What is excessive idle??
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Junior User
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What is excessive idle??
As winter approaches i've read alot about excessive idle and wet stacking. This will be my first full winter with my truck and i was just curious what everyone considers as excessive idle times and how long you would let the truck idle for before you hit the high idle switch?? What is the air temperature range where wet stacking can become a concern?? And then once you hit the high idle is there a limit as to how long you leave in it high idle?
Also, when my truck starts up on a cold morning it only idles itself up to about 1,000rpms before i get in it.......i'm curious would it be bad to remote start the truck in high idle? Would those 200rpms even make that big of difference in warm up time? I doubt it but what do you guys think?
Thanks!
Tom
Also, when my truck starts up on a cold morning it only idles itself up to about 1,000rpms before i get in it.......i'm curious would it be bad to remote start the truck in high idle? Would those 200rpms even make that big of difference in warm up time? I doubt it but what do you guys think?
Thanks!
Tom
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2007
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From: AB/BC
I let both of mine idle for 30 seconds or so then hit high idle,usually until I can see usually. Wet stacking can happen any time a diesel is let run cool,diesel engines rely on heat and compression for ignition.If there isn't enough heat all the fuel isn't burnt. That excess fuel washes down (scrubs) the cylinder resulting in blow by or lost compression,and the cycle feeds on its self. Starting your truck at 1200 is asking for trouble in the winter.The oil is thick and can't get through the motor thats why it your motor now ramps up to a 1000. Hope this helps.
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I use my truck as my office so in the winter the truck runs all day for about 12hours or more. I have let my truck run in high idle all day and no problems. I set my idle at about 1300-1400rpm. You want to keep you engine warm so make sure you have a winter front on also. If you worry about gumming the engine up when you are idling a Ford mech told me to put the truck into third gear and run it down the hiway for a few mile and let the engine heat up, the truck will grovern out at about 3900rpm. So get the 3900rpm and cruse for a few mile and it will preform a lot better.
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Thanks for the replies, i guess what i'm really asking is if it's below or around freezing and the truck has to idle, how long before you put it into high idle? 10 min, 15 min, 30 min, immediately once you stop to get out??? In my other trucks i plow w/ i can be in them 18 -20 hrs straight so i'm just trying to get an idea of what i should do so i don't gum up my engine. How much more fuel do you think you burn w/ the truck in high idle???
Coke do those cold weather fronts really make a difference????
Tom
Coke do those cold weather fronts really make a difference????
Tom
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Henderson, NV
Thanks for the replies, i guess what i'm really asking is if it's below or around freezing and the truck has to idle, how long before you put it into high idle? 10 min, 15 min, 30 min, immediately once you stop to get out??? In my other trucks i plow w/ i can be in them 18 -20 hrs straight so i'm just trying to get an idea of what i should do so i don't gum up my engine. How much more fuel do you think you burn w/ the truck in high idle???
Coke do those cold weather fronts really make a difference????
Tom
Coke do those cold weather fronts really make a difference????
Tom
Freshman User
Joined: Jun 2007
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I find that the winter front will bring the engine temp back up into the normal position, if I run my truck without one if will be a 16th to one8th below the normaly postion on the eng temp gauge.
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Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Grande Prairie, AB
Always a good idea to let a truck low idle for about a minute before high idling (I drive big rigs, and this is what I was told by the mechanic for winter driving) Im sure it also relates well to light application diesels. And where is this high idle switch you guys are talking about? (forgive me if my Ford knowledge is limited, this is my first Ford after years of Toyotas) my truck automatically high idles on its own. 05 F-350.
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Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Tooele, UT
Thanks for the replies, i guess what i'm really asking is if it's below or around freezing and the truck has to idle, how long before you put it into high idle? 10 min, 15 min, 30 min, immediately once you stop to get out??? In my other trucks i plow w/ i can be in them 18 -20 hrs straight so i'm just trying to get an idea of what i should do so i don't gum up my engine. How much more fuel do you think you burn w/ the truck in high idle???
Coke do those cold weather fronts really make a difference????
Tom
Coke do those cold weather fronts really make a difference????
