coolant and temp issue

[bgddydg]

Hello all, I have a 2012 3500 single axle, was on a camping trip in steamboat springs for the last few days, to get there from castle rock, co, you have to go over rabbit ears pass. elevation 9426...anyway my wife and I (and dogs) were in our ram and hauling about 12k behind us in our fifth wheel... we stopped at the summit of rabbit ears and wanted to check out something inside the trailer, when I came back around to the front of the truck we had a large puddle of antifreeze on the ground... usually my truck runs about 200 degrees on the temp gauge, when we are hauling the trailer uphill we will go on up to about 225, but on level ground or on the descent down we drop back down to 200. I let the truck cool for about 10-15 minutes and we were on our way again , no problem. I did shut the truck off when we stopped at the summit... was that my error and should I have left it running so the fan would keep running. It seemed to me after thinking about it, I should have left it running, just wondering if anyone else has experienced this. We also went over and through eisenhower tunnel and the summit outside silverthorne, (an even steeper and higher elevation... 11013) did heat up to 220, but came right back down to 200 on the descent...

 

[leonandlisa]

I would have left it running, the fan helps, but to keep the coolant flowing. When it sits it boils if it can’t keep moving and transferring the heat. You also want to let the turbo cool down too from what I understand.

 

[Kirwin]

Owners manual says idle up to 10 minutes after long pulls at max GCWR.

 

[Cummins12V98]

When towing I never shut my truck off even while getting fuel, food or rest area breaks.

 

[ram17]

I believe the law in most states indicate a limit to the amount of time any diesel can idle.

 

[Cummins12V98]

Oh well! I also beleive my truck is a clean idle vehicle.

 

[Newsa]

Oh well! I also beleive my truck is a clean idle vehicle.

They are clean diesels. The law is to conserve fuel. Not sure it applies to non-commercial vehicles tho

 

[Kirwin]

I don't care what the law says. If I'm pulling my trailer, my truck is going to run 10 minutes minumum before shutdown. If it is keeping my family cool, its going to run until I'm ready to get back on the road. I just can't see the LEO telling me I have to shut down my engine because the sign says I can't idle my diesel engine, burning my fuel that I paid for. When I go to court, I'm tearing that page out of my owners manual and taking it with me to show the judge. What about gassers? They can idle all night but my diesel can't???? The law was written by some person (idiot) that hasn't a clue what happens to a turbo bearing at 1300 degrees exhaust temperature with no coolant or oil flow on a hot shutdown. Its my $70K truck, I choose to follow the manufacture's recomendations on operation of it. There I'm off my soap box.

 

[jhenderson]

Maybe you should check the actual law on extended idling where you are before making rash statements.

 

[Missouri Mule]

Florida Rest Areas are 5 to 10 minutes on the truck side or least the one I stop at some times is.
The truckers of course leave their refridge units on but many leave the power plant running also.

 

[Newsa]

Maybe you should check the actual law on extended idling where you are before making rash statements.

I don't consider it "rash." Many pull interstate (especially when pulling a trailer). So the above comments are valid for many.

I researched a bit and found that most laws/most states apply their laws to any GCW greater than 10,000. I previously thought they would only police the big rigs.

But when considering enforability, the cop would actually need to sit there and time how long you are idling. I doubt many officers would do that. My cousin is a state trooper. He says he doesn't know anyone who would do that. Much easier and quicker to prove speeding and other moving violations. State law enforcement in most states is actually a money-making branch of government. In Florida, they have so many miles of interstate in a thin state, the troopers actually make more money for the state than they spend on vehicles, salaries, and other expenses.

 

[jhenderson]

Too bad you didn’t read the entire law as written. Most states allow for engine cool down and passenger comfort exceptions, both of which were the complaints Kirwin cited. That’s what I meant by checking the law. Something you didn’t do. As usual.

 

[Newsa]

Too bad you didn’t read the entire law as written. Most states allow for engine cool down and passenger comfort exceptions, both of which were the complaints Kirwin cited. That’s what I meant by checking the law. Something you didn’t do. As usual.

I saw about 5-7 states that allow for passenger, driver comfort. But even in some of those states there is a limit to how long you can idle for passenger comfort.

The 3 min, 5 min, 10 min allowance is for engine cool down. All states have a 10 min or less engine cool down allowance.
But in a state that only allows 3 mins for cool down, that is a bad law that contradicts many manufacturers recommendations.

If a state or county allowed unlimited idle for passenger comfort, then the law would be moot. A driver could use the excuse that they are sleeping in the truck and needed to idle for comfort.

What you forgot to consider is that when we cross state and county lines, it is a valid concern for those who need to idle for various reasons. So your original comment about "checking the laws in your area before making rash comments" is really unnecessary.

 

[jhenderson]

No it wasn’t. He specifically cited cool down and passenger comfort, which is addressed in the regs. Every state that limits idle time is different. Hence checking the laws in your area of travel before getting wound up over nothing. 3 minutes? Check your pyro with a stop watch. By the time you get off the highway, locate your parking and get situated 3 more minutes will have you about as cool as you’re going to get.

 

[kthaxton]

The law is to conserve fuel.

Those laws are for emission purposes.

 

[Ozymandias]

I did shut the truck off when we stopped at the summit... was that my error and should I have left it running so the fan would keep running.

Jep that was your fault - never ever shut down an engine that has worked hard, there is a lot of heat inside that want out.
If shut down that moment you get hot spots inside the cylinderblock where the water starts to boil and thats why you found the water under the truck.

 

[Ozymandias]

Too bad you didn’t read the entire law as written. Most states allow for engine cool down and passenger comfort exceptions, both of which were the complaints Kirwin cited. That’s what I meant by checking the law. Something you didn’t do. As usual.

So it is over here - unnecessary idling is prohibited.

 

[Newsa]

Those laws are for emission purposes.

Have the laws been adapted for clean idle diesels?

 

[kthaxton]

Have the laws been adapted for clean idle diesels?

I don't know, but I seriously doubt it.....since they will still emit pollutants. At least with the no idle policies that some local cities here in Utah have incorporated, I don't recall any exceptions other than emergency vehicle use and maybe a couple others.