WichyMazda

Im building a 12A Turbo, and this would be my 1st turbo car, I know that before shutting it off, u got to atleast wait like 1-2 minutes before shutting it off to cool down the turbo, but does anybody know any more tips for me? Tips on how to take care of it basically, any tips would be good. The car is comming out this month(april)... So let me know alright?!!!

Thanks!
WichyMazda

edwin-82/rx7

iTrader: (1)

from what i've heard, take it for a calm ride for 5 or so minutes before you shut it off. letting it run for 1-2 minutes after it stops is going to do nothing but pump hot coolant through the engine and oil through the turbo, since there is nothing but the fan pushing air over the engine. get it moving and cool it down quicker.

fitzwarryne

Ask the question on the single turbo forum, there is far more expertise there.

steve84GS TII

For the most part,a turbo timer or any excessive cool-down time is not needed if the turbo has a wet center cartridge.That is,if the turbo has coolant lines running to the bearing housing.After shutdown,the coolant will continue to flow on its own do to convection current as the engine/coolant changes temp(cools down).The oil pressure will go away after a few seconds,but unless you like to turn off the key while redlining the engine,the turbo shaft will be spinning relatively slow and will stop before the oil has all drained from the center bearing.
Turbos that are only oil cooled lose some of their ability to cool down once the engine shuts off and the oil pressure is gone.They can only dissipate their heat into the air and into the rest of the engine's mass.Since the turbo is very hot,being an exhaust component,the thin oil residue left behind on the turbo will coke and turn solid.This will ruin the turbo bearing over time if the turbo isnt given time to cool down WITH oil pressure present(engine running).Since coolant doesnt drain out of the turbo like the oil,and the fact the coolant even when at its max temperature is many,many hundreds of dgrees cooler than the turbo itself,it actively draws heat away from the turbo as it circulates though the engine/radiator.
Its still a good idea to drive calmly during the last few minutes before you shut down.This gives everything time to return to a more "normal" temp if youve been flogging the engine beforehand.I drive hard on the backroads on my way home from work,but once I get into town I have a few blocks to go where I just drive easy.Plus I usually let it idle while I roll the windows up and close the sunroof,grab my jacket,pop my stereo face,ect.

seanrot

iTrader: (2)

lmao, he did they sent him here

fitzwarryne

Seanrot- I note that it was you on the turbo forum who advised him to come to this forum if he was turboing a 12A.

On that forum, as also on this, WicthyMazda said he was building a turbo. This is why the response was he should first learn about how to build and install a turbo before worrying about a timer.

In fact, as WitchyMazda said later. he was not building it but the work was being done by an experienced rotary mechanic. All such good mechanics would automatically advise him about how to use the particular modification when he picked up the car. Its not only sound customer relations, but minimises the chance of incorrect use, failure, and an irate customer.

Ask your builder what he has done, and how you should use it.

fitzwarryne

Steve84- thats very good advice on allowing the engine to idle over before shutting down. It really is important with the original 12A T turbo which is only oil cooled. When the engine was first dropped in production RX-7s there was a problem as Japanese 'racers' love to rev up before switching off for the benefit of the audience.

steve84GS TII

I hear diesel truck guys do that all the time and the damn turbo will spool down out the tailpipe for quite a while afterwards.Being a diesel/tractor mechanic,I just wanna slap the taste out their mouth and take their trucks!
I used to rev up before shutdown back in the "non turbo-carb" days,just for the shot-gun backfire (I hated my neighbors!).Cant really do that now with EFI since the injectors cut off with the key, and I like my turbo bearings tight!

therotaryrocket

i figured i'd mention, higher octane fuel is usually necesary or a good idea. and while your first driving it, listen for knocking or pinging, indicating something was done right. oh yeah, and limit your drifting, or hard g-force turns with less than 1/8 of a tank of gas, because when you run lean turbo engines can blow out from detonation.

seanrot

iTrader: (2)

Ok, I hear ya, but you missed a little something. I did advise him to come to the first gen section, I didnt say anything about posting. I referred him to the archives and the search function. I might add that he only got three responces in the "single turbo section". Only mine being the slightest bit helpfull. Just to say minus this post I think he got alot more info here. We in the first gen section seem to be a much nicer group of people. So, I still get to sit here and LMAO

fitzwarryne

Seanrot- there is or should be more expertise on the turbo forum on turbo problems. However, there is more friendliness and less arogance here!

What I was getting at was try to be more specific in your question.

In fact it is an important question, 30 years ago when we were first trying out turbos in cars it was all trial and error. I blew a couple of engines and wrecked several turbos out of ignorance. Since then there has been great advances in oil technology, intercoolers and turbo timers. After resently researching using a 12A T, I am being far more conservative than just sticking on a turbo and waiting for the bang!

jasrx

i just make sure i dont bring my car on boost about 4klms from home , and just cruise home , and let it run for 30 secs [ thats what the timer is set to] and my to4e/66 is water and oil cooled.

fitzwarryne

jasrx- sound advice, but why did you select 30 seconds for your timer?

WichyMazda

I appriciate the advices guys, good looking out! Thanks!

Algod

my turbo starting leaking oil. is there any specific spots i can check before i take on this task

Algod

my turbo started leaking oil. is there any specific spots i can check before i take on this task

jrs10

Whoa, watch out... attempted thread hijacking.

IMHO, if you've been driving hard (On boost a lot) then let it cool for a minute or 2 before shutting down... just as its been said, an oil cooled TCU will need some time to cool down so the oil in the bearing doesn't "coke up". However the best bet is to drive easy for the last mile or so, let the motor run while you take off yer seatbelt, grab yer smokes, close the windows, etc... 30 seconds later shut it off and you'll be fine.