Short trips
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 359
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
Short trips
Hi FTE,
I am new to diesels and was wondering about engine cool down or turbo rpm reduction before shutting off the engine after short trips (1 mile or less and running errands from store to store after approx. a 10 mile trip). Should I let it idle after each stop for a minute or so?? Your help would be much appreciated.
Mike
2001 F250 CC Lariat SB 7.3
I am new to diesels and was wondering about engine cool down or turbo rpm reduction before shutting off the engine after short trips (1 mile or less and running errands from store to store after approx. a 10 mile trip). Should I let it idle after each stop for a minute or so?? Your help would be much appreciated.
Mike
2001 F250 CC Lariat SB 7.3
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,897
Likes: 0
From: Northeastern Pa - USA
Short trips
If you are not working the engine real hard between stops, plan ahead so it will be cool when you get to your parking spot. No way would I just run the hell out of the truck and not let it cool down some. I always plan ahead, pull into a parking lot and just dont get rammy on the fuel while getting to the parking spot and you will be alright. If you dont trust yourself, get a pyrometer and then you can watch the exhaust temp before shutting down.
New User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Chateauguay, Quebec
Short trips
This is also my first diesel.
Short trips are not good for any motor - gas or diesel.
I try to get the oil temp up. Instead of cutting across town to the mall I'll take the long around the town route to allow the oil temp to get into normal. (Also get to drive the beast more..hehe) The turbo will be fine at city speeds I think. I'm more concerned about starting and stopping the engine with the oil still cold.
Fred
Short trips are not good for any motor - gas or diesel.
I try to get the oil temp up. Instead of cutting across town to the mall I'll take the long around the town route to allow the oil temp to get into normal. (Also get to drive the beast more..hehe) The turbo will be fine at city speeds I think. I'm more concerned about starting and stopping the engine with the oil still cold.
Fred
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 359
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
Short trips
Hi Fred,
Nice truck configuration! Yeah, I guess that is what worries me as well (oil temp. or lack of). My truck gets plenty of highway time, but this is little league baseball season for me. I coach two teams and our practice fields are less than a mile from my house. No time for oil warm up. Guess there is probably nothing I can do. The "long" way will help a little.
Also, when running errands, once the oil is warm, it may be easier on it going store to store, as long as I don't spend too much time inside each time!
Mike
2001 F250 CC Lariat SB 7.3
Nice truck configuration! Yeah, I guess that is what worries me as well (oil temp. or lack of). My truck gets plenty of highway time, but this is little league baseball season for me. I coach two teams and our practice fields are less than a mile from my house. No time for oil warm up. Guess there is probably nothing I can do. The "long" way will help a little.
Also, when running errands, once the oil is warm, it may be easier on it going store to store, as long as I don't spend too much time inside each time!
Mike
2001 F250 CC Lariat SB 7.3
New User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Chateauguay, Quebec
Short trips
Thanks Mike!
Yes we are a little awed atm with this new beast. I really don't think that we can eliminate all short trips. A second vehicle would be nice but not an option for a lot of us. I will try to minimize the small trips to the local 7-11 corner store etc. My son plays Midget BB hockey. One arena is a 12 mile round trip and the other one is about a 1-1/2 mile round trip. His practices are at 9:00 so it's not arrive home, wolf down supper and off to the arena. The truck does cool down. Right now the temps are in the 30's but in mid winter they will be in the teens or lower.
What I've read is never let the diesel idle to warm up. They don't generate enough heat at idle to warm up. This can cause "Wet Stacking" which is unburnt fuel being pulled down into the oil by the rings.
Yes we are a little awed atm with this new beast. I really don't think that we can eliminate all short trips. A second vehicle would be nice but not an option for a lot of us. I will try to minimize the small trips to the local 7-11 corner store etc. My son plays Midget BB hockey. One arena is a 12 mile round trip and the other one is about a 1-1/2 mile round trip. His practices are at 9:00 so it's not arrive home, wolf down supper and off to the arena. The truck does cool down. Right now the temps are in the 30's but in mid winter they will be in the teens or lower.
What I've read is never let the diesel idle to warm up. They don't generate enough heat at idle to warm up. This can cause "Wet Stacking" which is unburnt fuel being pulled down into the oil by the rings.
