Turbo Timer Information
If you drive a turbocharged car, using a turbo timer could be a great investment toward increasing the quality of the engine. There are multiple types of manufacturers of the device that offer different settings, depending on what fits your turbocharger best.
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Basics
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Turbo timers are mechanical devices that are used in turbocharged cars. They enable cars to idle for a certain amount of time before turning the engine off.
Function
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Having a turbo timer is the solution to cooling down the engine. The turbo time wires into the ignition to allow the car to run for a few minutes and causes the turbo to properly cool down.
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Useful Information
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Generally the shafts on turbochargers can spin in excess of 50,000 RPMs (sometimes more) and use lots of heat. To control the heat, coolant (oil or water) is used to circulate around the shaft, cooling the engine down. However, the shaft is free to rotate and there is no way to stop it from spinning once the engine is turned off. Most manufacturers suggest that the heat in the turbocharger be stabilized by allowing the car to be idle for a period of time.
Warning
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It is important to reduce the temperature of the turbocharger. Failure to cool it off could result in oil around the shaft "coking," which is simply the baking of oil. It can turn hard and plug up the oil lines, causing oil "starvation," which normally results in a shorter lifespan of the turbocharger.
Manufacturers
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Turbo timer manufacturers include Blitz, GReddy, HKS, Levoc and Razo. The Blitz turbo timer features a voice-guided timer where it gives a voice announcement of its settings. The GReddy device features two different idle timers that can be preset for a user's convenience, while the HKS and Levoc devices have their own unique idle time settings. The Razo device also has two preset cool-down settings and a parking brake safety mechanism.
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References
- Photo Credit turbo image by Elijahu from Fotolia.com
