Do you need an after market turbo timer on a new car?

If it needed one the manufacturer would have fitted one. I think they are illegal in most states.

Boo Boo,

Never fitted one to my vehicle and have never had any dramas.
I'm no mechanic but from my observations seems they are mostly fitted to older diesels.

Thanks for the info fellas.

I'll spend the money on something useful.

Just one more thing to break down when you least expect it to and possibly stranding you in the middle of know where!! Michael

Hi all, used to work for turbo timer manufacturer, Theory is; red hot turbo if turned off, the oil to the bearings will crystallize in small deposits, its progressive not dramatic ( until it goes), ADR say when key is turned off the engine will stop immediately, there fore not legal technically. Had few stories of old matey put truck into shed, turn off key, foot off clutch, straight through wall. Best tip idto cool turbo by slowing last part of your trip, idle for short time before shut down, EGT gauge would help. Hope this helps.

They are actually useful when for instance you have been running hard and decide to stop and turn the motor off without letting it idle down.

Turbo temps are hot enough to boil the oil if it is not circulating and therefore it pays to let the motor idle for a minute or so till the turbo temp gets down under 200c
My EGT registered 325c normally and in 90 secs would cut back to under 200 so I had mine set to that.
As far as stranding you is concerned you can disconnect it in about 5 mins or if needed just cut and wind the two wires together.
It is illegal to leave a car unattended with the motor running but I did it in front of a cop and he never said anything.

Not to say one may have a different view on a bad day LOL

From what I have researched, it can only do your car good.

Premature turbo failures are almost all tracable back to running very hot and not cooling down fbefore shutting down.
Thing is, it is BIG $$ to replace them on modern cars.

An the reason original manufacturers do not install them is because of legal isues, but there is no doubt that it is good for your car. Yes, it is illegal to run your car whilst away from it, that becomes your choice. I have never heard of anyone actually getting booked for this.

Modern synthetic oils are built to deal with high temps and new generation bearing materials work to alleviate the issue of hot shut down on modern turbos.

Me I just let the truck idle for a minute of so before turning off, easy as.

If you do happen to turn it off quickly after coming to a stop when it is hot a few times, I wouldnt let it worry you.

Thermoguard EGT guage is more useful than the turbo timer,it will indicate how hard your motor is working.You will be surprised how quickly temperatures rise when pulling a trailer or going uphill.Make sure it does not exceed 700c, if fitted before the turbo....not likely on factory tuned specs.Normal running is around 400c so I usually switch off at 250 or below.... some times it takes some patience.

You will find in the owners manual a suggested set of idle down times. For example Toyota recommend 2" if you have been towing and/or running at >100kph for any amount of time.

Check with your insurance company on this and I suggest you will find they would not be supportive with cover to start with and in most State/Territory they have been suggested to be illegal but I have not seen any legislation that is specific. But as mentioned in this thread if you leave your vehicle running and unattended that is illegal and therefore not insurable.

I suggest you could put the money to better use with your DMax

Regards

RobA

If you install an EGT there are two options

A pre turbo in the inlet manifold

B Post turbo in the dump pipe.

Cost of A would be many times B

Difference is that the temp pre turbo would be approx 200c more than the temp in B

I took the cheap way and it worked fine.

Just always remember to add 200 to whats showing on the gauge.

I never took mine much over 500c as pistons tend to melt a bit over 800c especially certain Nissan ones LOL

Hottest I ever took mine was about 515 on the Willunga Hill one very hot day.

Had to drop back to second and just creep over to keep it sane.

Engine temp had gone up from normal 73c to nearly 100c

The water temp gauge in the Cruiser had hardly moved so you cant rely on that.

IMHO an EGT is the best thing I added to the car.

For the $75 it cost me I also had a turbo timer and depite the haters it was worthwhile