How Turbochargers Work

What is a turbocharger? What does a turbocharger do? The four main components of a turbocharger are explained. The basic concepts of a turbocharger and how the components involved work. The four main components are the turbocharger, the wastegate, the intercooler, and the blow off valve.
NOTE: The exhaust pipe should come out perpendicularly from the exhaust turbine portion of the turbocharger, not vertically down as I have drawn.
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[@bargainboymakem1]

Mate, I just watched 4 vids trying to get my head around turbos, and yours is the only one that made me understand. Thanks man!

[@EngineeringExplained]

+Dave Bonski Happy to hear it! :)

[@a5h13y7]

Same here, nicely explained

[@rogelioperalta403]

s minute see bffxfcg. b o

[@Conviently]

I love his simple diagrams and how he nicely explains it.

[@MahyarJavadi]

Legit the one with 98% positive ratings and 5m views made 10x less sense than this 7 year old vid.

[@EngineeringExplained]

Sounds like you've had a good career. I like how you assume that I have no idea what I'm talking about, regardless of that fact that you don't know my history. Jet engines and turbochargers work in different ways. A turbine engine is used to create thrust by compressing air, igniting it, and allowing the force of combustion to propel the engine forward. A turbocharger uses exhaust gases to spin a turbine, which in turn rotates a compressor, which sucks in air.

[@Ureyeuh]

Humble beginnings.

[@akw7252]

Yes,we can notice his boost in confidence

[@aaronhansen9229]

Wow! Huge difference... and... is that a mullet?

[@gabrielbaum9660]

Mate im 48 and I have just learned how a turbo works thanks to you you are a good lad Thank You 👌👍

[@KristianKG]

:)

[@_Wai_Wai_]

what do you do for a living?

[@danielbostock595]

ExMachina SC2 freaky

[@braincandytv]

Nice clear explanation. I have a much better understanding of how it works now, thanks. :)

[@EngineeringExplained]

@thekkl 2) The BOV is only necessary when letting off the throttle (shifting gears). However, you want there to be built pressure in the air chamber waiting to come in once you're back in gear and on the throttle. The exhaust should constantly spool to maintain power. It takes a bit of time for the turbo to spool and create boost (turbo lag) and so if you keep it spinning for the short duration of the gear shift, you can keep your boost into the next gear.

[@EngineeringExplained]

I never said you don't know what you're talking about. I did say, however, that turbochargers use the exhaust gases to run the turbine. This is fairly common knowledge in the automotive world. If you'd like to point out a single reference on the contrary, I'd be glad to see it. Yes, I've disassembled an engine, and tampered with turbochargers. Ive also taken courses on thermodynamics, heat transfer, ICE engines, and auto engineering. I have plenty to learn, but I definitely know how turbos work.

[@EngineeringExplained]

Thank you, glad you enjoy them!

[@EngineeringExplained]

Very welcome! Glad you enjoy the videos!

[@EngineeringExplained]

@ThePustr117 Thank you!! I'm glad I could help! I'll certainly give it a shot and try to help you understand clutches better!

[@jentealokl]

Such an excellent video. You explained everything clearly and in a concise manner thank you!

[@EngineeringExplained]

Great! Glad you're learning!

[@JaihindhReddy]

I watched some of your videos a few years ago when I was little. It was too complicated for me. Now I have rediscovered this gem of a channel. Keep doing this man.

[@EngineeringExplained]

@mrbigtian Learn you shall! Glad you enjoy the videos!

[@EngineeringExplained]

Both can serve a separate purpose, as one is before combustion and one is after. If there is too much exhaust, the wastegate can divert air to prevent additional boost. If there is excessive pressure in the intake tubing, and the throttle closes (you let off the gas) then the air can escape through the BOV rather than back through the turbo.

[@bisheshkhadgi4502]

Congratulations on 10 years of the channel

[@MazzMasserati]

I've watched your more recent videos (LSD etc) before I watched this one today. I realise that you've always had a knack to simplify and explain these things. Great work man!

[@davehatch1946]

Thanks for the vids, great explanations.

[@Mike_Costello]

Hello from 2021. A LOT has changed since you made this. Well done on the success of your channel.

[@EngineeringExplained]

You're welcome! Glad you enjoy it!

[@landonfinley4195]

Im working on turbocharging my rotary engine and This is Such a beautifully simple explanation. Thank you!

[@EngineeringExplained]

@somerandomvideo That's awesome. I plan to eventually. Actually I was just inside a dam in Washington state today and the turbines inside use the same technology for varying the flow of water onto the blades. Very cool.

[@Professional_Youtube_Commenter]

thanks dude, this is my 4th youtube video I watched on this topic and your explanation was the best. I don't know much about cars and just needed a really basic explanation, the other videos were far too technical in explaning, yours was easy to understand and simple.

[@EngineeringExplained]

@sherif89 I believe that is one of the reasons for EGR, but it's more difficult to heat hot air than cool air, and the greater the temperature difference before and after combustion, the more power the engine can create.

