Turbo timer run time?

[Speed3Rookie]

Just installed my timer and I was wondering what setting most are using. 1 min 2 min or what. My timer has an auto button but it doesn' have a VSSSensor 4+ I have it set to 1.5 run time.
Thanks

 

[assman]

Depends on what you are doing, a casual highway run I set it to 90s. If I had to drive slow around the suburbs to get to a house 60s. If I was ripping it up and then came to a stop somehwere 2min.

I have no science whatsoever for why I do these times but before I had the timer the car seemed to like it when I waited at least these times. And 2 min feels reallllllllly long when your sitting there like a douche.

 

[Speed3Rookie]

So you mannually change your settings according to how you drive?

 

[assman]

Yup. It resets to 30s and I add time as needed up to 10min max.

 

[Capt Crunch]

If I recall correctly, the stock MS3 turbo is water cooled. Why would you need a turbo timer?

 

[schmitty]

From Wikipedia....
After a period of driving when a turbocharger has been working hard, it is important to let the engine run at idle speed for a period of time, allowing the compressor assembly to cool from the lower gas temperatures in both the exhaust and intake tracts. At the same time the lubricating oil from the engine is able to circulate properly so the turbine won't burn the lubricating oil that would otherwise be trapped within the charger with the turbine rotating at high speed.

 

[Capt Crunch]

From Wikipedia....
After a period of driving when a turbocharger has been working hard, it is important to let the engine run at idle speed for a period of time, allowing the compressor assembly to cool from the lower gas temperatures in both the exhaust and intake tracts. At the same time the lubricating oil from the engine is able to circulate properly so the turbine won't burn the lubricating oil that would otherwise be trapped within the charger with the turbine rotating at high speed.

Being water cooled in addition to oil cooled makes the above unnecessary. After you turn off your car the oil stops moving however I'm pretty sure there is a reservoir of coolant that drains through the turbo to cool it after the car is shut off. Old cars were only oil cooled and thus needed turbo timers. All modern cars I know of are also water cooled in the above way and don't need them. Back on the Subaru boards 5-6 years ago we got a response from one of the engineers spelling it out.

 

[oaklandopen]

it says to let the engine sit and run for a little bit in the owner's manual, maybe mazda knows what they're doing when they take the time to write that stuff in the book

 

[skeeter149]

i let it run for a minute. its just like any precautionary mod you do to the car. i did it cause i love the car and if it protects my investment that much longer then its all good.

 

[ericrapp]

The coolant also needs to be pumped until the majority of heat is dissipated, we do not want to coke the oil at the turbo which is the hottest part of motor, I do not not have a turbo timer but I should. based on sensor temperature. I have been told and always do at least one minute. and never drive hard before parking and shutting off. i would prefer for the timer and temp sensor to tell me when it is ok to shut down motor> 2 cents

 

[edrive73]

I have my TT set to 30 secs.

 

[bykeryder4life]

30 to 45 seconds is all you need with a water cooled setup like ours. if you are modded then maybe 45 to 1 min to be safe. any longer isnt necessary and just wastes gas and time

 

[Capt Crunch]

it says to let the engine sit and run for a little bit in the owner's manual, maybe mazda knows what they're doing when they take the time to write that stuff in the book

I didn't know that.

 

[phillyb]

i remember the owner's manual stating to let the car sit for about x number of seconds where x was around 10-20 seconds.

when i get my tt installed, it'll probably be set to around 30 seconds

 

[marashka]

For every turbo car i owned, i had my tt set for 30 seconds for a normal run. After a very hard run though i would manually change it for up to 90 seconds. It may not be absolutely necessary all the time, but adds a piece of mind, plus freaks some ppl out when you leave with keys in your hand and the car is still running.

 

[matsuda]

The coolant also needs to be pumped until the majority of heat is dissipated, we do not want to coke the oil at the turbo which is the hottest part of motor, I do not not have a turbo timer but I should. based on sensor temperature. I have been told and always do at least one minute. and never drive hard before parking and shutting off. i would prefer for the timer and temp sensor to tell me when it is ok to shut down motor> 2 cents

You don't need a turbo timer. Turbo timers are used to prevent bearing damage caused by coking.

1) According to your sig, you use synthetic oil. Synthetic oils wont coke.
2) You said that you never drive hard before parking/shutting off.
3) Read this (near the bottom): http://www.turbobygarrett.com/turbobygarrett/tech_center/faqs.html


Should I run a Turbo Timer?
A turbo timer enables the engine to run at idle for a specified time after the ignition has been turned off. The purpose is to allow the turbo to cool down thus avoiding "coking" ("coking" is burned oil that deposits on surfaces and can lead to blocked passages).
The need for a turbo timer depends on how hard the turbo and engine is used. Running at full speed and full load then immediately shutting down (heat soak) can be extremely hard on a turbo. Water-cooling of the turbocharger's center housing has essentially eliminated the need for turbo timers or extended idling periods.

 

[jville]

For every turbo car i owned, i had my tt set for 30 seconds for a normal run. After a very hard run though i would manually change it for up to 90 seconds. It may not be absolutely necessary all the time, but adds a piece of mind, plus freaks some ppl out when you leave with keys in your hand and the car is still running.

well i have a GT and dont even have keys and pple freak out when i start the car with the keys in the cup holder. its great. but no tt for me. i typically just jam out the last 30-45 seconds of whatever i'm listening to. i try to stay out of the boost right b4 i get wherever anyways.

 

[oaklandopen]

this is a direct quote from a 2007 mazda3 owner's manual (im sure it's the same for the 08's and 08.5's as well). it's in the driving tips section

"after driving at freeway speeds or up a long hill, idle the engine at least 30 seconds to cool the turbo before turning off the engine. avoid simply hutting the engine off abruptly after a hard or long drive. damage to the turbocharger may result"

quick question off topic...does anyone even read their owner's manual anymore?

 

[robin2660]

it says to let the engine sit and run for a little bit in the owner's manual, maybe mazda knows what they're doing when they take the time to write that stuff in the book

To be clear, it does not recommend letting it run for cooling after every drive.

 

[ericrapp]

Thank you for your friendly advice Matsuda!