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[Andy B]

Numpty question time .....
The air - air intercooler on my diseasal Astra has the hot air that's been compressed by the turbo cooled by sending it through the inside of a radiator (intercooler) which in turn is cooled by an air flow across the fins ie air flow as you drive along. 

On a  'go-faster' Brabus Roadster there's a water filled intercooler.
Question ....... where's the water relative to charge air or cooling air? 

[Brikhead]

Same as in a normal radiator... running through the vanes?

[Andy B]

Same as in a normal radiator... running through the vanes?

Where's the charge air then? 

[hotel21]

Engine air is seperated from external cooling (air/water/whatever) medium by metalwork/fins etc.

[hotel21]

Charge air is the external air thats gone through the turbo/supercharger and is compressed.  Charge air cooler cools this mass of air, reducing its relative volume, allowing more of that volume into the cylinder thus, more fuel to mix and so, bigger bang per cycle = more power....

Edit to add that external air goes through air filter into charger, then cooler, then engine.  Use of a dump valve expells excess charge air to atmosphere so as to prevent overpressure or back pressure issues into the charger when the engine goes off load/gearchange... 

[Andy B]

Engine air is seperated from external cooling (air/water/whatever) medium by metalwork/fins etc.

Still not getting it ......  As said with an air - air intercooler, combustion air that's being cooled goes where coolant would be in your 'normal' rad ie inside it & is cooled with an air flow across it.
So, if as Brikhead says, the water is in the same place in a water cooler intercooler ............. your car is going to drown 

[hotel21]

Engine air is seperated from external cooling (air/water/whatever) medium by metalwork/fins etc.

Still not getting it ......  As said with an air - air intercooler, combustion air that's being cooled goes where coolant would be in your 'normal' rad ie inside it & is cooled with an air flow across it.
So, if as Brikhead says, the water is in the same place in a water cooler intercooler ............. your car is going to drown 

Imagine being back on a marine diesel engine.

Air goes through filter, compressed by turbo, then cooled by a fresh water recirc system before entry to engine.

Fresh water recirc then cooled by a seawater heat exchanger and thus, the three mediums remain mechanically and physically seperate.  Water cooling on your car will be similar whereby the cooling water cools the air?

Clear as mud......

Water passing through charge air cooler will thereafter be cooled by engine rad and then through engine etc afterwards as required.

[tidla]

thingy on the left?

[Andy B]

...
Fresh water recirc then cooled by a seawater heat exchanger and thus, the three mediums remain mechanically and physically seperate.  Water cooling on your car will be similar whereby the cooling water cools the air?

Clear as mud......

OK, got you now, not sure how the water actually helps any though. 

[Andy B]

thingy on the left?

I think you've managed to find the V6 Brabus Smart! 

[hotel21]

Same as in a normal radiator... running through the vanes?

Where's the charge air then? 

Picture a 'normal' radiator encased in an air/watertight shroud.

Air passes through internals wher water would normally be.

Water passes through fins etc where air would normally be.

Casing keeps the water in place rather than being lost as air would normally be on a 'normal' car.

[Andy B]

intercooler is here with its own fan

off to find a Brabus's 

[hotel21]

...
Fresh water recirc then cooled by a seawater heat exchanger and thus, the three mediums remain mechanically and physically seperate.  Water cooling on your car will be similar whereby the cooling water cools the air?

Clear as mud......

OK, got you now, not sure how the water actually helps any though. 

Depends on the relative difference in temperatures.

If air has a greater cooling effect then air will be used whilst on tighter engine space fitments, probably easier to cool water below ambient and thus have greater cooling effect.

[Andy B]

.....

thingy on the left?

I think it is 

[Andy B]

Same as in a normal radiator... running through the vanes?

Where's the charge air then? 

Picture a 'normal' radiator encased in an air/watertight shroud.

Air passes through internals wher water would normally be.

Water passes through fins etc where air would normally be.

Casing keeps the water in place rather than being lost as air would normally be on a 'normal' car.

Completely understand now! 
Ta!

I knew I'd get a proper answer here!