Base Idle, Fast Idle, Non Idle - Best Practices Diesel

Mr.Mark wrote:
We are now in the coach and this is what our basic starting procedure states from the Prevost Owner's Manual regarding the Volvo D13 engine:

Caution: Do not press accelerator pedal before starting. This could result in an electronic control unit fault and degrade the fuel system control.

Caution: Special precautions are necessary with turbocharged engines to avoid possible turbine damage. After staring, run the engine at normal idle for two minutes to allow lubricating oil to reach the turbocharger. Then run the engine at fast idle. Let oil pressure reach normal operation range before driving.

MM.

Thanks for the update. Very interesting how Cummins and Detroit Diesel approach this differently. I think I like the Cummins approach better because you can basically get moving within 10 seconds of starting the engine.

We are now in the coach and this is what our basic starting procedure states from the Prevost Owner's Manual regarding the Volvo D13 engine:

Caution: Do not press accelerator pedal before starting. This could result in an electronic control unit fault and degrade the fuel system control.

Caution: Special precautions are necessary with turbocharged engines to avoid possible turbine damage. After starting, run the engine at normal idle for two minutes to allow lubricating oil to reach the turbocharger. Then run the engine at fast idle. Let oil pressure reach normal operation range before driving.

MM.

bfast54 wrote:
I will wager YOU DO NOT know that "Special Parameters" are BUILT IN to our engine systems that GIVE US CONTROL over parameters ...the UNTRAINED un-needed public engines DO NOT HAVE ....(E.P.A. knows this)...

Spartan was very clear that firefighters can bypass the DEF limp and engine shutdowns. The EPA understands that a lack of DEF should not be sufficient reason to disable an engine and PTO especially if a fire engine is pumping water to put out a fire. After all, I'm sure a raging fire puts out more NOx than a Cummins engine at fast idle.

I just called Cummins and spoke to one of the technicians. He told me that the engine has a built in timer that will not allow it to fast idle or do anything harmful immediately upon startup without the oil pressure and system checks being cleared out by the ECM. This feature is called engine warmup protection.

He said I can go ahead and hit the fast idle speed immediately upon startup and the engine will fast idle when the engine is ready and in a position to high idle. So here's one where the computer keeps us from harming the engine.

holstein13 wrote:

FIRE UP wrote:
Well,
Never seen so much talk about idling a diesel. After over 35 years of running, driving and maintenancing diesels on FD, we two reasons to mess with the idle.

At the Spartan factory a few weeks ago, they couldn't stop telling us how hard the fire departments are on their vehicles, for a number of reasons. Yes, they race from place to place in stop and go traffic and are weighted with heavy water and gear, but also, Spartan claims that there is a different breed of person who can do the demanding and dangerous job of firefighting and they aren't always apt to care for the equipment properly. They are more "Get 'er done" type people.

WOW.......After nearly 30 yrs in the Fire/EMS service...I am a little surprised to hear that...."They couldnt stop telling us how hard the Fire Department............"....

Really.........??????.....

"WE"..... Have been their BREAD AND BUTTER for a number of years....WE tell them what we need...and they meet those needs......(I guess that person you talked to wasen't the Company P.R. guy..,L.O.L.

As was stated ------( and in my terms)....to phrase it a bit different....ANY FIREFIGHTER worth their salt...Takes care of the Equipment....THEIR LIVES..as well as the "Customers",.....people needing us..DEPEND ON IT.



TO the poster who suggests "we" read up..learn about these "New Engines"...????????..:R

I will wager YOU DO NOT know that "Special Parameters" are BUILT IN to our engine systems that GIVE US CONTROL over parameters ...the UNTRAINED un-needed public engines DO NOT HAVE ....(E.P.A. knows this)...

To the people who think that the "New engines are Idiot Proof",...


Think WHY did they NEED TO be made "This Way"...????....:h....:S

holstein13 wrote:

Mr.Mark wrote:
The way if works for us, is that I start the engine, let it run for a minute or two then hit 'high' idle from the rabbit switch on the dash. Now at high idle, I go to the bedroom and start to close the slides.

Our slides have air seals, so I hold the button to close, the seal deflates and then the slide moves. I have four slides to close. Once all closed, then I go out and disconnect the sewer, water and electric.

Then, we are ready to roll. I would say that it takes 12-15 minutes for all of that to take place. Our engine is loud, especially, if I have the dash air on. The MONSTER radiator fan will pull you into the coach if you are too close (almost, LOL!).

All I can say is, 'it is what it is'.... I can only do things so fast so if I'm running the idle too long, well , it's too long.

That makes a lot more sense now that you've described the process. In our coach, the slides won't move unless the key is off. I move in two slides at a time so it's quick anyway, but I put them in before I turn on the engine.

Out of curiosity, why don't you unhook the water / sewer / electric before starting the coach?

In my case, everything is ready to travel before I turn on the engine. After starting the engine, I immediately put it in high idle and walk outside to do a 360 degree walk-around and listen for the air system spitter and check my tire clearances to confirm everything is aired up. Then I walk in and take off. It's about one minute from engine start to putting it in drive.

Holstein13, well, sometimes I do disconnect the water and sewer before I start the engine. The above explanation is the worst case scenario.

Actually, I don't really need to connect water and sewer at nightly stops. Our holding tank is 189 gallons (black AND gray).. and fresh is also 189 gallons. The Liberty uses only the fresh water tank, never shore water. I only fill with shore water when needed.

MM.

Mr.Mark wrote:
The way if works for us, is that I start the engine, let it run for a minute or two then hit 'high' idle from the rabbit switch on the dash. Now at high idle, I go to the bedroom and start to close the slides.

Our slides have air seals, so I hold the button to close, the seal deflates and then the slide moves. I have four slides to close. Once all closed, then I go out and disconnect the sewer, water and electric.

Then, we are ready to roll. I would say that it takes 12-15 minutes for all of that to take place. Our engine is loud, especially, if I have the dash air on. The MONSTER radiator fan will pull you into the coach if you are too close (almost, LOL!).

All I can say is, 'it is what it is'.... I can only do things so fast so if I'm running the idle too long, well , it's too long.

That makes a lot more sense now that you've described the process. In our coach, the slides won't move unless the key is off. I move in two slides at a time so it's quick anyway, but I put them in before I turn on the engine.

Out of curiosity, why don't you unhook the water / sewer / electric before starting the coach?

In my case, everything is ready to travel before I turn on the engine. After starting the engine, I immediately put it in high idle and walk outside to do a 360 degree walk-around and listen for the air system spitter and check my tire clearances to confirm everything is aired up. Then I walk in and take off. It's about one minute from engine start to putting it in drive.

The way if works for us, is that I start the engine, let it run for a minute or two then hit 'high' idle from the rabbit switch on the dash. Now at high idle, I go to the bedroom and start to close the slides.

Our slides have air seals, so I hold the button to close, the seal deflates and then the slide moves. I have four slides to close. Once all closed, then I go out and disconnect the sewer, water and electric.

Then, we are ready to roll. I would say that it takes 12-15 minutes for all of that to take place. Our engine is loud, especially, if I have the dash air on. The MONSTER radiator fan will pull you into the coach if you are too close (almost, LOL!).

All I can say is, 'it is what it is'.... I can only do things so fast so if I'm running the idle too long, well , it's too long.

MM.

Just be reasonable. A few minutes here and there is NOT going to destroy the engine.

Sometimes (most times) a little knowledge can be detrimental.