Q:
Why do I need to cool my turbo down?
A: Turbochargers need to be cooled down because oil that is allowed
to sit uncirculated into hot turbo bearings gets cooked into a carbon
coating. These carbon deposits are known as "coke". If
enough "coke" builds up in your turbo bearings, they will
seize which will then necessitate the need for a new turbo.
Q:
Do I have to cool the turbo in my car or truck?
A: All manufacturers of turbocharged vehicles recommend that you
cool the turbo before you shut off the engine.
Q:
How do you cool a turbo?
A: Cooling a turbo is very simple - just let your engine idle before
shutting it off. This allows oil to circulate through the turbo
bearings to carry away excess heat.
Q:
How long does it take to cool a turbo?
A: The amount of time it takes to cool a turbo varies depending
on how the vehicle is being driven. The harder a vehicle has been
worked, the longer it takes to cool. In general, turbo cooling can
take anywhere from 1 minute (example: easy city driving) to 15 minutes
(hard driving and/or heavy towing) depending on conditions.
Q:
Do turbos fail frequently?
A: Simply put, if you DON'T cool your turbo down it can be put that
it is in "the constant state of failure". The lack of
proper cooling is constantly laying down layers of carbon in the
bearings and they will eventually seize. How fast and thickly these
layers are deposited in the bearings depends on many variables.
We have had customers tell us that they have replaced turbos anywhere
from as little as 10,000 miles to as much as 100,000 miles.
Q:
Will using synthetic oil eliminate the need to cool my turbo?
A: Synthetic oil does give you a margin of error in that they will
not "coke" until a higher temperature than conventional
oils. However, the temperatures in which turbos operate can still
"coke" synthetic oils in exactly the same manner as conventional
motor oils.
Q:
If my bearings fail, how much does a new turbo cost?
A: To replace or rebuild your turbocharger WILL cost you thousands
of dollars. Not to mention the inconvenience of being stuck with
a vehicle that is down. In comparison, Diesel Turbo Lifesaver is
cheap insurance.
Q:
Can seizing a turbo REALLY cause total engine meltdown?
A: Yes it can. A seized turbo causes a major obstruction in both
the intake and exhaust systems of the engine. If you try to drive
with this type of double restriction, internal engine temperatures
can soar (remember the fact that you are still burning fuel) to
the point where your aluminum pistons will melt and cause the entire
engine to fail.
Q:
How does the Diesel Turbo Lifesaver cool the turbocharger
down?
A: All manufacturers of turbocharged vehicles recommend cooling
the turbo by idling the engine before shutdown. Diesel Turbo Lifesaver
automatically idles your engine for the engine run time as selected
by the user.
Q:
Why doesn't Diesel Turbo Lifesaver monitor an exhaust gas
temperature (EGT) pyrometer?
A: Not all diesel truck owners have, or want to, install pyrometers
and /or gauges.
A: To compensate for differences in pyrometers and provide
a way to set shutoff temperature, a device that monitors pyrometers
requires a "trimpot". Trimpots represent a design
flaw in that they may change value with age, temperature,
humidity, and VIBRATION (road ,engine or other types). This
flaw may cause the shutoff temperature to constantly vary,
and in extreme cases may never shut the engine off.
A: Possible owner / installer error when adjusting trimpot.
If turbo cool down temp is set overly low (say 200 degrees
F in cool ambient temperatures), then the vehicle will not
shut off when in high ambient temperatures. The combination
of hot intake air (desert air can reach 130 degrees F!) that
is warmed by combustion will never let an idling engine's
EGT reach a point low enough to shut off. Even if the installer
sets the trimpot correctly, there is no guarantee the owner
of the vehicle will not readjust it and cause such an error
since he thinks "cooler is ALWAYS better". NOTE:
Due to trimpot error, today's correct adjustment may be incorrect
tomorrow!
A: Time is time
- and it never varies. The microcomputer inside Diesel Turbo Lifesaver
has it's own built in clock. Don't confuse this computer with integrated
circuits with timer trimpots. Again, you are at the mercy of a trimpot.
When you set Diesel Turbo Lifesaver, time WILL pass, and your engine
WILL shut off when it is supposed to.
Q:
Isn't monitoring a pyrometer more accurate than time?
A: Theoretically, yes. BUT that is only in theory. Most people
(including people who sell and install gauges and pyrometers)
do not realize that pyrometer based systems are only truly
accurate at the temperature in which the gauge and thermocouple
were calibrated. Therefore, with a pyrometer based system,
at anything other than calibration temperature, your turbo
may be being shut off PREMATURELY. If your turbo might not
be cooled properly, why buy a pyrometer based system?
A: We could easily
program our internal computer to digitally read both ambient temperature
and EGT, and compare the two to determine an ideal turbo shutoff
temperature. BUT . . . pyrometers do fail . . . the temperature
sensor could fail . . . where is the temperature sensor mounted?
. . . is it in the sun, or in the shade? . . . more parts, more
to go wrong. One quickly gets a "feel" how hot the turbo
is and can set the idle time of Diesel Turbo Lifesaver with uncanny
accuracy.
Q:
Is Diesel Turbo Lifesaver safe?
A: YES! Diesel Turbo Lifesaver has many safety features built into
it. The most important of which is the ability to cancel an engine
idle cycle at any time.
Q:
Is Diesel Turbo Lifesaver safe to use with manual transmission
vehicles?
A: YES! The computer in Diesel Turbo Lifesaver allows it to be used
on manual transmission vehicles as well as those with automatic
transmissions.
Q:
Is the Diesel Turbo Lifesaver difficult to install?
A: NO! Diesel Turbo Lifesaver can be installed by the average do-it-yourselfer.
We supply our installations kits with VEHICLE SPECIFIC instructions
that make installation virtually mistake proof for most people.
If you consider low (or in most cases no) installation costs, the
Diesel Turbo Lifesaver is not only the BEST, but the most ECONOMICAL
unit on the market!
Q:
Does Diesel Turbo Lifesaver do anything else?
A: YES! Standard on every unit is a security switch that prevents
the vehicle from being started . . . . even if a thief has a key!
Since this feature controls fuel flow to the engine, it allows you
to spin the oil pump of the motor, without firing it, allowing you
to PRE LUBE your engine after oil changes or long periods without
use (Most vehicles).
Q:
Is Diesel Turbo Lifesaver compatible with power modules, chips
or programmers?
A: YES! Diesel Turbo Lifesaver acts like a second igition key for
your vehicle. Diesel Turbo Lifesaver runs your engine exactly as
the ignition key does. Therefore, we are 100% compatible with power
chips, modules, or programmers.
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