1.2 miles to work, is this hard on the cummins??

[Archive]

1. 2 miles to work in the AM, sit for 8hrs 1. 2 miles home. I have never owned a diesel before. Before I order is there any considerations here??

 

[Archive]

Sounds to me like the least efficent way to run a diesel, or any motor for that matter. However that 1. 2 miles will be the best 1. 2 miles of your day with a big grin on your face both ways #ad


------------------
99,2500,qc,SLT,black,4wd,35Klb gooseneck hitch, K&N airfilter, 265/75/16 BFG ATko's

 

[Archive]

I have 2 miles to work. I generally take a route that gives me 5-10 miles to arrive. If I leave soon enough I take the 10 mile route. I have never tried to not warm the engine up to full operating temperature on the trip to work because I never have felt that if you start any internal combustion engine up and drive anywhere it is not good on the powerplant much less the fuel mileage. Maybe you don't have a choice of routes but even if you drive around a few blocks to get the effect I think you are better off.

 

[Archive]

Driving 1. 2 miles on gas or Diesel is not great for the engine. It takes at least 3- 5 miles for the Diesel to warm up. I had a 1- ton Ford van 7. 5(460) that took that many miles to warm up also. You mite have to do more engine, trans and dif maintanence. But if you plan to play(as into put the Diesel to work) on the week end, it will help out.

------------------
Missouri Mule 96 White 4X4 ST club cab,(grey int. ),5 spd, 3. 54 reg dif, 8 ft bed, 1 ft high cheater boards, front and side of bed,Pofile V bug shield,
99 Freight liner FL60 blue Cummins 24v 215 hp, 520 torgue,6 spd 3. 59 no spin rear, 16 ft dry box (white) 19. 5 low profile tires,Weight 11,000, gvw 23000, 11 to 12 mpg
Bill Thomas (Wild Bill)

 

[Archive]

One thing I've found on rigs that are seldom allowed to warm up is that the exaust system rots out fast. Condensation never steams off and rust starts. I think if you run it at highway speed for a half hour a week you should be OK.

 

[Archive]

move farther away!!!! then you can quit the conscience and just get on with the #ad
#ad
#ad

 

[Archive]

I would place a thin - 1/8" piece of wall paneling in front of the radiator and AC condenser to restrict air flow. Some of the folks in colder climates do this all winter to speed warmup. Watch the temp gauge to know when you've got the panel sized right.

------------------
2001 HO 6 speed Regular Cab SLT 4x4 3. 54 anti spin 2500. Used for the daily grind and sneaking away to some secret Baja beaches toting a cabover

 

[Archive]

If nobody is gonna say it I guess I will. If I had 1. 2 mile commute I think I'd walk or ride my bicycle. Not even the mighty Cummins can match that kind of milege.


Reguards,

Cat Skinner

------------------
2001 Quad Cab 4X4 LB ETH/DEE

 

[Archive]

Good excercise!!... good for the heart!!

 

[Archive]

If it stays as hot as it is now the truck will already be warmeed up when you get in it. No sweat, great air conditioner.

------------------
White 99 3500, QC, 3:55, auto. most options except leather, Line-X bed liner, fiberglass running boards Rancho 9000s, bug shield and window vents, black vented 5th wheel tailgate, 100 gal. aux. fuel tank.

 

[Archive]

I'd walk.

You could always call 1-800-DIESELS and get it straight from the horse's mouth. Ask for Harold, he's a straight shooter and he loves these motors.

------------------
Tom
96 2500 Ext-Cab, 4x4, 5sp/3. 54, NRA sticker, Pep Boys Li'l Skunk airfreshener, etc.

 

[Archive]

Walking sound great but not in Altamonte Springs to much traffic especially if Altexp has to cross 436 or I-4. Besides the Seven Day Adventist run the hospital there and they don't serve meat.

------------------
Missouri Mule 96 White 4X4 ST club cab,(grey int. ),5 spd, 3. 54 reg dif, 8 ft bed, 1 ft high cheater boards, front and side of bed,Pofile V bug shield,
99 Freight liner FL60 blue Cummins 24v 215 hp, 520 torgue,6 spd 3. 59 no spin rear, 16 ft dry box (white) 19. 5 low profile tires,Weight 11,000, gvw 23000, 11 to 12 mpg
Bill Thomas (Wild Bill)

 

[Archive]

Yes, 1. 2 mile each way will be hard on your engine. And this is not just any engine, it is a very special engine that will cost you $4300 to $6000 more than an equivalent gas engine equiped truck. With a gasser, you can drop a new engine in it for under 2k, well under 2k in some parts of the country. A diesel rebuild us usually 2 to 3 times more expensive. I love the diesel, but it is a major investment, and I would try to use something else for your daily commute, save the diesel for weekends when you "need" (or want) it. You sound like a perfect candidate for an all-electric [second] car. If you don't put many miles on per year, then diesel may not be right for you unless you need to do some really heavy duty towing.

------------------
2001 ETH, QC, LWB, 4WD, 3. 54, SPA Pyro & Boost, Leer Cab-high shell, ARB's soon

 

[Archive]

best of both worlds--conserve the motor by not doing a 1. 2x2 mile drive daily---get the exercise by pushing the truck...

 

[Archive]

I drive 3. 0 miles to work, engine is barely getting toward "Normal" zone on temp when I arrive. Always plug it in except in the summer, so that helps considerably IMO!!! Last winter on my '98 with a lot of short trip driving in cold weather (the WORST!) my oil analysis would come back great (very low wear metals & fuel dilution).

I say plug it in every night with a timer set 2-3 hours before departure time and don't worry about it!

Vaughn

 

[Archive]

This would not be good for any motor. It takes me 8-10 miles of driving to bring water temp up to normal range and another 5 miles to bring the rest of the block up to temp. You will notice more blow by and never get the rings to seat real good unless you can generate some heat. Running the block heater will help the engine but the rest of the drive train (transmission/diffs) will still be cold.

 

[Archive]

I think Vaughn is right. I, also, used to drive 3 mile trips in 10-20 degree weather. Plugged it in at night and the anaylized oil was always fine. I now drive 22 miles to work so its a non issue any more. 63,000 miles and Blackstone tells me I'm far below average wear for the miles. Your concern is legitimate though.

 

[Archive]

1. 2 miles? Shoot! I'm doing 64 miles each way. That's over 600 miles per week! I should get an economy car, but since I come home late at night on 2 lane highways with a lot of head-on collisions and drunk drivers, I'm sticking to my Dodge. If your 1. 2 miles is too dangerous to walk or bike, use your truck and to hell with the engine. You can always get a new truck, but according to my calculations, you probably won't need one:
Let's see, 1. 2 miles each way is 2. 4 miles. . 5 days a week, 48 weeks a year (taking into account holidays, vacation, & sick days). . that comes out to 806 miles per year. Cummins says these engines won't need to be rebuilt until 300,000 miles, so you should be able to get to work and back with that truck for the next 372 years!
Andy

[This message has been edited by Andy Perreault (edited 07-18-2000). ]

 

[Archive]

Rich M made a good suggestion.
I have a harness here so you can pull it.
Then add a few trucks for fun.

#ad


------------------
My Site

 

[Archive]

Nothing is hard on a Cummins! 'cept how it pulls when you hit the gassssss...

------------------
2000, 13k miles,4x,qc,6sp,3. 54,285/75r16 bfg/at's, VA, popup cmpr, 9000 lbs,14. 5-16. 5 mpg, WB6BFD for ID.