Turbo cooling

[TDFIVE]

Hi everyone,

This is my first post and the first time owner of a Land Rover product and I'm enjoying this forum for all valuable info. I purchased a Discovery TD5 update auto yesterday and so far I'm very happy how she drives. Just one question though, does one need to idle and cool the turbo charger on one of these modern diesels or can you shut down the engine after driving pretty much straight away?

Thanks in advance!

[discofacelift]

Hi TDFIVE,
I have an 03 Auto Discovery2 facelift TD5 ES myself, I can’t recall reading anything in the manual regarding this issue and I’ve been on a few Land Rover off road courses and this wasn’t mentioned, so I guess you don’t have to. I’ve just turned my Discovery off as normal after a long journey.

I’m very pleased with mine too, its quiet and smooth, plenty of power and economical, I get between 27 to 30 miles to the gallon on a run and around 22 to 25 on short trips around town, it startes first time every morning even in that cold snap when it dropped to -7 with out using the glow plugs.

I will be following this thread with interest.

Regards

Discofacelift

[KDamericano]

Not knowing a whole lot about TD5 Discos (not available in the states), I'm going to say no. Some years back they used to recommend this practice for turbo'd petrol cars/trucks, as the turbos were oil cooled and would have very short lifespans otherwise. Most of the newer turbos available are oil/water cooled, so this practice is no longer needed. Add to that, diesels run significantly cooler that gasoline engines. I think you're in the clear.

[TDFIVE]

Thanks guys--I guess I'll just turn it off straight away after driving it. Good to hear that it has been a reliable vehicle too!

cheers

[crl]

I checked my owners manual shortly after I bought my TD5 and it states that you should allow the engine to run for 10 seconds prior to shut down.

[300bhp/ton]

There's was a good article in one of the Land Rover mags recently all about this.

Essentially in days gone by yes you needed to wait after startup for oil pressure to build in the turbo and let spin down before switching off else the bearings could get worn very quickly.

Today its not so true, however for prolonged life and reliability a little bit of sensible behaviour can help.

For instance when you get in the vehicle start it up before putting on your seat belt. The time it takes you to put the belt on (or anything) else should be sufficent.

Same goes when switching off, pull up/part and take your belt off first (or switch the lights off, pick up something from the passenger seat or what ever). Just give the engine a few seconds ticking over before switching it off.

If you've just done a prolonged high speed journey (80mph for an hour on the motorway and you pull into the servies), or you've just been pounding the crap out of it on some B roads, just give it a few seconds longer before switching it off. Like take belt off, open door, get out then switch off engine.