[@TheOxyMorin]

Your videos are incredible! I am a student at UTI and these are helping a lot! Thank you so much keep up the good work!

[@nicholasalexander1644]

I literally wish I could give this video 1000 thumbs up! Your explanations and drawings are clear and easy to understand and all of your videos are well spoken and explained so that I'm able to understand the concepts. Great work!

[@EngineeringExplained]

@1971SuperLead Many turbos have built in wastegates. Don't think of it as before or after the turbo, but alongside. External wastegates have a split in the exhaust headers that lead to them to release pressure in greater power applications. Intercoolers are not required, but are dumb not to have since they increase the efficiency and output of the device.

[@jasonrichards7226]

Hi, just wanted to say your videos are great! Very well explained and easy to understand. I'm about to begin studying mechanical engineering and have learnt so much already just from your videos. Keep it up!

[@EngineeringExplained]

It's certainly on my to-do list. I'll have it eventually!

[@bimsaraperera9715]

I have watched other videos of how turbo's work but your one was the best... Well explained!!!!!!!

[@EngineeringExplained]

Very popular recommendation. I will get to it eventually!

[@nooneelsehasthisuser]

great job on explaining turbos! i've seen a number a videos trying to do the same and you def did a much better ,clearer and easier job. ill be checking out some more of your vids!

[@EngineeringExplained]

I think you may be referring to turbo flutter or compressor surge. It's a cool sound, granted, though it can be damaging. Basically what happens is when you left off the gas, the throttle body closes, and the compressed air has nowhere to go. A BOV can fix this problem, but if the BOV isn't effective enough, or isn't there at all, the air is force back through the turbo, creating the sound you hear.

[@adrianschulte1978]

I ended up on one of your videos randomly and then ended up spending an hour falling down your rabbit hole. Great channel, man!

[@EngineeringExplained]

Thank you!!

[@brianfowler4130]

Great video. I liked how you explained it in simple terms so even I could see how it all worked. Thanks .

[@EngineeringExplained]

@1971SuperLead For your second comment: The injection system is directly before the cylinders; the easiest way to locate them is looking at your intake manifold, they'll be directly above in most cases. The BOV is before the throttle plate. This is how it has to be in order to function. When the throttle plate closes (you let off the gas) pressure inside the air intake increases, and needs to escape (rather than pass back through the turbo).

[@Colioman22]

I agree, you are great at explaining things keep up the good vids man! Thank you!

[@ptmww3]

This year i am learning cars and i subscribed to you. Thanks for your great videos. I couldn't understand what turbo do on other videos ( even with moving images of the turbo and enigine) I do in this really well.Thanks a lot again for your video

[@joshuayoungs9116]

Thank you so much! I'm learning more and more by the minute!

[@EngineeringExplained]

Thank you!

[@1slayerfan834]

The best descriptive and most understandable video I've found on this topic thank you

[@EngineeringExplained]

@danklina You're welcome! Thanks for the support. My advice is find a local junkyard and go take an engine apart. That's one thing that helped me a lot. There's a place near me called LKQ, you pay $2 to get in, and it's full of cars ready to be stripped.

[@Goldadon]

You explain things in a great way, a skill that's moslty underrated. Keep going on!

[@RandomGenera7ed]

Great work man! Your explanations are really easy to understand and you actually respond to peoples comments! More youtubers need to be like you. Great vid, You have earned my subscription.

[@Barry_Block]

Great vid, cleared up a few questions I had. Thanks for the upload

[@turbodek99]

dang. thanks alot dude. i mostly understood turbos from other videos and stuff but there were still some things that i didnt understand and you completely sumed it all up for me.

[@rebel.mma.youtube]

Best explanation even over animation!!! Well done good teacher!!

[@EngineeringExplained]

Depends on the internals of the engine, if it was built for high temps/pressures. 12-14 could be way too high for plenty of stock engines, or fairly conservative for some overbuilt NA engines.

[@robertbidochon7949]

Engineering Explained Thank you for your effort to share your knowledge with us.

[@EngineeringExplained]

@jeshiescoots The latter option. It will keep your boost at the maximum level you desire based on the setting. So if you wanted it to not exceed 8 psi, and it started spooling too fast, you would not exceed 8 psi.

[@paul2334]

If you change the speed to 1.25x he almost speaks as fast as in his current videos

[@proyectozonda]

P T haha so true😂

[@EngineeringExplained]

Thanks!

[@20efren]

good explanation bro! thank you for taking the time to create these videos. Finally we someone that knows what he is talking about

[@EngineeringExplained]

The inlet is the intake side of the turbo, where I've shown air coming in. Typically there would be some tubing and a filter attached here, which I have not drawn in.

[@EngineeringExplained]

@psanjay100 Call them whatever you like, there's a turbine used to spin a compressor if you wish to be technical, but both devices are basically the same, just feed air in opposite directions.

