Suggested Idle Time
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Posting Legend
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 30,221
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From: Central Illinois
Suggested Idle Time
I have searched this question, but perhaps I am not putting in the right search terms....Here's my question:
I have read several threads that say that the 6.0 isn't designed to idle a long time like the 7.3 is/was. My question is, what is the suggested idle time for the 6.0? I live in Illinois and it obviously gets cold here, and I let the 6.0 warm up about 15-20 minutes in the mornings. Is that too long? I currently live where plugging it in over night is not an option.
Also, what about when I run into Walmart or errands? Currently I leave it running and lock the door. Is that too much idle time? THanks in advance
-The Great
I have read several threads that say that the 6.0 isn't designed to idle a long time like the 7.3 is/was. My question is, what is the suggested idle time for the 6.0? I live in Illinois and it obviously gets cold here, and I let the 6.0 warm up about 15-20 minutes in the mornings. Is that too long? I currently live where plugging it in over night is not an option.
Also, what about when I run into Walmart or errands? Currently I leave it running and lock the door. Is that too much idle time? THanks in advance
-The Great
Lead Driver
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 5,420
Likes: 16
From: Ouray, CO
You should look at the high idle mod for warming up
in the cold, just idling doesn't really warm it up much.
15 mins in the morning of idle then driving for 30 mins on the hiway is one thing.
Idling it while you make service call after service calls all day long is the problem.
Old school diesels idled 24x7 in winter: tow trucks, ambulances, tractor trailers, trains, etc.
Do NOT do that with the 6.0
in the cold, just idling doesn't really warm it up much.
15 mins in the morning of idle then driving for 30 mins on the hiway is one thing.
Idling it while you make service call after service calls all day long is the problem.
Old school diesels idled 24x7 in winter: tow trucks, ambulances, tractor trailers, trains, etc.
Do NOT do that with the 6.0
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,171
Likes: 2
The best thing you can do for your truck is to just let it idle 24-7, won't hurt it or the environment a bit, and if you leave it locked that's a guarantee that no one will ever steal it for a joy-ride.
Seriously, if you let it idle for 2 minutes, or until the glow plugs turn off, that is more than enough. Longer is just burning money, both because it wastes fuel and because it isn't good for the truck.
Seriously, if you let it idle for 2 minutes, or until the glow plugs turn off, that is more than enough. Longer is just burning money, both because it wastes fuel and because it isn't good for the truck.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 27,307
Likes: 549
From: Spanaway
For my first start I idle until I see 50F on the oil or 5 minutes
what ever happens first. In warmer places I do give it about 2 minutes.
that is about how long it takes for the voltage so stabilize.
And that is with the high idle mod ON. The truck is still a bit of a pig
till it gets over 100F and the EGR system will not come into play
till about 150F +
Sean
what ever happens first. In warmer places I do give it about 2 minutes.
that is about how long it takes for the voltage so stabilize.
And that is with the high idle mod ON. The truck is still a bit of a pig
till it gets over 100F and the EGR system will not come into play
till about 150F +
Sean
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 119
Likes: 2
From: Calgary, Alberta
X2, I let it idle just long enough for me to scrape the windows and then drive it gently until it warms up.
Thread Starter
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Posting Legend
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 30,221
Likes: 1
From: Central Illinois
You should look at the high idle mod for warming up
in the cold, just idling doesn't really warm it up much.
15 mins in the morning of idle then driving for 30 mins on the hiway is one thing.
Idling it while you make service call after service calls all day long is the problem.
Old school diesels idled 24x7 in winter: tow trucks, ambulances, tractor trailers, trains, etc.
Do NOT do that with the 6.0
in the cold, just idling doesn't really warm it up much.
15 mins in the morning of idle then driving for 30 mins on the hiway is one thing.
Idling it while you make service call after service calls all day long is the problem.
Old school diesels idled 24x7 in winter: tow trucks, ambulances, tractor trailers, trains, etc.
Do NOT do that with the 6.0
This is my daily driver, and my first diesel, i just didnt know how long to let it warm up and if starting it and restarting it every time i stop somewhere hurts it at all. thanks
-The Great
Token Redneck
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,335
Likes: 344
From: Breckenridge, TX
Run a grille cover and start driving as soon as the idle evens out (with 15W40 at 20* this was seriously a minute or three, with 5W40 its about 15-45 seconds). Don't rag on it, but driving will warm it up significantly faster. And run a grille cover.
Did I mention the grille cover? It really halves the time to operating temp for me, and it gets the heater running faster on those really cold days. I miss Colorado but not those -5* mornings.
Did I mention the grille cover? It really halves the time to operating temp for me, and it gets the heater running faster on those really cold days. I miss Colorado but not those -5* mornings.
