4WD Turbo Timers

[Squidgee_Man]

Just after a bit of info on these so called turbo timers. I understand they are to allow the turbo to cool down after the engine has been running under heavy load, towing ect. Are these timers really that necessary? if they are that important wouldn't they have been installed by the manufacturer? I don't want to fork out hundreds of $ just for some gimmick. So any comments would be great. For and against!

[stelmo]

they are a good if your motor is turbo most truck run them to let turbo cool down other wise turbo blows up metal gets in motor and then motor dies basically

[StuKlose]

Only needed when your drop from high speeds very quickly and shut down the motor. If you have to stop from highway speeds quickly just idle the motor for a minute.

[bream miagi]

on the money stu
turbo timers are only needed if you are thrashing your mobile at high rpms/loads and shut them down imidiately after....really not needed imo[ive been playing with turbo charged engines for a while now]
and to be honest...there useless really..and kind of works against itself by letting the motor run for a couple of minuts extra:confused:....creating even more under bonnet heat
best just to take it easy for 2 ks before you shut it down....simple really..:D

[gtxrally]

Most modern vehicle's or unmodified from factory specs really don't need them, subaru have never run a turbo timer on any of their turbo cars even the from when the vortex was avaialble in the 80's, like Stu said, if you drive the car hard let it idle for a minute, but most will not need them.
Dale.

[Hash]

they are a good if your motor is turbo most truck run them to let turbo cool down other wise turbo blows up metal gets in motor and then motor dies basically

Yes but most trucks are at least 11 litres and run a T3/4 or bigger usually a T66 or T88 Running full boost (30+PSI) for almost the entire time. so in those situations it is advisable.

[DJC2]

Hey mate

Stuklose and others are spot on - as long as you let the engine idle after a long bout a highway driving you should be OK.

I looked into these a few years back and what I came up with is that actually using one is illegal (if you go off and leave the car running) and can cause problems with insurance, so best to check that out of you get one. Having said that, plenty of people do use them and swear by them. Its the usual scenario with all things 4wd related.......the views are about 50:50 and it can be the tip of the iceberg in terms of how you begin speccing up your car. Personally I wouldn't bother till you are out of warranty and want to spend the cash.

Have a look at this link for an idea of views around the place....

http://www.exploroz.com/Forum/Topic/18975/Turbo_Timmers_-_what_do_you_think_.aspx

Cheers
Darren

[ben k]

as most have pointed out its not absolutly nessesery on a stock car/4wd, more so on something modified or running higher boost. or after a bit of a thrashing :D
it is however a bit of assurance to prevent the turbo from suffering heatsoak as the oil/water which cools the turbo stops being pumped through as soon as you turn the engine off.
and you can save yourself $$ by just driving easier before stopping or just let it run for a bit before switching it off.
i didnt know they were illegal though, thats interesting.:confused:

[Noddy]

The idea behind letting a turbo charged engine idle for a certain amount of time before switching of is to allow the turbo to cool down at a controlled rate. As a turbo heats and cools they expand and contract, so therefore if a red hot turbo cools to quickly it can cause the metal to crack which is obviously a bad thing. It's like why Americans call engine coolant anti-freeze because to temperature there can get low enough to freeze the cooling water of an engine, unless it has anti-freeze in it when water freezes it expands and can actually crack an engine block.
Like most people have said they aren't completely neccesary as I think most people aren't driving round the roads like race car drivers, but can come in handy for people who do alot of towing or drive in hilly areas, lots of beach work etc. All it really does is allow you not to have to stay with your vehicle for a minute or so after having the engine under heavy load.

[Justin Boyle]

I looked into these a few years back and what I came up with is that actually using one is illegal (if you go off and leave the car running) and can cause problems with insurance, so best to check that out of you get one.

This to me is the most important part. Whats more expensive than replacing a turbo is having a crash and the insurance company not paying out because your car wasn't road worthy!!!!

I heard somewhere that modern oils are pretty good now and a lot of the stresses on the turbo have been reduced. Most vehicles at highway speeds now are just ticking along and aren't working pretty hard anyway so I doubt there would be too much extra heat over just driving at 60k around the streets.

Justin

[Mandurah Marine]

If it is you solely driving the car you could idle down as required.
Idling down is to evenly dissipate heat sink and also let the wheel speed drop as it spins seriously fast (especially diesels where the boost is required down low) and could not get the lube it needs.
Consider if you were away on a holiday and someone else (wife?) drove the car to the beach under heavy load and turned it straight off - this is one example of where the timer comes into it's own rather than the "I forgot". Once or twice doing this, bearings get damaged then later when engine is under load potential for failure and wheel to hit housing and send debris through the rest of the engine is a seroius threat.

[Noddy]

I looked into these a few years back and what I came up with is that actually using one is illegal (if you go off and leave the car running) and can cause problems with insurance

Don't know how true that is, you can get car alarms and immobilisers to accomodate turbo timers and I'm pretty sure you can set them up now days so if you try select a gear the engine will cut out.

Personally if I had a Turbo Diesel engine I would fit one but each to there own.

[Benrose]

If i had a Turbo engine i'd be getting one. The allow the turbo to spool down while they are still getting oil and cool at a more controlled rate. Their even more important on Diesels where the boost is generated quite low in the rev range, you can hear the things spooled up driving around car parks.

The other thing is do you really want to be sitting in the car waiting for the turbo to spool down when you're running late for work?

[bonscottfan]

i own a nissan navara and had one installed and i think they are great i can just set the time, take the keys out and off you go-no need to hang around well worth the money and protects your engine

[vibefreak]

Yes but most trucks are at least 11 litres and run a T3/4 or bigger usually a T66 or T88 Running full boost (30+PSI) for almost the entire time. so in those situations it is advisable.

Ive got a CE lancer with a garetts T 43 turbo on it which i thrash running 14 pound of boost,

Personly u only need a turbo timmer if your going to be giving your car a hiding if its a daly driver then theres no need for one.

Cheers Brad

[bigpat]

I swear by them (on Turbo diesels, not rice burners).

I'd rather spend $200 on a timer, than $1000 plus on a new turbo.

Hot shutdowns after towing is why heaps of Patrols which the 3.0 TD blew turbos, or cracked pistons.......

It was more important on older engines that were only oil cooled, newer oil/coolant cooled cores, and ceramic exhaust wheels are better, but I like the insurance.

I had one on my Toyota Surf, and it was always set for 1 minute around town, or 3 minutes if I was towing. Most turbo diesels operate at, or near their maximum boost, which can be 7psi, or up to 14 psi, on the latest engines, like the new Pathfinder 2.5 ltr TD etc.

If you fit a boost gauge, and you'll be surprised at how much time the puffer spends at high boost. Even when I changed my boost from 7 to 13 psi, it used the extra pressure available to help it go, ( which was most noticeable on the highway, especially when I fit a custom inter cooler).

Perhaps my vindication was when I took the turbo in for a precautionary 100,000km turbo seal change. Upon inspection, the guy ( Kyp from ATP, well respected in the game) noted everything was still in excellent condition. Why? , as he said, I gave it good coolant, good oil, and a turbo timer that gives it an easy time.

I now drive a 3.0 TD Navara DualCab. Although I haven't fitted a timer as yet, having bought it brand new 2 years ago, I've always been very conscious of avoiding hot shutdowns etc. If in doubt, I'll let it idle for at least a minute, or when getting home late at night, dawdle around for 1 - 2 km before pulling up. I believe a bit a care will pay you back in the long run...

Just my experiences and thoughts......

Cheers,

Pat