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Extended Idling for a roadside nap.

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We all know extended idling is bad but is it really safe to run the motor at 1,000 RPM for an extended period? Yes/No? Or is that just another myth?



I'm asking because last night I pulled over for an hour to take a nap. Normally I shut off the truck but last night the cold rain cooled off the cab quickly.



So I started the truck and ran the defrost to keep the windows clear and add a little load to the motor. Which of course was my way of fooling myself into believing the A/C system would magically create enough load to prevent cylinder washdown.



In any case, I have a 98. 5 so no high ldle feature. I'm fairly certain for less than $4 I could build a "highly scientific device" to hold the throttle at 1k RPMs.



Anyone see a problem running the engine at 1k RPMs for 1-2 hrs without undue harm (Cylinder washdown, etc)?
 
For an hour or 2 then drive as normal, not a big problem. For extended time, the EGT's should be up around 420 degrees to eliminate wet stacking.
 
At the price of fuel if ya do it much look into the Espar heater. My truck sit's in the shop ( unheated) and it's toasty warm when we get in. Window's dont frost up coolant is warm.
 
For what it's worth, the owners manual says not to do it and gives the reasons why...



"Engine Idling — In Cold Weather



Avoid prolonged idling. Long periods of idling may be harmful to your engine because combustion chamber temperatures can drop so low that the fuel may not burn completely. Incomplete combustion allows carbon and varnish to form on piston rings and injector nozzles. Also, the unburned fuel can enter the crankcase, diluting the oil and causing rapid wear to the engine. "
 
We all know extended idling is bad but is it really safe to run the motor at 1,000 RPM for an extended period? Yes/No? Or is that just another myth?



I'm asking because last night I pulled over for an hour to take a nap. Normally I shut off the truck but last night the cold rain cooled off the cab quickly.



So I started the truck and ran the defrost to keep the windows clear and add a little load to the motor. Which of course was my way of fooling myself into believing the A/C system would magically create enough load to prevent cylinder washdown.



In any case, I have a 98. 5 so no high ldle feature. I'm fairly certain for less than $4 I could build a "highly scientific device" to hold the throttle at 1k RPMs.



Anyone see a problem running the engine at 1k RPMs for 1-2 hrs without undue harm (Cylinder washdown, etc)?



Put you a old hand throttle on it or gust cut you a board to place from dash to foot feed to keep it at a 1000RPM
 
I ran my old '01 overnight while sleeping in it in northern cold climates many times when I was transporting and temps were below freezing. I activated the exhaust brake and used the aftermarket fast idle kit to increase idle speed against the brake enough to keep egt up around 400*. