Turbo Etiquette

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churchie386
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Turbo Etiquette

Post by churchie386 » Sun Mar 14, 2021 1:07 pm

Following a spirited drive home from fetching the Sunday papers in my not-yet-Alpina, I pondered the correct approach to warming down a turbo engine.

At a track, one undertakes a warm down lap or two, followed by an idle for a couple of minutes. On a casual drive, I just let it idle for a minute before switching off. On a spirited drive, last mile warm down followed by couple of minutes idling. Haveing owned various 2.0l turbo cars, these practices have always served me well and I've never had any turbos fail.

Should a 3.0l turbo Alpina be treated any differently in this regard?
Present & Past: Alpina D3BT (F31); Alpina D3 S (G21); Subaru Forester XT (SG 2.0); Porsche 718 Cayman; Golf R (Mk7); 911 (997.2); 911 (996); Subaru WRX STI (Hatch); Alpina D3BT (E90); BMW 330i (E91); Elise (S1); Skoda Fabia VRS (Mk1); Peugeot 106 GTi; Skoda Octovia VRS (Mk2 estate); Subaru Impreza WRX (Wagon); Subaru Impreza Turbo (Wagon); Lancia Delta Integrale Evo; Golf VR6; Peugeot 205 GTi 1.9; BMW M3 (E30); Peugeot 106 GTi; Renault Clio 16v; Peugeot 205 GTi 1.9; Escort Mk3; Escort Mk1

Yad3100
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Re: Turbo Etiquette

Post by Yad3100 » Sun Mar 14, 2021 1:52 pm

I would agree with the approach of doing a cooling down lap on track, you should in any car to cool brakes and transmission anyway. (I have burnt myself trying to change a wheel bearing on Marcs time attack car a full 30m after the session ended)

On the road the temps are not as severe even with a spirited drive, but it’s also a good idea to do the last few miles at a slower pace to let everything cool down.

Personally I think the long idle of a hot engine does little to reduce oil temps as the air flow is generally not passing through the cooler, although an electric fan may be cooling water temps. Turbos need good quality oil and regular changes is used aggressively, as it’s the oil breaking down that hurts the turbo bearings, heat being a factor in this. I have always used motorsport spec oils in my turbo Fords.

My alpina and M3 both have oil temp gauges so I rely on that.
Adam
Alpina XD3 #193
Alpina C2 2.7 #0525
E36 M3 Saloon
E30 track car M52

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Rav
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Re: Turbo Etiquette

Post by Rav » Sun Mar 14, 2021 2:33 pm

When I had my Porsche 944 turbos - I would always allow them at least three/four minutes of idle when i got home after a run.
I installed a turbo timer shortly after which kept the engine running after I took the key out of the car and allowed the car to run for up to 10 mins after I have removed the key and locked the car.

I had so many people running after me "mate you left your car on".
1999 #032 Alpina B3 3.3 saloon (UK Press Car) - Buchloe Beast
2000 Porsche Boxster S - Viola
2015 Audi A4 Avant Ultra - Wife's car
2002 VW Lupo 1.4 16v - Daughter's car

simon13
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Re: Turbo Etiquette

Post by simon13 » Sun Mar 14, 2021 6:36 pm

the e34 bi turbos have an electric water pump by the turbos to help cool them after the engines switched off
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ttrill
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Re: Turbo Etiquette

Post by ttrill » Sun Mar 14, 2021 8:09 pm

I always use the last few miles of my journey as a cool down for the last few miles, my D3 doesn't have any temp gauges which is annoying so on the hottest days I usually run a OBDII app with coolant temps (still can't get oil) if it's a nice drive ;)
Toby

2011 D3BT #454
2019 440i Gran Coupe

Rav
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Re: Turbo Etiquette

Post by Rav » Sun Mar 14, 2021 9:30 pm

Toby - running the OBDII tool to see coolant temp etc is a fantastic idea. I will set this up in my car - although its not a turbo, I can check various temps pressures whilst on the move.
1999 #032 Alpina B3 3.3 saloon (UK Press Car) - Buchloe Beast
2000 Porsche Boxster S - Viola
2015 Audi A4 Avant Ultra - Wife's car
2002 VW Lupo 1.4 16v - Daughter's car

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