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,702
Likes: 0
Short trips
Frequent oil changes are in order when driving lots of short trips.
I drive 6 miles to work so I know my oil never gets hot enough to dissipate moisture and contamination, therefore I change the oil and filter every 3000 miles.
Les
I drive 6 miles to work so I know my oil never gets hot enough to dissipate moisture and contamination, therefore I change the oil and filter every 3000 miles.
Les
Trending Topics
New User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 21
Likes: 0
From: Chateauguay, Quebec
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make
Brett Foote
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!
Michael S. Palmer
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home
Verdad Gallardo
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 359
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
Short trips
Fred,
I can certainly relate to the sports schedule! Today, my oldest son has baseball 2-4pm and then its off to the final instructional league hockey game 6-? (He scored two goals last night!) Its alot of fun though and my boys love the crew cab and especially that diesel sound! Its a great father/sons thing!
Thanks for the info. on no warm up and the web site! Talk to you later.
Mike
I can certainly relate to the sports schedule! Today, my oldest son has baseball 2-4pm and then its off to the final instructional league hockey game 6-? (He scored two goals last night!) Its alot of fun though and my boys love the crew cab and especially that diesel sound! Its a great father/sons thing!
Thanks for the info. on no warm up and the web site! Talk to you later.
Mike
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 359
Likes: 0
From: Maryland
Short trips
Hi Les,
Thanks for the input on the more frequent oil changes. Sounds like a great idea! Although my engine gets plenty of highway mileage, I do make alot of real local trips. I will change it more often. Take care.
Mike
Thanks for the input on the more frequent oil changes. Sounds like a great idea! Although my engine gets plenty of highway mileage, I do make alot of real local trips. I will change it more often. Take care.
Mike
Junior User
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
Short trips
Use a good quality motor oil, probably a synthetic with a robust additive package, and it will tolerate those short trips. With the large sump capacity of the Powerstroke, changing at 3K mile intervals is a waste as far as I'm concerned. But to each his own.
You'll be less likely to coke the turbo bearings as well, using a quality synthetic, should the truck be inadvertantly shut down when hot. You'd be surprised how much longer the turbo spools down when it's lubed with a quality oil.
You'll be less likely to coke the turbo bearings as well, using a quality synthetic, should the truck be inadvertantly shut down when hot. You'd be surprised how much longer the turbo spools down when it's lubed with a quality oil.
New User
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: stillwater,ok
Short trips
there is also a exhaust gas temp monitor that will keep your truck idling until the temp is below a safe level and then shut it off. you can lock the vehicle and leave it to shut itself off. I personally do not have one of these but a search at www.the dieselstop.com should bring up plenty of info.
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Toledo, Ohio
Short trips
Try this website to get the facts:
www.galebanks.com/tech_TD-fact-fiction.cfm
Babbitt bearings were used in turbochargers 30 years ago. They don't use them anymore. Also, todays oils resist coking, synthetic oils won't coke, period.
There is no reason to "cool down" a turbo-diesel these days.
This is from Gale Banks web site, and I think its a pretty credible source.
www.galebanks.com/tech_TD-fact-fiction.cfm
Babbitt bearings were used in turbochargers 30 years ago. They don't use them anymore. Also, todays oils resist coking, synthetic oils won't coke, period.
There is no reason to "cool down" a turbo-diesel these days.
This is from Gale Banks web site, and I think its a pretty credible source.
New User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
From: 2001 Mack Vision
Short trips
as stated cooling down a diesel is not that important, however what is important is allowing the turbo to stop spinning. the turbo will continue to spin for a period of time after use. if you look at the turbo you will see that the oil line that feeds it is much smaller that the return line. the oil cools and lubricates the bearings helping to prevent premature wear and costly replacement.
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 74
Likes: 0
From: Indiana
Short trips
Hey Guys, the statement ccoling down a diesel as not important, is somewhat incorrect. What You want to do is equalize the engine temperature, and let the Turbo cool to at least 300 degrees. Equalizing the engine temperature is important for the longevity of the motor. A gasolin engine also benefits from 30 seconds to a minute of idle before shut down.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
