What’s a Turbo Timer, and Do You Really Need One?
Had a fair few people come in lately, usually after hooning around the Cambridge bypass or stuck in Te Rapa traffic, asking what a turbo timer actually is, and if they need one on their car. Real talk? It’s a gadget you fit to your car that keeps the engine running for a set time after you turn the key off. Lets oil and coolant keep flowing through your turbo, giving it a chance to cool down slowly. That can mean the difference between a turbo that lasts for ages, or one that wears out way too soon. Simple idea, really handy especially after heaps of stop-start driving in Hamilton or a big run between Morrinsville and Raglan.
Why Bother With a Turbo Timer?
We see it heaps – turbocharged cars just getting shut off right away after a push up Peachgrove Road or crawling over Dinsdale’s speed bumps. Bad move. When you turn your engine straight off after a hard drive, the oil feeding your turbo stops dead, but that turbo is still roasting hot. Oil stuck inside cooks into carbon, gums up the bearings, and you’re heading for a turbo rebuild – or worse. Doesn’t matter if you’re in a turbo Subaru Outback, Mazdaspeed Atenza, or something a bit spicy like a Peugeot 308 GTi, the effect’s the same. We’ve even seen it on those little Daihatsu Terios and the odd SsangYong, too.
What Happens If You Don’t Give Your Turbo a Chance to Cool?
Your turbo relies on exhaust gases to spin a turbine, cramming more air into the engine so you’ve got more grunt when you need it. That’s why those turbos spin crazy fast – like 180,000 rpm in some models. They get ferociously hot during regular driving, especially dodging potholes through Nawton or giving it a nudge on the expressway. Thing is, kill the engine too soon and all that heat hangs around, burning the oil inside and causing carbon buildup. That messes up the bearing, blocks the oil flow, and in no time your turbo’s whining, leaking, or worse. Even on a tidy Kia Sorento or Citroën C4, it’s the same ugly story. Down the track, we end up replacing seals or the whole turbo, usually for a big bill.
Do You NEED a Turbo Timer Here in Hamilton?
Honestly? It’s not a must-have for every turbo car. If you’re patient and happy to let your engine idle for a couple minutes in your driveway or while waiting for the lights at Five Cross Roads, you’re basically doing the job yourself. But real life’s busy, aye? Picking up the kids in Rototuna, in a rush to get to Glenview, you forget. That’s where a turbo timer is gold. It’s a bit of peace of mind, especially with our weird Hamilton weather – hot one day, freezing the next, bit of fog rolling in from Gordonton. Turbo timers work for anyone, especially if you’ve got a habit of jumping out as soon as you’re parked. It’s smart insurance to avoid premature wear and save on repair bills later.
Turbo Timer Installation in Hamilton
Seen plenty of turbos cooked by neglect over the years. If you want to keep yours running sweet, a turbo timer’s a simple, solid upgrade. Even if you’re running a hybrid these days, there’s a way to protect your investment. Want advice, or looking to book in for a turbo timer installation Hamilton wide? Give us a bell at Grimmer Motors. Our techs know their way around all sorts – from Toyotas to Audis, Nissans, Volvos, even those rarer Suzuki Swifts Sports or Hyundai i30N’s. Swing by, and we’ll get it sorted so your turbo’s set for NZ roads, not the scrap heap.