Short trips bad?
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,081
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From: Eastern Oregon
Constant on/off will harm the engine. Short trips followed by longer trips that do get it up to operating temps wouldn't be ideal, but would help. I don't think there's any real data out there that relates to what would happen if, and when, something bad would happen based on so many variables regarding short trips.
Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2004
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100 feet? I would push it...
Your glow plugs stay on for about 2 minutes after turning the key on. Your alternator can't keep up with the draw of the glow plugs. The high compression of a diesel engine means the starter draws a lot of current, which takes some time to recharge via the alt... but you aren't even charging in the first 2 minutes. So even disregarding how mean you are being to the actual engine in doing that, you are going to be running your batteries down pretty quickly.
Duncan
Your glow plugs stay on for about 2 minutes after turning the key on. Your alternator can't keep up with the draw of the glow plugs. The high compression of a diesel engine means the starter draws a lot of current, which takes some time to recharge via the alt... but you aren't even charging in the first 2 minutes. So even disregarding how mean you are being to the actual engine in doing that, you are going to be running your batteries down pretty quickly.
Duncan
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 4,483
Likes: 2
From: Central Texas
Originally Posted by ericmj
Would frequent short (100 feet) trips, where the engine doesn't warm up, harm the 6.0L turbo/engine?
