High idle hours?
More Turbo
Joined: Apr 2017
Posts: 736
Likes: 225
On our 2017 F350 with the 6.7, if the ignition is on in the accessory mode, the engine hours is counting as observed in the trip 1 or 2 display. Is that supposed to record that in accessory mode, and does that count as idle engine hours even though the engine is off ??
We have about 20% idle engines hours compared to the total engine hours, and I think that is high. We take long trips, with very little idling. I idle on a cold start up for a couple of minutes before taking off, and idle at shutdown just enough for my engine oil temperature to get down to about 198 degrees to let the turbos cool down, and that is it.
We have about 20% idle engines hours compared to the total engine hours, and I think that is high. We take long trips, with very little idling. I idle on a cold start up for a couple of minutes before taking off, and idle at shutdown just enough for my engine oil temperature to get down to about 198 degrees to let the turbos cool down, and that is it.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 6,600
Likes: 84
On our 2017 F350 with the 6.7, if the ignition is on in the accessory mode, the engine hours is counting as observed in the trip 1 or 2 display. Is that supposed to record that in accessory mode, and does that count as idle engine hours even though the engine is off ??
We have about 20% idle engines hours compared to the total engine hours, and I think that is high. We take long trips, with very little idling. I idle on a cold start up for a couple of minutes before taking off, and idle at shutdown just enough for my engine oil temperature to get down to about 198 degrees to let the turbos cool down, and that is it.
We have about 20% idle engines hours compared to the total engine hours, and I think that is high. We take long trips, with very little idling. I idle on a cold start up for a couple of minutes before taking off, and idle at shutdown just enough for my engine oil temperature to get down to about 198 degrees to let the turbos cool down, and that is it.
FTE Legend
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 31,859
Likes: 9,166
From: Western NY
I watch the EGT1 and if it's over 400, I let it get below that before I shut it down. It's usually not because there is a down side hill that I hit right before my house and I use the engine brake on the way down. So that usually has EGT1 under 400 when I pull in the driveway. I was told it's better for the turbo and the oil.
6.7 Weight Loss
Joined: Jun 2017
Posts: 1,141
Likes: 5
From: Woodbury CT
I'm not totally sure we hijacked Tom's thread, I think we are discussing his question of "is 38.2% idle hours too high". We talked about what percentage is bad, I'm not sure we've come to a consensus on what is "bad" maybe we did at 15 - 20% . We went down the rat hole of "is idling really bad", think we came up with it's a trade off between starter and battery wear vs. emissions issues and cylinder wall washing. Then we went into then we went into what others have. I think we've seen most of us are below the 38.2% that the truck Tom is looking at is. I'm at 26.7%, guess I should try and get that down a bit if 15 - 20% is "bad".
I'm not sure personally 38.2% would stop me from buying the truck, there are quite a few other things that I would also go into that decision, certainly a factor. Not sure what percentage would stop me from buying, maybe 50% or more. Usually "fleet" vehicles are very well maintained.
From what I've read, idle hours are increased when the truck is sitting there in park running, they are not increased when sitting in traffic (unless you put it in park) or sitting at a traffic light.
I'm not sure personally 38.2% would stop me from buying the truck, there are quite a few other things that I would also go into that decision, certainly a factor. Not sure what percentage would stop me from buying, maybe 50% or more. Usually "fleet" vehicles are very well maintained.
From what I've read, idle hours are increased when the truck is sitting there in park running, they are not increased when sitting in traffic (unless you put it in park) or sitting at a traffic light.
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 646
Likes: 0
From: Magnolia, TX
Thanks Chuck
I'm not going to write it off yet. I've looked at a couple other trucks around town and it seems like they are all over 30% idle time. Probably has to do with all the traffic around here lol
I'm not going to write it off yet. I've looked at a couple other trucks around town and it seems like they are all over 30% idle time. Probably has to do with all the traffic around here lol
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Ford Trucks Ever Sold on Bring a Trailer
Joe Kucinski
2027 Ford Super Duty Buyer's Guide (Every Model, Engine, & Package)
Brett Foote
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies
Joe Kucinski
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
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,902
Likes: 26
From: BA, OK
Does anyone know if we can track engine hours and/or idle hours with ForScan or a monitoring app like Torque Pro? I feel the counter in the productivity screen would not be very accurate since there is no noticeable change until another hour is clocked.