Tom
well if it has reached operating temp already and you have been driving it you can put the high idle on as soon as you get out of the truck since the oil has already circulated and has warmed up.
if you are starting it for the first time in the morning then you should let it idle normally for about 30 seconds before you hit the switch to take it up to 1250rpm. this give the oil sufficient amount of time to circulate and lube up the vital components.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Tooele, UT
Always a good idea to let a truck low idle for about a minute before high idling (I drive big rigs, and this is what I was told by the mechanic for winter driving) Im sure it also relates well to light application diesels. And where is this high idle switch you guys are talking about? (forgive me if my Ford knowledge is limited, this is my first Ford after years of Toyotas) my truck automatically high idles on its own. 05 F-350.
these trucks do however ramp up the idle a little bit when the outside temp reaches 60 or below. i think that's the temp range. someone correct me if i'm wrong. but however the factory high idle isn't high enough to prevent carbon buildup and wet stacking.
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From: Grande Prairie, AB
these trucks don't come from the factory with the high idle hooked up. you have to go under the dash and hook up a couple wires to one of the upfitter switches. it should be hooked up to the #3 or 4 switch since the #1 and 2 are higher amperage switches and should be used for applications with higher current requirements like aftermarket lights and what not.
these trucks do however ramp up the idle a little bit when the outside temp reaches 60 or below. i think that's the temp range. someone correct me if i'm wrong. but however the factory high idle isn't high enough to prevent carbon buildup and wet stacking.
these trucks do however ramp up the idle a little bit when the outside temp reaches 60 or below. i think that's the temp range. someone correct me if i'm wrong. but however the factory high idle isn't high enough to prevent carbon buildup and wet stacking.
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mxer-
Yes that is basically what i am asking, if i have been plowing in my truck for a few hours and i stop to take a short break and idle should i immediately flip my switch to high idle? Or can it idle normal for 10-15 minutes before i get back in?
I basically knew it was a bad idea to start it in high idle i was just curious if anyone out there was doing it w/o any issues.
Is there a known engine temperature and a known ambient air temperature range that results in wet stacking i guess is the million dollar question i'm trying to figure out.
Flycanadianguy-
Yes the trucks will idle up on their own just as you say, the high idle switch we are referring to is a mod you can do yourself w/ one of your upfitter switches where you can manually put the engine into a high idle. To take it out of high idle w/ this mod you can also step on the brake, release the park brake, or flip the switch the off. Some guys rig it so you can adjust the rpms using a **** switch.
Yes that is basically what i am asking, if i have been plowing in my truck for a few hours and i stop to take a short break and idle should i immediately flip my switch to high idle? Or can it idle normal for 10-15 minutes before i get back in?
I basically knew it was a bad idea to start it in high idle i was just curious if anyone out there was doing it w/o any issues.
Is there a known engine temperature and a known ambient air temperature range that results in wet stacking i guess is the million dollar question i'm trying to figure out.
Flycanadianguy-
Yes the trucks will idle up on their own just as you say, the high idle switch we are referring to is a mod you can do yourself w/ one of your upfitter switches where you can manually put the engine into a high idle. To take it out of high idle w/ this mod you can also step on the brake, release the park brake, or flip the switch the off. Some guys rig it so you can adjust the rpms using a **** switch.
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Joined: Jul 2008
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From: Grande Prairie, AB
Flycanadianguy-
Yes the trucks will idle up on their own just as you say, the high idle switch we are referring to is a mod you can do yourself w/ one of your upfitter switches where you can manually put the engine into a high idle. To take it out of high idle w/ this mod you can also step on the brake, release the park brake, or flip the switch the off. Some guys rig it so you can adjust the rpms using a **** switch.
Yes the trucks will idle up on their own just as you say, the high idle switch we are referring to is a mod you can do yourself w/ one of your upfitter switches where you can manually put the engine into a high idle. To take it out of high idle w/ this mod you can also step on the brake, release the park brake, or flip the switch the off. Some guys rig it so you can adjust the rpms using a **** switch.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Tooele, UT
Just to clarify something here. If I leave my truck idling (when the engine is cold OR warm) after a minute or more (havent really timed it) my engine will automatically idle up to about 1100RPM and hold there for ATLEAST 1-2 minutes. I havent actually watched or timed it, so these times are approx. As soon as I step on the brake pedal (while it is in high idle) it will immediately bring down the RPMS to I believe 800ish. Is this not an automatic high idle option from Ford? It is quite common to see newer Diesel engines do this in Alberta (Northern Canada) maybe its a Canadian thing? Or am I missing something completely? I understand some are able to adjust this idle position, and I cannot, but isnt it the same thing?