Turbo question (vehicle, idle, truck, engine)

[trlhiker]

I remember back in the 80's when turbo's became popular especially by Chrysler, that you had to let the vehicle idle for up to a minute before shutting off to allow the turbo to spool down and cool off, is this still the case with the newer turbo's? Thanks.

[cdelena]

I have been told that the combination of better integrated oiling and improved oils eliminate the need for a cool down.

[BigJon3475]

There is no need, unless you just got done spooling it up. The pathways for oil and coolant, along with better bearing technology (ball bearings), has pretty much eliminated the need for the turbo to cool down (turbo timer).

Although it's not a bad idea to idle for safety measures if you just got done with a strong acceleration or if you have a custom setup with larger turbo/s.

[TheViking85]

Like BigJon said, on normal day to day driving there's no need for a cool down period, but it is advisory to do so if you have been driving hard, alternately you can cruise around on low revs for a while to cool it too, again, if you've been pushing it.

[Mac_Muz]

I have a 85 turbo Volvo and I still allow it 30 seconds to cool down and slow. Same turbo as the day it came off the show room floor. I still abide the rule of change the oil change the oil change the oil too. Of course this is a vintage turbo.

I have acess to a 96' diesel truck with a cummings and it has turbo and I allow that the same things.. Turbo's just get some nasty hot, and letting them cool off so they don't scorch oil and turn it to varnish, just makes sence.

[BigJon3475]

I don't think, today, it's the breakdown of oil.

It's more likely the warping of the turbo housings, bearings, and turbo wheel since the housings are made of non-ferrous metals these days.

[frankgn87]

This only has to be done way back when turbos has NO oil cooling.. The 944 turbo, early Chryslers and a few others.. Otherwise its not needed

[Mac_Muz]

I dunno... My 85 volvo has a cast iron turbo fed both oil and coolant. It remains un rebuilt so far.

So far as i know heat still breaks down oils. I run a Kawii Nomad which shares engine oil with the tranny too, and I can feel the difference in worn out Mobil 1 full syn oil in shifting. So that tells me full syn oil wears out too. There is a lot more wear on oil shared with a tranny.

I also know that cast iron case gets hot enough that if you are a dubba like me, and spill oil on it that oil will flash fire in a heart beat. That's some hot mista'.

[BigJon3475]

You're right about heat breaking down oil, along with everything else in the universe.

I just meant the turbos don't get as hot as they used to.

That doesn't mean they can't though in pure power or performance cases.

In terms of everyday driving and the autos that get warrantied today, the turbos run much cooler.

EGT of 1300°F are not uncommon under heavy full acceleration loads.

[sailordave]

At a local walmart parking lot was a hot car when I was in school,...Dodge Shadow ES Turbo. One of the hottest looking K cars made with performance to match (by 1980s standards). One I still haven't seen in person was the Dodge GLH. it was a Dodge Omni (thing 1980s VW Rabbit) with improved suspension and turbo power and approved by Carrol Shelby.