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,739
Likes: 0
From: Virginia beach, VA
The other thing people aren't mentioning is that cylinder washing not only occurs when idling, but also when your engine is not fully warmed up and the rings can't make a good seal. By idling the engine, you are keeping it up to temperature, instead of always letting it cool down and having to restart and warm it back up again.
In my experience, you get a LOT more fuel dilution by driving a bunch of short trips (engine always cold) than you do by a little extra idling...
In my experience, you get a LOT more fuel dilution by driving a bunch of short trips (engine always cold) than you do by a little extra idling...
Senior User
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 430
Likes: 2
From: Texas, near San Antonio
I'm wondering his as well. I've gone up 2 hours in the past month and have not sat at idle in park for more than a few minutes total that I can think of. Most trips are on the longer side, at 20+ miles for a short run.
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 6,600
Likes: 84
It's absolutely tracking idle time while in gear. I know my truck has not idled anywhere close to 27,060 miles worth in park. What I don't know is what RPM and/or speed is outside the idle time parameters. I think RPM can be eliminated because SEIC is idle time.
On another note, this causes me to realize how many dollars are into idling using Ford's 33 miles per 1 hour. Ouch, lol.
On another note, this causes me to realize how many dollars are into idling using Ford's 33 miles per 1 hour. Ouch, lol.
FTE Legend
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 31,859
Likes: 9,166
From: Western NY
I'm not totally sure we hijacked Tom's thread, I think we are discussing his question of "is 38.2% idle hours too high". We talked about what percentage is bad, I'm not sure we've come to a consensus on what is "bad" maybe we did at 15 - 20% . We went down the rat hole of "is idling really bad", think we came up with it's a trade off between starter and battery wear vs. emissions issues and cylinder wall washing. Then we went into then we went into what others have. I think we've seen most of us are below the 38.2% that the truck Tom is looking at is. I'm at 26.7%, guess I should try and get that down a bit if 15 - 20% is "bad".
I'm not sure personally 38.2% would stop me from buying the truck, there are quite a few other things that I would also go into that decision, certainly a factor. Not sure what percentage would stop me from buying, maybe 50% or more. Usually "fleet" vehicles are very well maintained.
From what I've read, idle hours are increased when the truck is sitting there in park running, they are not increased when sitting in traffic (unless you put it in park) or sitting at a traffic light.
I'm not sure personally 38.2% would stop me from buying the truck, there are quite a few other things that I would also go into that decision, certainly a factor. Not sure what percentage would stop me from buying, maybe 50% or more. Usually "fleet" vehicles are very well maintained.
From what I've read, idle hours are increased when the truck is sitting there in park running, they are not increased when sitting in traffic (unless you put it in park) or sitting at a traffic light.
I agree with Chuck. As long as the maintenance of the truck was there and it was taken care of. I'd like some warranty extension though just in case.
I would like to prove this theory myself because I don't think my truck would have as many idle hours on it if the counter only ticked away while in park. If that really is the case then I can beat the system by placing the transmission in drive with my foot on the brake while I fill out my paperwork at the job site.
Does anyone know if we can track engine hours and/or idle hours with ForScan or a monitoring app like Torque Pro? I feel the counter in the productivity screen would not be very accurate since there is no noticeable change until another hour is clocked.
Does anyone know if we can track engine hours and/or idle hours with ForScan or a monitoring app like Torque Pro? I feel the counter in the productivity screen would not be very accurate since there is no noticeable change until another hour is clocked.
It's absolutely tracking idle time while in gear. I know my truck has not idled anywhere close to 27,060 miles worth in park. What I don't know is what RPM and/or speed is outside the idle time parameters. I think RPM can be eliminated because SEIC is idle time.
On another note, this causes me to realize how many dollars are into idling using Ford's 33 miles per 1 hour. Ouch, lol.
On another note, this causes me to realize how many dollars are into idling using Ford's 33 miles per 1 hour. Ouch, lol.
"Breakin the law...Breakin the law!" 