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Certified Thread Hijacker
Joined: Aug 2001
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It might havde the high idle mod on it already, as the idle kicks up to between 1200-1500 rpm after about 45 seconds.
This is my daily driver, and my first diesel, i just didnt know how long to let it warm up and if starting it and restarting it every time i stop somewhere hurts it at all. thanks
-The Great
This is my daily driver, and my first diesel, i just didnt know how long to let it warm up and if starting it and restarting it every time i stop somewhere hurts it at all. thanks
-The Great
What you experience about 2 minutes after start is the normal cold high idle, which hovers between 900-1200.
The actual switch mod will kick it up to a steady 1200 rpm.
Josh
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Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: Virginia beach, VA
I usually let mine warm up 2-3 minutes after the first start of the day. I also leave it running a lot when I run errands. Just makes more sense to me to leave it on than putting wear on batteries, starter, glow plugs, etc. Although, if I'm going to be more than 10 minutes I'll shut it off.
EDIT: I also never use the high idle, it makes the truck obnoxiously loud IMO
EDIT: I also never use the high idle, it makes the truck obnoxiously loud IMO
Thread Starter
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Posting Legend
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 30,221
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From: Central Illinois
I usually let mine warm up 2-3 minutes after the first start of the day. I also leave it running a lot when I run errands. Just makes more sense to me to leave it on than putting wear on batteries, starter, glow plugs, etc. Although, if I'm going to be more than 10 minutes I'll shut it off.
IMO
IMO
-The Great
Certified Thread Hijacker
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 14,441
Likes: 60
I wait until about 60 degrees ECT before I take off, sometimes more if its under 10 degrees.
Around 40 degrees I wait until the high idle kicks on then take off. Warmer than 50 I basically wait until the GP cycle off then leave.
As for idle times I abused the crap out of my old 2005, as I would let that truck idle 3-4 HOURS at a time when working on field equipment with temps under -15F.
Josh
Around 40 degrees I wait until the high idle kicks on then take off. Warmer than 50 I basically wait until the GP cycle off then leave.
As for idle times I abused the crap out of my old 2005, as I would let that truck idle 3-4 HOURS at a time when working on field equipment with temps under -15F.
Josh
Fleet Owner
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 27,897
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It is not good to work a cold engine hard or achieve high rpms on a cold engine. So, this perspective says warming up the engine before driving is beneficial. That being said, your combustion efficiency is lower on a cold engine, so you get more soot formation. With EGR valves and VGT turbos, soot can be more of an issue than on simpler diesel engines.
So - just use common sense. If you need to drive away quickly after start-up, then just drive easy (say stay under 2000 rpms). If you can, let the oil warm up a little - 50*F oil temp is probably a good number. If you do idle, the higher rpms (1200) are better.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,760
Likes: 21
Run a grille cover and start driving as soon as the idle evens out (with 15W40 at 20* this was seriously a minute or three, with 5W40 its about 15-45 seconds). Don't rag on it, but driving will warm it up significantly faster. And run a grille cover.
Did I mention the grille cover? It really halves the time to operating temp for me, and it gets the heater running faster on those really cold days. I miss Colorado but not those -5* mornings.
Did I mention the grille cover? It really halves the time to operating temp for me, and it gets the heater running faster on those really cold days. I miss Colorado but not those -5* mornings.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,138
Likes: 7
From: South Weber, Utah
<p>Personally I don't believe idling for 10 minutes or so on cold mornings is detrimental or for a few minutes while you jump in to the local 7-11 for a morning cup of Joe as long as it's not extended idling like in the ambulance or emergency services and you are able to get her out and stretch her legs on the freeway a few times a week i think you'll be just fine, i warm mine for 10 minutes or so on cold mornings before i leave for work. Just my opinion. <img src="http://images.ford-trucks.com/forums/images/smilies/happy0161.gif" border="0" alt="" title="Smilie" smilieid="1" class="inlineimg" /></p>
I'm hitting easy street
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6,395
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From: Central Oregon
The times I'm concerned about warming up the motor is when the last day of camping arrives. Cold mountain mornings, hooking up the trailer and heading off. That is when I make sure to get it warm. I'll go for a little drive. Mainly just idling along through the campground and out to the exit and back.
I don't want to hook and tug on 8000#s when it's cold.
Some in the past have suggested not going over 10 lbs. of boost until around 150* ECT.
When I was taught about warming up a diesel, it was due to the odds the motor was about to pull 80,000 lbs.
I don't want to hook and tug on 8000#s when it's cold.
Some in the past have suggested not going over 10 lbs. of boost until around 150* ECT.
When I was taught about warming up a diesel, it was due to the odds the motor was about to pull 80,000 lbs.