GTIguy

Just a couple simple questions:

After running the turbo for any length of time, is it proper to let idle for at least a min or two?

Also will my boost be affected by any sort of exaust leak? I dont know when the boost should be executing but it seems to kick in an aweful lot..

Thanks
-Evan

rotary>piston

as long as you don't overboost, don't worry.
Letting it idle just makes the turbo last longer by allowing it to cool before shutting it off.

Evil Aviator

Yes, letting the engine idle before shut-down will allow the oil and coolant to continue flowing through the turbo. If you shut down the engine immediately, then the oil and coolant get shut off, which lets the turbo cook until it cools down on its own. You only need to let the engine idle if you have been driving very hard and then come to an immediate stop. Simply driving on the street while not making boost will also cool down the turbo just as well, so you don't need to let the engine idle if you have been driving very lightly for a minute or two.

You can buy a turbo timer that keeps the engine running for a minute or two after you remove the key. This is handy if you absolutely must race the car, slam on the brakes and stop in a parking spot, and jump out of the car to go to work, school, etc. IMO 99% of the time a turbo timer is a waste of money because very few people race their car from point A to point B in such a drastic manner. There is usually at least some type of cool-down time while driving through a neighborhood or parking lot before parking your car.

Yes, your boost could be affected by an exhaust leak, but there will be a lot of noise if the leak is large, and I don't think it will increase the frequency of the boosting as much as the level. Some muffler shops will check for leaks for free, so it may be worth your time to give one a call and see if they offer free checkouts.

dr0x

The only reason I got mine is because Im usually running a bit late for work and bag on my car pretty hard until I get there so Im not late.

BlackRx7

LOL me too, get an aftermarket gauge if it rises above 8-10 psi I'd be worried if you have the stock fuel system..EVIL knows what he is talking about I spent 65 bux on my TT and if I'm not boosting I just push the button that shuts the car off..just don't boost and shut the car off less than 1 min after..

NZConvertible

Dead right. With water-cooled turbos like ours driving the last mile or so using minimal boost is all you need to bring the turbo's core temp down to safe levels. In fact cruising at suburban speeds is better for cooling than when stationary because of the increased airflow and coolant flow.
I'd only recommend turbos timers for older cars with turbos that aren't water-cooled.