Turbo timer

A turbo timer is a device that allows an internal combustion engine to run for a defined time after it has been switched off in order to cool the turbocharger evenly through the continued air flow. This follow-up control for the engine is intended to protect the turbocharger from increased wear and the associated defects.

functionality

When operating a turbocharged engine under full load, the turbocharger can reach temperatures of up to 900 degrees Celsius. A turbo timer lets the engine continue to idle for some time to cool down, even after the ignition has been switched off, and then stop. The intake of fresh air allows the compressor of the turbocharger to cool down in a controlled manner due to the lower gas temperatures in the intake tract , the exhaust system and the oil circuit before the engine stops. During this time, the lubrication of the hydraulic bearing of the loader is guaranteed, so that coking of the bearing due to burning of the lubricating oil is avoided.

If the engine is switched off abruptly after full load, the oil required to lubricate the charger shaft can coke in the turbocharger due to the resulting temperature build-up. The consequence of this would be that the charger wheel could no longer turn properly and the turbocharger could no longer fulfill its function. This can result in reduced engine performance or destroy the charger.

use

With turbochargers in modern automobiles, the use of a turbo timer is not necessary and also unusual. However, it should be ensured that the engine is not exposed to full load situations in the minutes before the vehicle is parked. Corresponding information can be found in most of the vehicle manufacturers' operating instructions.

The use of turbo timers is in some cases still common today in the tuning area or in engines that are subsequently charged to increase performance.

In Germany it is forbidden according to § 30 Abs. 1 StVO to run the engine of a motor vehicle unnecessarily. This applies to both warming up and cooling down.