Outer Limits 4x4 Board

Hi All

New to the turbo diesel scene. How long should you run your truck on idle to cool turbo? I own a 4.2 TD GU.

My old man used to have an MQ with turbo timer but wasn't sure if technology had changed since then and timer not needed.

Wilko76 wrote:technology had changed since then and timer not needed.

newer trucks dont need it... but having said that, I always take it easy last 1-2 klm from home or when going somewhere. doesnt take long for it to cool down.

its up to you, been discussed before - if your unsure, buy a turbotimer.

thx. Do the same ie take it easy the last few kms.

The way I see it is if its just round town sort of driving just go easy for the last couple of minutes but if you have just done a big highway run or been pushing it hard give it about a minute before shutting off.
Just to let a bit of oil circulate through the hot bearings.

Run an EGT gauge, don't shut it down until the temps return to that normally seen at idle.

IMO turbo timers are a gimmick. If they were needed then new vehicles would have them.
If you shut down a red-hot engine at the top of a hill then it's not just the turbo you need to be concerned about.

How are they a gimmick? They serve a purpose and do it well.

If my memory serves me the owners manual for my turbo diesell even recomends a cool down preriod.

Dunno about you but it gives me the shites when i have to sit in the car waiting for the thing to cool down. Yes, i am in the market for a timer.

As stated if youve been pushing it up a hill etc then just letting some heat soak dissipate is a good idea.
Turbo timers are a good idea but authorities do not allow vehicle to be left with engine running unattended.

Bazzle

TimMQ wrote:How are they a gimmick? They serve a purpose and do it well.

My truck has never had a turbo timer. The engine and turbo date from 1986, have covered over 250,000km. Proof to me that they are not needed.

So what have I missed out on by not having a turbo timer?

isn't it just so the oil in the turbo bearings/bushes doesn't boil or burn??
i just let mine cool for a bit if i've been giving it heaps, for normal driving i don't bother.

KiwiBacon wrote:

TimMQ wrote:How are they a gimmick? They serve a purpose and do it well.

My truck has never had a turbo timer. The engine and turbo date from 1986, have covered over 250,000km. Proof to me that they are not needed.

So what have I missed out on by not having a turbo timer?

On your sample of 1 it is conclusive that turbo timers are not needed and the $45 they cost is totally unjustifiable

I think it depends on what turbo it is ?

As I have a Ball bearing turbo and even after the turbo timer shutts the engine down` After a cool down period of a few minutes or so.

You can here the turbo still spinning for about 10 seconds .

So if I was to stop the oil flow after normal driving.

{without a cool down at idel}

The turbo could still be at very high RPM`s

love_mud wrote:[On your sample of 1 it is conclusive that turbo timers are not needed and the $45 they cost is totally unjustifiable

Good luck getting one for $45. Just a point however, I tried to get one fitted to my MU but no can do because it will interfere with the engine immobiliser that is also fitted. If I come back home from town I just coast up the drive than roll in angel gear into the shed, undo my seatbelt, let the dust settle then turn off. My turbo also spins quite loudly for about 10 secs. I think using good oil and doing regular (5000 klm) oil changes will probably do better things than a timer but each to their own.

Vineboy wrote:

love_mud wrote:[On your sample of 1 it is conclusive that turbo timers are not needed and the $45 they cost is totally unjustifiable

Good luck getting one for $45. Just a point however, I tried to get one fitted to my MU but no can do because it will interfere with the engine immobiliser that is also fitted.

My BES timer works perfectly with the Mongoose Alarm/Immob fitted.
To date, I havn't seen a newer turbo model Rocky without one fitted.. So they must be okay.

What can it hurt by using it.... I think its cheap insurance considering how much a new turbo would be.
It's also good if I'm not driving it... as other people might not let it cool down after stopping the car.

love_mud wrote:
On your sample of 1 it is conclusive that turbo timers are not needed and the $45 they cost is totally unjustifiable

The sample size is huge, only a small minority of turbo vehicles are fitted with timers.
You'll find a huge percentage of owners completely ignorant that their vehicle even has a turbo.

Buying and fitting something that's completely unnecessary is, completely unnecessary.

stool wrote: As I have a Ball bearing turbo and even after the turbo timer shutts the engine down` After a cool down period of a few minutes or so.

You can here the turbo still spinning for about 10 seconds .

The turbo will spin whenever the engine does, even with the engine at idle the turbo is doing several thousand rpm. A "cool down" period doesn't change the time your turbo takes to stop spinning.

My Sister's MU's Turbo clapped out at around 170 000 (no turbo timer, never let it cool down) $1500 for a second hand Turbo!

Mum's 80 Series 1HDT has done 350 000k had a turbo timer on it since new and its still goin like a dream.

Ive got a BES Timer on my 60 series just clicked over 362 000k, and shes still boosting fine.

I can quite easily justify a hundred odd bucks for one, ive spent more money on more useless things!!!

But each to their own, its just funny that most diesel mechanics i know swear by them?

my 2c

This debate is much like the Electronic Rust Prevention systems....
People that install them say no rust has formed over the years... but the same car without the system fitted may also have no rust
So is it the ERPS doing the work, or it wouldn't have happened anyways?? It is never safe to say either way.

If it gives you peace of mind at the end of the day, I say get one. I have one and will never get rid of it. It it breaks I will buy a new one. But that's just my opinion.

