Innova Diesel Turbo Lifesaver FAQs

Why do I need to cool my turbo down?

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. 

Do I have to cool the turbo in my car or truck?

All manufacturers of turbocharged vehicles recommend that you cool the turbo before you shut off the engine. 

How do you cool a turbo?

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. 

How long does it take to cool a turbo?

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. 

Do turbos fail frequently?

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. 

Will using synthetic oil eliminate the need to cool my turbo?

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. 

If my bearings fail, how much does a new turbo cost?

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

Can seizing a turbo REALLY cause total engine meltdown?

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.

How does the Diesel Turbo Lifesaver cool the turbocharger down?

All manufacturers of turbocharged vehicles recommend cooling the turbo by idling the engine before shutdown. Diesel Turbo Lifesaver automatically idles your engine for 1-5 minutes (Dodge Cummins), 1-15 minutes (Ford Powerstroke & GM Duramax), or 1-15 minutes (universal model) as selected by the user

Why doesn't Diesel Turbo Lifesaver monitor an exhaust gas temperature (EGT) pyrometer?

Not all diesel truck owners have, or want to, install pyrometers and /or gauges.

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.

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!

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.

Isn't monitoring a pyrometer more accurate than time?

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? For the complete story on the accuracy of pyrometers, follow this link to our pyrometer error investigation.

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.

Is Diesel Turbo Lifesaver safe?

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.

Is Diesel Turbo Lifesaver safe to use with manual transmission vehicles?

YES! The computer in Diesel Turbo Lifesaver allows it to be used on manual transmission vehicles as well as those with automatic transmissions.

Is the Diesel Turbo Lifesaver difficult to install?

NO! Diesel Turbo Lifesaver can be installed in late model Dodge and Ford diesel trucks without any wire cutting via our exclusive in-line ignition harness. All other models without ignition harness requires little or no splicing into one or two ignition wires. VERY important in regards to your vehicle warranty. Also makes 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!

Does Diesel Turbo Lifesaver do anything else?

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). 

How does Diesel Turbo Lifesaver pre-lube my engine?

For the complete story on how Diesel Turbo Lifesaver acts as a pre-luber, follow this link to the pre-lube document. Note: Pre-Lube function does not operate on 2003-2004 Ford Super Duty with 6.0 liter motor and 2003-2004 GM Duramax pickups due to wiring changes made by Ford and General Motors. 

Is Diesel Turbo Lifesaver compatible with power modules, chips or programmers?

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. 

Can I convert my standard run time Diesel Turbo Lifesaver to an extended run time (ERT)?

Yes, we can convert any standard run time unit into an extended run time unit for a small charge. Please be aware of the fact that the unit must be returned to the factory for us to convert it.