I have a DP Tuner and when I'm in a rush that morning and forgot to plug my truck in, I will use my high idle 1200 RPM tune that also closes the exhaust valve for faster warm up.

My engine oil temp will go from 28* to 106ish* in 10 to 12 minutes. This is light years faster than if the engine were just idling normally.

After idling for the short period of time, I walk out to my truck and consistently notice when idling with the valve closed, there is a faint smell. Almost like something is burning. I can tell what my oil temp will be before getting in the truck judging from the smell walking up to it.

What is causing this smell and is it actually BAD for the truck?

I run Rotella 5w40 synthetic and obviously it isn't the oil being over heated. Something else has to be getting a touch too warm.


Would DP be able to write a tune that would shut the exhaust valve OFF when the oil temp reaches 80*, but continue to high idle?

 

I'm no tuning expert, but it seems like the exhaust valve being closed on the exhaust stroke would be bad.

High idle is commonly used to heat up the truck, in fact your truck should do it from the factory if parameters are met, but exhaust valve being close...

If this is a normal practice, could one of the tuning experts explain it for us/me?

 

I would suggest calling Jody at DP Tuner or e-mail him from the web page.

Running the 5/40 I would guess you're getting some blow by causing the odor of burning from the down pipe as it burns off. Do notice lower oil / adding more frequently when using the EBPV setting?

The Exhause Valves are not closing. The Exhaust Back Pressure Valve on the Turbo Base is Closing just enough to restrict the flow causing the engine to heat the fluids quicker - different animal.

 

Ahh, the EBPV, that makes much more sense, should have thought of that haha. Also a normal thing. Again, your truck would do that from the factory.

 

The smell could be the manifold warming up, the condensation on the engine evaporating, maybe a different exhaust smell because you've never smelled the truck at elevated RPM before, etc.... It's also possible there is an oil leak (like in the pedestal).

The hi-idle tune with EBPV active is a great tune. I've been using it for a couple of years... even in the summer while jump-starting another 7.3L, and there is no danger in the tune. Factory tuning does the same thing, but to a lesser degree and for a shorter amount of time.