EXHAUST/ENGINE BRAKE use when cold
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From: Vancouver BC
EXHAUST/ENGINE BRAKE use when cold
I'm looking for advice on using my Tow Haul engine braking before I'm up to operating temp- when I leave my jobsite, it's an 8-11% grade on gravel for the 1st 2 miles. It holds the truck back nicely in 2nd gear at about 3500 RPM as I make my initial decent. But the truck has just been started after sitting for 7- 8 hrs. Should I keep on using it or just use the brakes- I'm running 15w-40, running empty, the air temp is in the mid 70's but I'm concerned I may be doing more harm than good.
Thanks guys.
Thanks guys.
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From: WY
My first impression at this time of morning, is that since the FOMOCO design of exhaust brake simply dumps exhaust back into the cylinders to reduce the combustion process, it would probably help speed up the warm-up process.
I don't think there are any extra moving metal parts involved that would be stressed. Just my opinion. I'm sure there will be others.
I don't think there are any extra moving metal parts involved that would be stressed. Just my opinion. I'm sure there will be others.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Greenwood, SC
I think a lot of guys here, and more importantly, FoMoCo as well, pretty much figure that 1 minute or less of idle at start up is sufficient to warm the engine up enough to use it.
I also think that you are fine but it does sound a little uncomfortable to run 3500 rpms when you know the oil temp is in the 70-90º range.
One more thing, you can bet the oil life monitor system is counting these events. If you run this engine like this for the next 5000 miles or more it would be interesting to see if your oil life is less than average. I usually get an oil change required message in the 7000-9000 mile range.
I also think that you are fine but it does sound a little uncomfortable to run 3500 rpms when you know the oil temp is in the 70-90º range.
One more thing, you can bet the oil life monitor system is counting these events. If you run this engine like this for the next 5000 miles or more it would be interesting to see if your oil life is less than average. I usually get an oil change required message in the 7000-9000 mile range.
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ok, sounds positive so far- & with 7500 miles on it, I had switched to 15w40 at 4000 miles as I was towing in the Nevada/Arizona area & was uncomortable with the stock 10w/30. But I forgot to reset my oil life monitor. So in 500 miles, I'm starting with fresh oil . As soon as I lightly brake, the tow haul drops me down to second gear, so I will just go a bit slower to keep my RPM's down to 3000 or less.
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oil
switch to a 5w40 synthetic and don't worry about it.03 6.0 206,000 1 icp sensor.great truck.
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Thread Starter
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From: Vancouver BC
ok, sounds positive so far- & with 7500 miles on it, I had switched to 15w40 at 4000 miles as I was towing in the Nevada/Arizona area & was uncomortable with the stock 10w/30. But I forgot to reset my oil life monitor. So in 500 miles, I'm starting with fresh oil . As soon as I lightly brake, the tow haul drops me down to second gear, so I will just go a bit slower to keep my RPM's down to 3000 or less.
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I edited out what you wrote to the part that concerns me.
Your not saying you ride the brakes to keep your speed down are you? If so you are heating up your brakes excessively and could be setting yourself up for serious trouble on a long steep grade.
In an ideal situation you want to slow down at the top of the grade and downshift so your motor, gearing and e/b will hold you at the speed you want to descend the hill. If this will not keep you at the speed you want, apply the brakes until 5 or 10 below the speed then let off. Once your speed increases where you want to be, apply the brakes again. This give your brakes time to dissipate the heat.
Happy hauling.
Joe aka D/T
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From: Vancouver BC
Chris,
I edited out what you wrote to the part that concerns me.
Your not saying you ride the brakes to keep your speed down are you? If so you are heating up your brakes excessively and could be setting yourself up for serious trouble on a long steep grade.
In an ideal situation you want to slow down at the top of the grade and downshift so your motor, gearing and e/b will hold you at the speed you want to descend the hill. If this will not keep you at the speed you want, apply the brakes until 5 or 10 below the speed then let off. Once your speed increases where you want to be, apply the brakes again. This give your brakes time to dissipate the heat.
Happy hauling.
Joe aka D/T
I edited out what you wrote to the part that concerns me.
Your not saying you ride the brakes to keep your speed down are you? If so you are heating up your brakes excessively and could be setting yourself up for serious trouble on a long steep grade.
In an ideal situation you want to slow down at the top of the grade and downshift so your motor, gearing and e/b will hold you at the speed you want to descend the hill. If this will not keep you at the speed you want, apply the brakes until 5 or 10 below the speed then let off. Once your speed increases where you want to be, apply the brakes again. This give your brakes time to dissipate the heat.
Happy hauling.
Joe aka D/T
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