Drive it like you stole it vs. babying it

[Crunch]

I've heard this a lot, and I think I kind of understand it, but it still goes against everything I was ever taught about engine care. Why is it better to be harder on the engine?



I understand that if you baby the engine for years and the one day beat it like a 3-legged dog you can damage it. But how does driving it like you stole it help the engine in terms of longevity? The only thing I can think of is that prolonged low-stress engine operation is more likely to leave varnishes and other deposits on engine components that would normally get hot enough to burn off or prevent the deposits in the first place. But that's only one aspect of engine longevity and operation. What about stress on parts like injectors and other moving or high-temp parts? Do these also benefit from dramatic, police chase driving, or should I listen to what my dad taught me about taking care of an engine?

 

[klenger]

http://www.cummins.com/na/pages/en/....cfm?uuid=44F01352-FC52-11D3-984A0004AC33EA57

 

[Gonzo 1066]

Automotive Diesel engeneering has come a LONG way from the time when Babying a engine was a good thing. You have to understand one thing about the 5. 9 we are using in our Dodge trucks. They are a INDUSTRIAL DESIGN adapted for use in a pickup truck. These engines are not a modified or adapted from a gas engine design to fit into a short engine compartment.

When you see one of these engines in a log skidder or Ag tractor you will understand how they are ment to be run. The typical Ag tractor with a 5. 9 will run full throttle and near full load for up to 18 hours per day. A log skidder not only has to endure severe loads but also severe hills, cold, heat and sometimes poor maintaince.

The main diffrence between a diesel and a gas engine is that the diesel actually runs better the closer it is to its maximum load.

This has to due with having a slower crankshaft speed to develop its maximum torque, the thermal efficency advantage of a longer stroke and the turbocharger improveing the efficency of the engine as if works harder. We very seldom are close to using the power potential of these fine engines in common driving.

It takes heat to make these engines run a long life, make it work once and a while it is good for it.

DRIVE IT HARD!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Jff24Gordn]

Or option 3

Drive it like you stole it and the cops are shooting at you

 

[lil red cummins]

as long as my temp gauge has moved up just into the "lined" area, the engine gets used. i had it full on through 5th gear before it hit 100 miles. i dont do it all the time, but i do get into it at least every other day - assuming it gets up warmed a little.



so far the oil is still like new and has not used a drop at just over 1200 miles. needless to say, i dont drive nearly as much as many others on this site.



torque is good!



jim.

 

[Crunch]

Originally posted by Jff24Gordn

Or option 3

Drive it like you stole it and the cops are shooting at you

Doesn't that require that you drive on sidewalks, run over mail boxes and continue to race down the highway even though you are trailing a shower of sparks?



But seriously... if you have a Cummins 5. 9 that has been properly broken in what will babying it do to the engine at that point? The rings should be seated and all heat affected surfaces are probably well seasoned at that point. From my experience it has been the fluctuations in temperature and the expanding/contracting properties of different metals that cause the wear on engines (outside of lubricating and cooling fluids).

 

[EMD-Run8]

I'm certainly no mechanical engineer or even an expert mechanic but if "drive it like you stole" means driving it like Bo and Luke Duke then I certainly think you won't get nearly as good a fuel mileage as you could get with these trucks. You probably won't get as much life out of the engine either. Exactly how much or how little I couldn't tell you. I got 18. 7 mpg with my first tank of fuel in mine and ran it out several times and maybe gave it a little more throttle than was necessary a lot more than that. I'm satisfied with that and I expect the truck should get around 23 or so when I'm done with it (Amsoil, exhaust, etc. ) under "normal" conditions. I think driving around like you have an egg under your foot ALL THE TIME probably isn't good either (not to mention potentially unsafe when your driving in traffic). You may notice that your water temp gauge won't get to full temp without lettin' the motor have a little boost here and there at least at this time of the year (even in north Florida). Getting the engine to full operating temp before you shut it back down is important. There is a BIG difference between this engine running at 3000 rpm's in a generator for days or weeks on end and the same engine running in wide variations from 750 to 3200 rpm's in a road vehicle all day. Still, the Cummins 5. 9 is a thoroughbred engine with a LOOOOOOONNNNNNNGGGGGGG track record. Use what you need to use and don't be afraid to have a little fun with it too!! Enjoy!

 

[RobertBolinger]

Originally posted by Jff24Gordn

Or option 3

Drive it like you stole it and the cops are shooting at you

Reminds me of a ricer tailgate from a junkyard me and buddy shot about 30 holes in-my crazy brother hung it on the wall when he was in college and told everybody he was driving the truck when it got shot up and he got away



I'm with lil red cummins-I've run it to 3000 through all gears except 6th (not yet at least )

 

[AGrubbs]

Well, I think that 'DLYSI' comes from the fact that if you baby it, you can build up 'junk' in the engine due to the cool temperatures. Warming it up will help burn out any buildup. Look up 'wet stacking' to see what I mean.



Here's a couple of linkes. http://www.intellidog.com/dieselmann/b_smoke9.htm

and http://www.ytmag.com/ttalk/messages/332005.html



Also, some engines with VNT turbo's will tend to soot up the vane mechanicals causing problems with boost control. At least thats what I tell people when I take my TDI Diesel VW up to about 110 MPH ever so often!

 

[jimnance]

Running the engine hard increases internal cylinder pressure (ICP). With a new engine you want the ICP's high as this pressure forces the rings more tightly against the cylinder barrel. This accelerates the process during which the rings seat with the barrel.



