I understand turbo heat sink and why shutting the truck off without allowing the turbo to cool can burn up the oil. I read a few articles where the writer discussed seeing high turbo temps and having to wait to shut off the truck. My question is, where do you monitor turbo temps? Is that an aftermarket guage or something? Sorry for all the recent questions, but I just bought my truck (my first diesel), and haven't gotten an owner's manual or anything yet (on order).

 

Whenever you see the term EGT it is referring to Exhaust Gas Temp.
This is what we use to determine the temp of the turbo.

You monitor it with an Exhaust Gas Temperature guage, sometimes referred to as a Pyro (short for Pyrometer)

I'll move this over to Performance and Accessories where it is discussed quite a bit.


phox

 

One of the more esential gauges for a turbo diesel powered rig is Pyrometer.
It recieves it's temperature signal from a Thermocouple probe installed in the exhaust system.
some prefer to install it Post-Turbo in the downpipe, however the prefered location is Pre-Turbo in the exhaust manifold runner before the turbo flange.

<edit> I seem to be eating Phox's dust all over the forums tonight........

 

Got it. I'm planning on getting gauges put in soon (tranny/EGT/fuel pressure), so that should be taken care of. Is turbo longevity something I should be concerned with enough that I should consider a turbo timer among my first mods? My truck will stay stock for the time being, with a chip and maybe and exhaust somewhere in the future.

 

IMHO, you don't need a turbo timer.

It doesn't take long at all to cool down to the neighborhood of 300 degrees, the accepted shut down temp.

Even if you shut down at the rest stop at the top of OMHYGAWD hill,
it still shouldn't take longer than a minute or two to cool down.

I only use the turbo timer function of my alarm to keep it running while I run into the convenience store,
that way I can take my keys with me lest they drive away with the truck.


phox

 

http://dodgeram.org/tech/dsl/FAQ/turbo_faq.htm

 

Thanks, that's a good chunk of information.

 

Question: I tow a trailer during the summer. Is there any special cooldown needed?

Cummins: If you are towing heavy loads this summer, you should let the engine idle for a three- to five-minute cooldown after extended full-throttle or high-power operation. However, under normal driving conditions like simply exiting a highway, a cooldown isn’t needed.