Do I need a turbo timer ?

Certainly cannot hurt - its a bit like insurance and will only cost several hundred dollars

As long as you are aware that they are 'illegal' and are probably not really necessary on an engine that is severely understressed in standard form, has a water cooled turbo to boot. As long as you are aware that on occasions you need to idle down for a minute or so after say climbing a big hill and then pulling up at a lookout or lunch spot there shouldn't be any worry.
I've had one on a petrol sedan for many years but it is sorely needed as underbonnet and turbo temps are extreme after a hard run, read orange glow under the car at night after stopping!!!

It does not hurt to 'run down' any engine at any time. Just keep it idleing for a couple of minutes if you have been pushing it hard and just pulled over. If you have been doing some slow suburban running for several minutes I would not bother.

Fit an EGT gauge. Then you'll be able to see when things have cooled down enough to switch off !! With the added benefit of monitoring your exhaust temps when dragging the van up long hills..

Had one on my previous 4x4 but none on my current one ??

Think they are a good idea for a bit of peace of mind....can't think of any bad points ( except the price ?? )

Good if you are a bit forgetful, but as said, let it idle for 30secs (or so ) after a hard run !!!

As for illegal, 1/2 the 4x4's on this site are probably illegal ( trye sizes, lifts, etc )..........only thing illegal is leaving the 4x4 running while unattended....mine normally shut down while I was no further than 50M away......I think the only time you would have a problem is if the 4x4 caught fire while it was unattended and the insurance company could find a reason to decline insurance !!!

If a turbo timer is fitted ,can you still turn the engine off in an emergency?
If you cant,then I could see a problem with them being illegal.

Carrying 1.5 tonnes will be illegal anyway so what's one more thing. ;-)

I have had turbos on 2 diesels. The one without a timer had problems and failed after less than 50000Km. The one with a timer has been trouble free (so far at least.) My diesel mechanic strongly recommended a timer and EGT gauge. He claims that when a turbo has been running hot, if the engine is turned off, the oil that has been circulating through the turbo unit simply sits in there and bakes onto the innards and stuffs them up and keeping oil circulating through the turbo until EGT fell below 200C was the answer, especially when running hot in cold conditions. The interior of the unit that failed for me seemed to support this. I had done quite a lot of running in Central Oz in cold winter nights and always just turned the engine off. I now look at the EGT when I stop and decide whether I need to use the timer or not. Any reading over 200C and the timer goes on. I don't know whether the different turbo unit or the procedure gets the credit. Since using the timer/EGT combo in this way I have had no problems and I would fit the same setup again.

Most insurance companies wont allow them.

They are not needed, had one in the GQ, it was a wank.. Not bothering with one in the GU.

Todays modern vehicles use the latest in bearing materials and run on synthetic oils its pretty obvious why all the manufacturers don't fit TT's as a standard accessory.
You will notice its not just Yota that don't fit them!!
Simply speaking you don't need one.

If your really concerned then as others have said just let the vehicle idle after you stop for a minute of two then turn off.

TT Problems,
I am wary of problems with my TT way out in the bush ie I cannot stop the engine. I will need to pull the thing apart and hopefully short out the switch to kill the Turbo Diesel Yota. A challenge I will not enjoy especially at night.

In hindsight would prefer not to have the TT and just idle the engine for a couple of minutes after a long drag of our van.

I have not had a problem yet and don't expect one. but.

Peter

Thank you to all who replied, You have given much food for thought.

Regards to all............BIGDOG

I have TT, I can't lock the car/leave it till the motor stops. I have found one problem though, when I drive around with headlights on, I do this regularly because we live in a semi rural area, and had so many near misses, having the headlights on is a safety issue, for me, anyway and I get out of the car, and hang around for the car to run down, I usually forget about the headlights....and they don't switch themselves off, like some fancy cars....and more then once I have forgotten about the headlights....luckily the battery is forgiving....

My TT can be increased to 5 and 7 minutes, at the moment it is 1 minute

I think most missed the point......any factory turbo will have a sticker somewhere advising to idle the 4x4 after high speed running ( also = heavy towing etc )

All a turbo timer does is do this for you if you're the sort of person who may forget to !!!!!

No engine oil is designed to withstand excessive temps in the turbo housing...hence the idle down signs ( may even be in the handbook )

Only reason manufacturers don't fit them is market demand !!
Not enough people ask for them, so they don't fit them..