Turbo Timers

i think as long as it runs the engine for the wanted time, it should not matter what it is or how much it costs.

Laura
I really cannot see any benefit in using a turbo timer. Think about it. How many times do you cruise up the highway at 100 ks and screech to a halt and turn off the motor? Only if you are busting for a pee!! Even then you wouldn't bother switching off. Before you stop anywhere you will find that you have been slowing down, driving thru town or up the driveway for a couple of minutes at a slower speed. Even on the highway you will normally slow down as you approach a stopping place, slowly enter and find a place to pull up. By then the turbo has cooled sufficiently anyway. Unless you are a real hoon , your turbo won't even get warm driving in town. Take note next time out on the road.
Ian

Laura,

Turbo Timers are a bit like lockers, do you really need them.

The idea of a turbo time is to allow the motor of a turbo charged vehicle to idle after the ignition has been turned off. The amount of time that the motor runs for can be set by the driver.

The reason why the motor is allowed to idle is to allow the turbo to spin down, to also cool down and allow engine oil to run through the bearings in the turbo.

On modern turbos they are oil feed from the motor and also water cooled so that they are not getting as hot as the early units.

In most cases by the time you are ready to pull into the driveway at home after driving around the streets at 50kph the motor is not working very hard and the turbo has time to cool and spin down.

There are not too many times that you would be working the motor hard, towing or high speed or both where you would pull up quick and stop the motor straight away.

Apart from the fact that they are still illegal to use a turbo timer and might void a new car warranty.

The illegal part of using the turbo timer is if you lock the vehicle and walk away from it with the motor running and allow the motor to switch off via the turbo timer.

You could sit in the vehicle and allow the motor to turn off using the turbo timer, but you don't need a turbo timer if you are still in the vehicle.

To answer your question I don't think that it would make any difference what type of turbo timer you get although there are some on the market that will read the temperature of the turbo and will run until it has reached a certain temperature and then turn off.

Wayne

so what would be a base temp to reach before turning engine off? if i idle mine for 5min it comes down to about 150 c but driving down road to home then pulling in drive its about 250c. this is a big difference to me.

See ThreadID: 51007



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I worried about the same thing.... but decided to install a pyrometer instead. When I stop somewhere, I let the engine idle down to about 150 deg C before turning the engine off. It only takes a minute or two and IMO is safer than getting out of your vehicle, leaving the engine running, particularly if it's a manual. I get more use from the pyro, as I can monitor the exhaust gas temperature which helps when towing our trailer.

Cheers

Brian

I bought my cruiser with a Turbo Timer fitted, I am wary that if the TT becomes faulty out in the bush, will I be able to start and stop the vehicle, of course if necessary I can disconnect the battery and pull the TT apart but who needs that.

Our TT has a 1, 3 & 5 minute cutoffs driving around town to stop we always use the kill switch on the TT for an immediate engine stop.


Laura I suggest that a TT is not worth having, unless you are doing a lot of high speed/high reving driving.

Peter

My opinon.
Do you need a turbo timer???......NO!
you don't NEED one.
Do you need to idle the engine prior to shut down.......YES.
When i was flying turbo charged planes, the manufacturer stated always pre shut dowon idle times, and this was only to be started once stationary. Even the slightest increase in throttle, although not enough to raise boost level, will always increase the turbine speed.
Turbo's can spin at speeds in excess of 100,000 rpm, not that they usually are when you pull into the drive way, but say maybe 10, or 20, 000 rpm, and think what would happen if you immediately cut the oil supply?
Not only will the bearings wear prematuarly, but the heat generated by spinning without the force feed of engine oil, can damage bushes, and bearings, and stress seals.
I always set 1:30 sec, and find that after this time, EGT's are below 200, and turbo speed is very slow. (pulled intake off and checked visually)
I agree that it is not ideal to leave a vehicle running, locked with no one inside, but i think there is little chance of it going anywhere. It is impossible for a manual to slip into gear, and well if it was going to roll it would engine running or not. As well if it was to catch fire, chances are the higher temps reached during normal driving would more likely to cause it to happen then and not whilst idling.
I do believe they are illegal in some states etc, but so if a lift over 50mm, and changing tire size from factory, and wel washing your car can void some warranties....LOL
Cheers
Wayne-o

Laura
Ain't got one, don't need one ,,, a little common sence can do the job for you, but if you are flogging down the highway, never just pull over and switch off motor, like in the petrol Cruiser.

nothing like a 1-2 minute wind down.

Cheers Bucky

Laura

A Pyrometer would be the go ..it will give you actual turbo temperatures.

Ian is his name, from Thermoguard, think they advertise on Explor Oz

Hope they do ,,,

http://www.thermoguard.com.au/

Try this site

Cheers
Bucky

Laura,

I had a look at the turbo timer on eBay.

It requires wires to be cut and joined. Not real good. This would have to be done by an auto electrician.$$$$

The better units have a plug in system where the OE wire harness is unplugged and the turbo timer plugged in, nice and simple, and if the TT has to come out, just unplug.

Price is not always a factor in how good a product is but this unit is very very cheap. Most of the TT I have seen are about $200.

Wayne

I got mine from Autobarn for $59, easy as to fit just connect to two wires on back of ignition switch and an earth

Gives variable times from 1 sec to 9 mins.
Mine is set at 1min 30sec

Wouldnt be without one despite the comments on here.

Anything that allows motor to cool and Turbo to spool down is an advantage.

I drive Turbo buses and we are made to sit and idle them for several minutes before switching them off.