Would appreciate any guidance you fellas could give me on what is the maximum or minimum time you should let your vehicle run in idle? I have seen some threads but would like to know what the maximum idle time is without hurting the engine. I have a remote start I just installed in the vehicle a VALET554R and want to make sure I am not damaging the engine by letting it idle too long. Thanks in advance.

 

Ive let mine run up to an hour................ Never knew you could hurt the engine in Idle.....................

 

I would like to know about this whole idle business too, on gas cars its okay to let it idle versus the diesel which from what I've read, is looked down at, so why is this???

 

I not sure where it is looked down on, but the Owner Operators of over the road trucks have been letting their truck idle for hours at a time, while they eat, rest at night and so on. I have heard that the companies on the Alaskan North Slope have let their trucks idle for days at -50 or so.

 

YEP....THats why they are diesels....Long engine life

 

From what I have read, idling allows the aluminum cylinder heads to cool, allowing for shrinkage. This may allow fuel to leak into the block. Its not the idling but the speed at which it idles that is the concern.

Many have said they have installed an auxilary idle control. I'm looking to purchase one myself, as I run short errands throughout the day and would rather have the engine idle than continuously turned on and off. An AIC pushes the idle up while the truck is sitting still for any length of time. I received a price quote of $661.62 from the dealer, double what it would have cost if I had ordered it at time of purchase.

This is only what I understand the idle issue to be.

John

 

That price seems crazy to me. I have been driving for 20+ years and never needed additional parts to let a truck run in park.

Only my perspective....
I could be wrong

 

Somewhere on the forum in an old post, this topic was discussed. From memory here is what I remember.

1) Gas cars can be damaged after long idles due to oil pressure not being good enough or able to lube all parts of motor.

2) Diesels, at least our PSD's, operate on a highly pressurized system and have to oil pumps... one feeds the motor and the other the injectors.

3) Idling will not hurt the PSD, but there was discussion about needing a "high idle" control to allow the motor to operate around 1,000 RPM's instead of the 600 or so?

4) Since diesels run cooler than gassers, there was discussion that a truck ideling to long in the winter could over-cool and cause some of damage (this is the part I am not really clear about).


I agree with some of you that big-rig drivers and trucks idle for long periods, but some said that some (or all big-rigs) have an idle control of some sort???

Personally, I let my PSD idle 5 - 10 minutes in the AM to warm up and idle if I can keep an eye on it when running into a gas station or the like. To me, starting and stopping is the "hard part" to an engine (gas or diesel).

Hope this helps, or maybe it just confuses you more...

I'm game if someone who is a diesel mechanic on big-rigs and PSD's could anser/reply.... I to would be greatfull.

Don't ask Ford.... their busy trying to figure out how to keep the truck going at this point... then they can worry about ideling issues (ha, ha).

Thanks,

 

Caveat to that being..... Before putting the Ford or GM light trucks in service on the North Slope and/or along the TransAlaska Pipeline they are equipped with 'high-idle' switches. Diesels should not be left at low idle, in extreme cold, for a significant amount time without a high-idle switch.

 

Have also noticed that with (I think) the October and definately the December flash, the idle will start at 500 - 600rpms then kick up to 1,000 until you touch the brake. Let go and a few minutes later it goes back up to 1,000rpm's.

It does this in cold weather operation.... not sure what happens in the summer since had Dec. flash done in January.. I would assume that there is not reason for warm-weather fast idle (1,000rpm).... does any one know.

Thanks,

 

When I was a kid my father was a personal friend of an owner of a dealership. He always had the bid for new state police cars. So every two years I would buy a unmarked car with 90k or more on it. Even those cars with high miliage would run like new.
MAN did they move....

Not to mention ..........how many hours did they idle????

 

I've got one, New in the Box. I thought I'd need it but seldom idle. I'd be willing to sell for $275 plus shipping. Mine came with my truck as ordered 04/03. They come uninstalled. It does have complete install instructions and user directions, elect. hookup is "Plug and Play".

I don't know what's proper on this forum for classified. so I'll take direction or let me know if you're interested.

 

I would be willing to buy it from you. Please email me and we can work out the details. My address is under the profile.

Or call me at 361-652-4708.

Thanks,
John

 

Let me tell you guys about long idling a diesel, there is only one reason to idle for over 30 min and that is in very cold climates and should be done at about 1,000/1,200 rpm's and thy usually run all night, otherwise the truck might not start because of the oil being to thick and the fuel gelling and the battery's getting to cold, it takes 3 to 4 12V battery's to start a big rig.

You don't want your diesel to idle for longer than it takes to cool it down from pulling a heavy load say 20 min.

If you are running around empty it wont need to idle at all,

If you idle your truck you are building carbon up between the piston and rings and you don't want that to happen.

So If you have to Idle do it at 1,000 to 1,200 RPM's to help keep the rings clear.

The guys with pyrometers (exhaust temp gages) How long dos it take to Idle to get the temp down to normal opp temp?