Facts about diesel ideling

Wild Card wrote:
Diesel generators go from asleep to duty RPM right now.

x2. I worked for a company who owned a large tow able air compressor unit. It had a inline 4 cyl diesel,cannot remember what brand the engine was but I think it was probably a cummins or perkins. That engine had no idle, when started it simply went from starter speed to full duty throttle speed in about two sec. I felt sure that thing would never last the winter but 5 years later to my surprise it was still working without any problems. Seldom ever added any oil to it. Shut down was the same, full load to stop instantly. Makes one wonder if warm up/cool down is really that important. However I always do it on my truck.

Choose your campsites more wisely, and it won't matter to you who is idling their diesel.

Hannibal wrote:

hotpepperkid wrote:
Its my truck my fuel and my money, if I want to let it idle all day I will. If it is really hot out and it get that way in AZ and I going into a store in is going to be idling with the AC on until I come out and if I lived where it was 0 I would let it idle with the heater on until I come out of the store however long it takes

I have a $200 car with a $3000, 4000 watt boom box and some rap music cd's. It's my car, my gas, my music and I'll play it as loud and long as I want to because I enjoy being annoying! Hey! We have a lot in common! :B

LOL x2 unfortunately hotpepperkid probably leaves his blasting stereo on and thumping pushing those windows out with every beat while he's in shopping.

hotpepperkid wrote:
Its my truck my fuel and my money, if I want to let it idle all day I will. If it is really hot out and it get that way in AZ and I going into a store in is going to be idling with the AC on until I come out and if I lived where it was 0 I would let it idle with the heater on until I come out of the store however long it takes

I have a $200 car with a $3000, 4000 watt boom box and some rap music cd's. It's my car, my gas, my music and I'll play it as loud and long as I want to because I enjoy being annoying! Hey! We have a lot in common! :B

garyp4951 wrote:

DutchmenSport wrote:

allen8106 wrote:

DutchmenSport wrote:
...

I'm pretty sure theres no requirement to wait for it to drop to low idle before you drive.

Probably not, but if taking off on fast idle, backing out of the garage, or whatever, have to ride the brakes harder. Usually, it drops from fast to slow quickly, like ... 60 seconds. By the time I get my seat belt buckled and radio set, it's usually dropped low.

The important thing with idle, and my dad always said this (with gasoline engines), is to run the engine just long enough the oil circulates to the top of the engine, as it drains down when the engine is shut off. And that takes only a couple seconds to happen. Basically, been following his advise ever since. The only reason to run a longer idle is to warm up the passenger area or defrost windows in my opinion.

My high idle comes down as soon as I touch the brake pedal.

Mine does also.

Idling is for idiots. Cuts engine life.

I'm an OTR driver and a Dodge owner. Let's find what the operators manual states on the subject of idling. In one word, don't.

Webasto or Espar bunk heaters have eliminated cold weather idling at truck stops. AC use is the remaining exception.

I like I buy a used diesel pickup from a guy who warmed it up 15" every morning? Not knowingly.

Put it in gear and ease away.

As for idle after a hard pull, exiting the Interstate and proceeding to a fuel stop or whatever will have reduced temps adequately. Even a short distance is enough.

NJRVer wrote:

fulltimedaniel wrote:

hotpepperkid wrote:
Its my truck my fuel and my money, if I want to let it idle all day I will. If it is really hot out and it get that way in AZ and I going into a store in is going to be idling with the AC on until I come out and if I lived where it was 0 I would let it idle with the heater on until I come out of the store however long it takes

It is your truck and your money however it is definitely NOT just your AIR you are needlessly polluting. And doing so for the worst reasons... your personal comfort level.

But it is definitely NOT good for a diesel to idle for long periods unless the idle is raised up.

My Dodge has this feature and I thought the others did too but maybe not. I just hit the cruise "on" button and then "set" and the idle will raise up to a safe level if you want it higher just keep hitting set.

Idling while you are shopping so your cab can be cool is just irresponsible in this day and age.

Idling to keep your truck cool?
I would get the A/C fixed. I have been in Mexicali/Calexico in Aug and 112deg with a black truck. You could singe your fingers on the paint practically. Guess what...when I started it up and turned the A/C to Max Cool, it cooled down. Never needed to leave it running.

Heat maybe an excuse, but A/C, get it fixed. The money you save in unburned fuel will pay for fixing it.

As I posted earlier, just another one of those "hey look at me" diesel owners.

fulltimedaniel wrote:

hotpepperkid wrote:
Its my truck my fuel and my money, if I want to let it idle all day I will. If it is really hot out and it get that way in AZ and I going into a store in is going to be idling with the AC on until I come out and if I lived where it was 0 I would let it idle with the heater on until I come out of the store however long it takes

It is your truck and your money however it is definitely NOT just your AIR you are needlessly polluting. And doing so for the worst reasons... your personal comfort level.

But it is definitely NOT good for a diesel to idle for long periods unless the idle is raised up.

My Dodge has this feature and I thought the others did too but maybe not. I just hit the cruise "on" button and then "set" and the idle will raise up to a safe level if you want it higher just keep hitting set.

Idling while you are shopping so your cab can be cool is just irresponsible in this day and age.

Idling to keep your truck cool?
I would get the A/C fixed. I have been in Mexicali/Calexico in Aug and 112deg with a black truck. You could singe your fingers on the paint practically. Guess what...when I started it up and turned the A/C to Max Cool, it cooled down. Never needed to leave it running.

Heat maybe an excuse, but A/C, get it fixed. The money you save in unburned fuel will pay for fixing it.

trailerbikecamper wrote:
The first myth about idling for warm up time is in direct contravention of my owners manual. My manula states that, the vehicle should not be driven at higher than 1200 RPM until the engine reaches normal operating temperature.

Beside the fact that this article seems to be geared toward the commercial trucking industry, not the personal owner.

I couldn't drive down the neighborhood street if that was the case.

trailerbikecamper wrote:
The first myth about idling for warm up time is in direct contravention of my owners manual. My manula states that, the vehicle should not be driven at higher than 1200 RPM until the engine reaches normal operating temperature.

Beside the fact that this article seems to be geared toward the commercial trucking industry, not the personal owner.

If you don't mind my asking, what vehicle are you referring too? I haven't found a rpm limit in any of my owners manuals for driving before reaching full operating temperature.