Suggested Idle Time
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,174
Likes: 10
From: Kansas City MO
I was under the impression the op was talking about cold soak starts. Or at least that's what I was talking about. I never leave mine running after its warm. Sometimes I will fire it up, get busy n shut it off after its warm. My truck runs n drives 24/7. No parking lot idling,,,, I'm in Santa Rosa NM right now and it's freakin beautiful outside, but there's still a bunch of company drivers out there idling. Makes no sense to me either. They would think twice if they had to foot the bill.
I'm hitting easy street
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,395
Likes: 27
From: Central Oregon
I think it goes back to the days of truckers running their trucks 24/7 for weeks on end, including their 8 hour mandatory rest periods. Those guys mostly didn't own their trucks and for sure were not paying the fuel bill. And they got major rebuilds 100K sooner than the guy who turned his truck off while he snoozed, and ran his generator for AC or his Espar heater to keep him and his truck warm.
Brian
With out those new toys, try sleeping in a truck with out them at 100*. Or 10* in the winter.
Thread Starter
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Posting Legend
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 30,221
Likes: 1
From: Central Illinois
I did also ask a second question about idling while doing errands, as this is my daily driver. Just curious about letting it cool down and how constant restarts are affecting the motor. I live over 120 miles from the nearest area that has idle laws so that is not a concern.
Thanks
-The Great
Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,196
Likes: 120
From: Carstairs Alberta
idle time is less than ideal, however if it is combined with reasonable periods of full speed with a decent load it can be fairly harmless. now if you idle for 10-20-30 minutes then drive 30 minutes of medium city driving you could very likely end up having issues. other than to keep a sleeper warm or cool there wasn't any real reason to idle even the old diesels(beyond difficulty starting) with modern engines and oils, difficulty starting has very nearly been eliminated. using factory spec oil our company 2005/6 duramax trucks fire right up perfectly at -35 without even plugging in and they run perfect as soon as you let go of the key.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 27,900
Likes: 3,617
It cools down pretty quick. A larger exhaust system will allow it to run a little cooler and therefore it will reach the proper "cool-down" temps earlier than an engine with a stock exhaust.
So many people try to put things like this in a "black-and'white" recipe. Fact is that just use common sense and you should be fine.
As an FYI - I have never let my engine idle more than 10-20 seconds before taking off. I really do not watch the temps either ...... HOWEVER, I do live in S. texas, so I do not see temps below freezing much. I am at 125k miles - no issues (that I am aware of anyway).
I take off slowly and keep it below 2000 rpms as I said earlier. When it is fully up to temps, I drive it as I need to.
So many people try to put things like this in a "black-and'white" recipe. Fact is that just use common sense and you should be fine.
As an FYI - I have never let my engine idle more than 10-20 seconds before taking off. I really do not watch the temps either ...... HOWEVER, I do live in S. texas, so I do not see temps below freezing much. I am at 125k miles - no issues (that I am aware of anyway).
I take off slowly and keep it below 2000 rpms as I said earlier. When it is fully up to temps, I drive it as I need to.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,739
Likes: 0
From: Virginia beach, VA
As an FYI - I have never let my engine idle more than 10-20 seconds before taking off. I really do not watch the temps either ...... HOWEVER, I do live in S. texas, so I do not see temps below freezing much. I am at 125k miles - no issues (that I am aware of anyway).
I take off slowly and keep it below 2000 rpms as I said earlier. When it is fully up to temps, I drive it as I need to.
I take off slowly and keep it below 2000 rpms as I said earlier. When it is fully up to temps, I drive it as I need to.
I think another reason I like to warm it up a little is because of how gutless it is when cold. I don't have any bad injectors, low FICM voltage, or anything like that and this thing is a dog until 130ish ECT.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 2,196
Likes: 120
From: Carstairs Alberta
No real set time for me. 10 degrees f once it settles down and idles smooth, away I go. Just like Bismic says go easy until temps are up. I used to pull right away but since the PHP and Now she sometimes snorts 2-3 times before she settles downTwo 6.0's 226 k miles all factory headbolts no hg leaks
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Josh
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Virginia beach, VA
I hate the automatic high idle. It always kicks in RIGHT as I'm about to put it in drive
Postmaster
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,174
Likes: 10
From: Kansas City MO
When the high idle kicks in,,, it does that cause its NOT warm enough. I like the auto high idle much more than the pto one. Less running hard while its cold. FYI,, the auto idle kicks off automatically at approx 172.