[@nikhilkash92]

The Best Explanation i have ever heard!! Thanks :) Try adding a tagline at the end of each video like in this video " TURBOCHARGERS EXPLAINED" That would be awesome !!!

[@muscleman351]

Bro, I love your videos, you learn so. I love how you make it so easy to understand. Keep up the good work.

[@EngineeringExplained]

Turbos increases efficiency, and allow for a smaller engine to be used, and with enough gases produced it also allows for greater power at lower RPM. Diesels are already built heavy duty due to high compression ratios used, so it makes sense to turbocharge them for the added benefits (without really needing to beef up the internals much).

[@mattykress5017]

Loved this video, explained it so clearly! Keep it up mate!

[@benrindlisbacher7823]

very helpful man, appreciate the detailed description

[@EngineeringExplained]

BOVs are not necessary, it's more of just a safety measure for preventing compressor surge. And I believe you're correct on the boost controller.

[@Reaper1008]

gotta love that sound.. Thanks for the video

[@EngineeringExplained]

No, I would recommend reading up on forums and seeing if others have done it, or simply reading up on basic turbo installs. There are quite a few write ups out there - just need to do a little digging. Best of luck!

[@nikos1400]

Great, simple video !! Thanks !!

[@EngineeringExplained]

Thanks, yeah it's a rough sketch, and only the second video I had posted. I try to clean things up a little more now. Don't have a video specifically on wastegates yet, but it's definitely a topic that could be explained in greater detail in a future video.

[@Ripcolt74]

Really great explanation of the turbo system

[@josuec6968]

Learned more from this old video than many of these modern ones thanks brotha!

[@EngineeringExplained]

I suppose it's feasible, you'd have to match the exhaust to the turbo, and install new piping for the intake. Just depends how much time and money you want to put in, and if there's space to do it.

[@martinguitarhd28]

Excellent description thanks.

[@EngineeringExplained]

@333autotech Cooler air is more dense, meaning more oxygen. Also, cooler air can expand more than warmer air (takes up less space for the same amount of oxygen), and the more that air expands the greater the pressure difference from combustion, and the greater amount of power an engine can produce.

[@georgekoko69]

very nice explanations keep up the good work

[@blakeponders3047]

This is real cool,,,i use your videos to teach my son,,,this is a great service and its done well,,,big thanks

[@EngineeringExplained]

@britdog3 Well since there's no throttle body it's difficult to control. But it can be done electronically.

[@CarsByVincent]

This was a very good explanation! Thank you!

[@bouarf123]

nice explanation I like all your videos you're doing a great effort to make thinks easier to understand

[@EngineeringExplained]

@EngineeringExplained Finally, waste gate gases can either be channeled directly into the exhaust (much quieter and more eco-friendly method) or you can have an external wastegate and dump the exhaust gases directly into the atmosphere. This can be loud, and since it doesn't pass through your catalytic converter it's not the most environmentally sound method. KZbin "external wastegate." It makes a very distinct sound, generally at higher rpms when more boost is created.

[@TJG31301]

Quality upload m8 V well explained & concise

[@r8a1j0i9v1ns]

Fantastic vid, thank you!

[@aracecar4627]

Very well done. Good job.

[@chazlee7251]

Very Well explained. Great vid thx..

[@prashantvijay9358]

Great video. Keep up the good work

[@EngineeringExplained]

@gganana Good idea, adding it to the list!

[@abo0odm.n949]

Thanks for the great explanation

[@drummer6681]

Awesome video dude, very informative and helped a ton!

[@crypticezz6248]

I literally got it one minute into the video, great video!

[@EngineeringExplained]

@jcotty7 It's just a unit of pressure. 8 pounds per square inch of boost added to the engine cylinder (on top of atmospheric).

[@maximumzen3254]

Thanks for the extended info on turbos!

[@EngineeringExplained]

@thekkl 1) As air is pressurized, it builds heat. Heat is what you're using to create power, so air that's already hot is less useful in an engine. Also, cool air is more dense, and has more oxygen. The more oxygen, the more fuel you can burn -> more power.

[@deandredouglas2720]

Great job yo! Great channel, great teacher. Thanks.

[@crazy0about0you1]

thanx you did a good job I'm waiting for more!!

[@captnebulace]

super informative and helpful thanks

[@algee0218]

You and this video are the reason I bought a WRX. Thanks!

[@EngineeringExplained]

@SnowroxKT Correct!

[@EngineeringExplained]

Excellent, you're welcome!

[@JOJO2k12]

Perfect explanation

[@MultiGogurt]

Excellent video!

[@EngineeringExplained]

Thanks, I've got plenty of grays already though!

[@EngineeringExplained]

Correct, you will hear the wastegate while you are producing boost (while your foots on the gas) as it activates when boost is too high so it allows air to be diverted rather than to continue passed through the (already spooled) turbo.

[@chrifus31037]

Thank you very much ! Clear and simple...