Question: Turbo dos and don'ts - Toyota Nation Forum : Toyota Car and Truck Forums

brink · 08-17-2003, 10:54 AM

This is mostly out of curiosity cause I don't drive a car with a turbo, however I was talking with a friend who just got a turbo 300zx and realized that there are at least a few things you need to know if you're turboed but not a lot of people DO know about them.

For example, he was unaware that you needed to let the motor run for a bit after driving around in order to let oil run through it and cool off the turbo (if you don't have a turbo timer). Also that you shouldn't get on the throttle real hard right after starting, cause you need to let the turbo warm up first.

My question is, what else is good operating advice? Is it okay to use engine braking on a turbo motor? Should one change the oil at more frequent intervals? Things like that.

Flashmn · 08-17-2003, 01:30 PM

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For example, he was unaware that you needed to let the motor run for a bit after driving around in order to let oil run through it and cool off the turbo (if you don't have a turbo timer). Also that you shouldn't get on the throttle real hard right after starting, cause you need to let the turbo warm up first.

Well you can just run at a low engine speed the last few kilometers, instead of idling at a parkinglot... or do both. But the main thing is to let the turbo cool down slightly, so the oil wont cook in the bearings although modern oils are very resistant to this. Also some cars have a built in cooling system that is automatic (saabs have it).

Engine braking is ok, no worries with that.

Well you should idle it slightly before leaving, let the oils circulate before heading off to the street and hitting boost. Keep a good airfilter in the car, foreign object damage is VERY bad... Compressor blades get damaged bad.

DIRTBIKEZ · 08-18-2003, 01:31 AM

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let the motor run for a bit after driving around

Good practice especially if its been run hard... if you dont, at least let it idle down before shutting off the ignition.

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you shouldn't get on the throttle real hard right after starting

Obviously this applies to all engines, as well as many other things. **Thermal expansion**

Engines with oil cooled turbos have the potential to burn more oil oil than those which are water cooled or NA.

Flashmn · 08-18-2003, 03:06 AM

Well you dont have to tell me these facts.. I already know them

arcasmachineracing · 08-18-2003, 09:41 AM

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Originally posted by Flashmn
Well you dont have to tell me these facts.. I already know them

heh... good post for teh honduh forums.

DIRTBIKEZ · 08-18-2003, 11:01 AM

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Well you dont have to tell me these facts.. I already know them

Well than clearly that reply was not for you.

Flashmn · 08-18-2003, 11:49 AM

Hehehe... well... I guess so

88 LE · 08-19-2003, 06:01 PM

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Originally posted by DIRTBIKEZ
Engines with oil cooled turbos have the potential to burn more oil oil than those which are water cooled or NA.

Uhh.... Turbos need oil to lubricate the bearings. No oil = seized bearings, blown seals, and blown turbo.

Some turbos also have water cooling.

DIRTBIKEZ · 08-19-2003, 11:11 PM

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Uhh.... Turbos need oil to lubricate the bearings.

Thats what I said.:p

***Tony the Tiger*** · 08-20-2003, 06:30 AM

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Engines with oil cooled turbos have the potential to burn more oil oil than those which are water cooled or NA

Dirtzbikez, it seems like the above statement is implying that a turbo which is oil cooled will tend to consume oil, while a watercooled turbo or NA will consume less. The key however, is that there is no such thing as a "watercooled" turbo only... Turbos either come with oil cooled cartridge, or oil cooled AND water cooled

So either way I look at your statement, it doesn't hold true. Regardless of water/oil cooled or just oil cooled, it will consume the same amount of oil anyway.

I know I am just being picky, but I just had to point it out to clear up the crap between you and 88LE

DIRTBIKEZ · 08-20-2003, 08:43 AM

Ok, now I see.

Thanks Tony,

Sorry 88LE,

idrivemyself · 08-20-2003, 07:08 PM

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Originally posted by 88 LE

Uhh.... Turbos need oil to lubricate the bearings. No oil = seized bearings, blown seals, and blown turbo.

Some turbos also have water cooling.

you'd assume this is one of those things that never needs to be cleaned or re-lubed, unless you have holes in your air filter

, but is there a time when the turbo's bearings and spindle need to be re-lubed? prior to it seizing of course.

alltrac165 · 08-21-2003, 11:12 AM

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Originally posted by idrivemyself

you'd assume this is one of those things that never needs to be cleaned or re-lubed, unless you have holes in your air filter , but is there a time when the turbo's bearings and spindle need to be re-lubed? prior to it seizing of course.

Turbos are plumbed into the engine oil system.

88 LE · 08-21-2003, 04:30 PM

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Originally posted by Tony the Tiger
Dirtzbikez, it seems like the above statement is implying that a turbo which is oil cooled will tend to consume oil, while a watercooled turbo or NA will consume less.

Thats how I interpreted his post.

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I know I am just being picky, but I just had to point it out to clear up the crap between you and 88LE

88 LE · 08-21-2003, 04:37 PM

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Originally posted by idrivemyself
you'd assume this is one of those things that never needs to be cleaned or re-lubed, unless you have holes in your air filter , but is there a time when the turbo's bearings and spindle need to be re-lubed? prior to it seizing of course.

Turbos need a constant supply of oil to lubricate the bearings. The oil supply / feed to the turbo is plumbed off the engine like alltrac165 said.

The bearings and seals do eventually wear out, but turbos can be rebuilt.