Inadequate pressure can slow this process. In a worst case scenario the cylinder wall glazes before the rings have seated. This leads to increased blow by and higher oil consumption.



I wouldn't suggest that you abuse the engine by running it WOT at 3,000 RPM for an extended period of time, but I would suggest that you not baby the engine. That is very bad for engine break in.

 

[Heavy Duty]

The worse thing you can do to this engine is to lug it. I never let my RPMs drop below 12-1300 before down shifting running empty and 1600-1700 towing. Lugging the engine, especially under a load, can cause not only high EGTs but can also bust compression rings, melt the tops of pistons and even blow head gaskets (personal experiance ). High RPMs are OK just as long as you stay out of the RED on the tack. I shift the first 3 set of gears around 1800 RPM to take advantage of the low end torque. This engine was designed for delivering torque at low RPMs and the CTD seems to respond well shifting like that and picks up speed quickly.



I am now on my 3rd CTD, 2nd six-speed, and I tow a 4-horse gooseneck trailer a lot. On all three I found the sweet spot to be around 22-2300 RPM. At that RPM you should be able to walk most grades on the interstate with out having put your favorite beverage down and down shift, and witout much RPM drop. The only down side to the those RPMs is that you are running about 74-76 MPH. On two lane highways I use the cruse control a lot because this truck just seems to want to do some serious hauling and before you know it you're running well over the speed limit. So invest in a good radar detector or a good CB so you know where ole smokey bear is hiding out. I have been stopped a couple of times and was lucy to get out of the tickets. Mostly because Smokey was more interested in the truck and the critters than giving a ticket. One time I told smokey that the horses were hot and i was trying to cool them off . After smokey saw 4 sweating horses in the trailer he let me go.



Normal driving I do drive it like I stole it. But I don't try and mash the go pedel to the radiator. Along time ago an old timer told me that if you baby these Cummins engines they tend to get tight and they don't run as good. I think he was right because I have tried driving diesels (Cat, Cummins, and Detroits) both ways and found that by working them hard they last longer and run better. Just remember to let it idle for 5 or 6 minutes after towing to cool things down.



Of course I do baby my truck. It gets put to bed every night. Heck, my wife told me that before long I'll be singing bedtime songs to it. Hadn't tought of that one. Anyone know of any good songs to sing?:-laf



Sorry about the long post but that is my experiance and opinion. Enjoy the ride .

 

[MMotschman]

I think:

"Big ol Truck" by toby kieth

"She thinks my Tractors Sexy"

 

[lawdog1]

How 'bout



"Lord its Hard to be Humble, when your perfect in every way!"

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

I like the comments jimnance and Heavy Duty made, right on the mark. Work it hard, don't abuse it, and don't lug it



When breaking mine in I didn't go hard on it for the first 50-75 miles then I started gradually rolling into the throttle harder and harder then backing off, varying RPM and load, and by 100 miles I had floored it a couple times.



I spent a lot of time driving around town and country roads the first 150 miles which was perfect for constantly varying RPM. If I came to a red light I'd bring RPM up to avoid idling. I keep the RPM up driving around too, often running 2400-2700 rpm for extended time. In fact I never used 6th gear until I had about 200 miles on my truck.



I often see posts by guys compaining of mileage and also commenting about babying the truck, I believe their problem is not driving it hard enough and mileage will actually get better if they drive them harder.



Another reason for driving diesels harder is it helps keep the combustion chambers and injectors clean, heat burns off deposits, which will accumulate if you baby it all the time. I've noticed in the winter if I've driven in town a lot then take my truck out and run it hard down the highway it runs noticeably better afterwards.



Vaughn

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

Our engines have chrome rings for durability in a diesel. They don't seat instantly like plasma moly rings. You need to do some moderate work at least, getting on and off the pedal, to help them seat rather than glazing the walls. I recommend something between babying and stealing. . . maybe drive it like you borrowed it from someone you don't hate, but don't like real well, either

 

[XcumminsX]

Since i never tow. I drive it like i stole it. (only when it is at operating temp) when its warming up i keep it under 2200 rpm



Nick

 

[Dean Upson]

Originally posted by Joseph Donnelly

I recommend something between babying and stealing. . . maybe drive it like you borrowed it from someone you don't hate, but don't like real well, either

Very good, Joe. I think that is about the soundest advice I have seen on this subject:-laf.



Dean

 

[Agades]

dont drive it like you stole it.



the sheet metal on these things aint too tough.



I already tested the durability of the inside of the box. Not too impressed

 

[Tony T.]

Any time my CTD gets fired up I always bring it up to temperature even if just running up to the convenience store. I will go ahead and drive around for awhile to do this. I do believe it is important like others have said keeping the foreign matter from building up and causing problems later on. I don't drive like I stole it, but do not baby it either, kinda like Joe's theory, I tow every so often. When I'm not towing usually about once a week or so will take it out and run it. Winter driving only having a 10 mile trip to work I will usually take the longer route which adds about 3 to 4 miles more and temps are usually up to around the 200 mark by then. Weather I'm towing or not I always cool the turbo off at least one minute when unloaded. Hopefully in the near future I will have some gauges along with some other stuff I can slip pass the warden, I mean my wife. :-laf

 

[dieselpilot1969]

Originally posted by XcumminsX

Since i never tow. I drive it like i stole it. (only when it is at operating temp) when its warming up i keep it under 2200 rpm



Nick

The same for me, after 600 miles I drove it to michigan from texas, in and out of the go pedal pretty hard except for in Indiana. Anyhow No oil used yet to date