turbo owners: caution in transport

[slowzuki]

We should put a windturbine on the hauling truck and convert it to electric so it can power itself while driving.

 

[milkman]

We should put a windturbine on the hauling truck and convert it to electric so it can power itself while driving.

I've figured out a way to sell all the excess electric to the utility companies, so when you get the windturbines going, we can get rich...

 

[N80]

You know, there hasn't been a new Mythbusters in a while and the show seems to be generally going down the tubes, which is a shame, its a great show. So someone needs to drop them a line. This one is right up their alley and when they get done they can blow the dang thing up!

 

[Charlesaf3]

darn, someone beat me to "Correlation is not causation"

That should be taught EVERY year of school, in the hopes people will get it through their heads...

 

[Volfandt]

What about if its parked, and a wind storm comes through, should you go out and cover your exhost?

Not if it's got a flapper.....

Wind tunnel for a test? Hummm, surely theres an easier , more readily available way to simulate high velocity wind.......

 

[abrannan19]

it can happen..thats for sure..I am on diesel truck forums..they have been several guys there that have had their trucks towed..and they had stacks on the truck..the turbo wheels spins..has no lubrication and boom..gone!

I don't understand why some people find this so hard to believe.

 

[Ductape]

I don't understand why some people find this so hard to believe.

I guess its because there needs to be "flow" to spin the turbo. Air or wind blowing at or past the exhaust pipe doesn't equal flow through the exhaust system.

I heard about this scenario years ago, and always figured it was smeone looking for something for nothing. "Well, you towed my broken down Kenworth to the repair shop, and now it needs a new turbo and you should pay for it because i paid you $300 to tow it there".

 

[ray66v]

Today I mentioned to my Engineer friend about this thread. He reminded me that he had given me turbo charger, and though he knew the answer, he suggested do some testing.

After directly applying a 100 mph leaf blower to the inlet, and no restriction on the outlet, the turbo only turned at a very slow rate.

Considering the residual lubrication, and the speed the turbo was pinwheeling even under an extreme situation, it is hard to imagine that there could be any damage, based on this test.

The Engineer, who has worked on engine failure analysis for TRW, agreed that damage is very unlikely.

Your results may vary.

 

[crazyal]

While I think is a must to cover the pipe when towing a tractor with a turbo I don't buy the pinwheeling. Even if the low pressure caused by air rushing past the exhaust could cause the turbo to spin the other side is still connected. If it moves (even in reverse) it's going want to pump air on the other end. Since it can't (as far as I know no engine has both the intake and exhaust valves open on the same chamber at any given time) it's going to fight the resistance of the air pressure it's built up between it and the cylinders. If it's spinning in reverse it will be fighting atmosperic pressure trying to equalize the pressure.

It's more likely that dust or moisture could be sucked into the exhaust and do damage to the turbo.

I've got another engine myth for the mythbusters. I had a guy tell me once the best way to get carbon build up out of an engine was to remove the filter, rev the motor up, and dump a cup of water in the carb. He said it works great, anybody want to try it?

 

[ray66v]

I've got another engine myth for the mythbusters. I had a guy tell me once the best way to get carbon build up out of an engine was to remove the filter, rev the motor up, and dump a cup of water in the carb. He said it works great, anybody want to try it?

I was taught to do this 35 years ago in auto shop class. I can't tell you I do it any more. I think it is one of those things, (like using Armour All all over the car), it really does not do that much good, sometimes even does some harm, but it makes people "feel" like there doing something good, without any real work.