I recently had an alarm installed on my Rocky and could have went for the much cheaper system, but it wasnt compatible with my turbo timer. I opted for a much better alarm which was compatible with my timer and couldn't be happier.

HotFourOk wrote:This debate is much like the Electronic Rust Prevention systems....
People that install them say no rust has formed over the years... but the same car without the system fitted may also have no rust
So is it the ERPS doing the work, or it wouldn't have happened anyways?? It is never safe to say either way.

If it gives you peace of mind at the end of the day, I say get one. I have one and will never get rid of it. It it breaks I will buy a new one. But that's just my opinion.

I recently had an alarm installed on my Rocky and could have went for the much cheaper system, but it wasnt compatible with my turbo timer. I opted for a much better alarm which was compatible with my timer and couldn't be happier.

X2

Hi Peoples my first post so no flames

Basically I come from the WRX scene, though not your typical rex driver, I was more into track racing. But I recently traded it in on a new hilux.

The main difference between most 4WD turbos and race peformance turbos is that diesel 4WD turbos are still only oil cooled not oil and water cooled.

This means after hard driving it still is essential to cool down the turbo as the bearings are hot and can burn the oil around them. But for general city driving this is not required. For freeway driving where the turbo has been spooling at high speeds, due to the constant load on the car, but not making any real boost a couple of minutes of normal driving or idle should be sweet.

Also a stock diesel is not really to highly tuned as with any stock car. The boost mapping etc take it quite easy on the turbo so if your car is stock I really wouldn't be too concerned

But as previously said, if unsure a turbo timer is a good idea.

KiwiBacon wrote:IMO turbo timers are a gimmick. If they were needed then new vehicles would have them.

Just like tow bars and winches.. there gimmicks to. If they were needed then new vehicles would have them!!

they're definately not a gimmic, i just think i can manage it by myself.(and i'm a self proclaimed tight arse) Anyway if my handbrake could stay adjusted properly for more than a week it would be ok but i don't trust my car not parked in gear!!!

Ruffy wrote:

KiwiBacon wrote:IMO turbo timers are a gimmick. If they were needed then new vehicles would have them.

Just like tow bars and winches.. there gimmicks to. If they were needed then new vehicles would have them!!

I can't recall any dealer offering a turbo timer as a factory option.

Yet towbars and winches are.

luxtce wrote: The main difference between most 4WD turbos and race peformance turbos is that diesel 4WD turbos are still only oil cooled not oil and water cooled.

There's a big difference in exhaust temps between a petrol and diesel. Especially if you're comparing petrol race engines to a diesel.

Diesel exhaust doesn't get much about 700 degrees C (or the pistons melt).
My truck has a turbo inlet exhaust tamp at idel of 130 deg C.
Around town my exhaust temp is 170 degrees C.
100km/h gives an exahust temp of 350 deg C.
The turbo inlet temps have dropped to 150 deg C before the vehicle can coast to a stop.

There are many water jacketed diesel turbos, but also many which are only oil cooled.

KiwiBacon wrote:IMO turbo timers are a gimmick. If they were needed then new vehicles would have them.

but most vehicle manufactures recommend a cool down period before turning off motor. turbo timers are just a convenience.

I love to thrash the crap out of my car` Than just walk away and let the turbo timer do its stuff.

Our New Massey Ferguson 6475 Has a Big Red sticker on the window that says

"For Optimum Turbo-Charger Life"

*On start up allow engine to idle for a few seconds to allow oil cirulation through turbo*
*Allow Engine to Idle for a couple of minutes before Shutting Down*
*RESTART HOT STALLED ENGINE IMMEDIATELY!*

Letting anu turbo charged motor idle for a minute or so cant be a bad thing, we have the turbo timers on all our Turbo vehicles for convinience

KiwiBacon wrote:

luxtce wrote: The main difference between most 4WD turbos and race peformance turbos is that diesel 4WD turbos are still only oil cooled not oil and water cooled.

There are many water jacketed diesel turbos, but also many which are only oil cooled.

Yep, My Rocky turbo has oil and water cooling.

I was reading the FSM for the toyota 2lt (turbo diesal) it recommends a cool down period of 30 to 150 seconds.. (need to replace the seals in my turbo) or clean the oil retyrn line as it may be sludged up.

No oil not even your best synthetic is going to stand up to extemded temps of 550+ degress, even high grade engine oils begin to coke as low as 150 degress celcius.

I.E quickly touching the exhaust to see if it's hot or wrapping you hand around it the temp is the same .. the burn is very different

KiwiBacon wrote:

Ruffy wrote:

KiwiBacon wrote:IMO turbo timers are a gimmick. If they were needed then new vehicles would have them.

Just like tow bars and winches.. there gimmicks to. If they were needed then new vehicles would have them!!

I can't recall any dealer offering a turbo timer as a factory option.

Yet towbars and winches are.

Neither of the above are offered as factory options but rather dealer options. No vehicle manufacturer makes winches do they?
They offer you an aftermarket winch to increase the profit from a POS. I know both the Nissan and Toyota dealer in Geelong will not offer you a turbo timer in there list of accessories but they will fit one if you ask for it. Just as they do not offer you a waceo fridge, roof top tent, dual spare wheel carrier, UHF radio or satn phone but they will sell you one and fit it if you ask for it.
Turbo timers are not a necessity but they are a convenience item.
I strongly recommend them.
Cheers Dan