, with fits for the Ford F250 and F350 Super Duty, Ford Escape and Volkswagen Jetta.
Shop intercooler by vehicle
Standard Motor Products Intercooler CAC1 for Ford F250 Super Duty
Fits 2011–2016 models
Why the intercooler matters
Compressing air heats it, and hot air is less dense. The intercooler sheds that heat so the engine gets cooler, denser air, which helps power, efficiency and engine safety. On diesel trucks, it also helps control exhaust temperatures under load.
Most units mount at the front of the vehicle, ahead of the radiator, so they take hits from stones and collisions.
Signs of a leak or damage
A cracked tank, split seam or punctured core lets boost escape. Signs include low power, a hiss or whistle under acceleration, black smoke on diesels, oil residue on the outside of the core, and boost or underboost codes.
Check the boots, couplers and clamps too, since they often leak before the cooler itself. A boost leak test with the system pressurized is the most reliable way to find the source.
Choosing and installing
Match engine and year in the fitment table, and compare inlet and outlet sizes and mounting points with your old unit. Listings here show core size, aluminum core and tanks, and cross flow design.
Clean oil out of the intake tubes before fitting a new cooler. Replace worn boots and clamps, and torque clamps to the stated value so they seal under boost without cutting the couplers.
Intercooler questions
What are the signs of a bad intercooler?
Loss of power under boost, a hiss during acceleration, oil on the outside of the core and boost related codes are common signs. Check the boots and clamps as well.
Is an intercooler the same as a charge air cooler?
Yes. Both names describe the cooler that chills compressed air from the turbo before it enters the engine. Diesel truck owners often use the term charge air cooler.
Should I replace intercooler boots at the same time?
If the boots are cracked, soft or oil soaked, yes. Old boots often leak or split once the new cooler is under full boost. Replacing them now saves a second job.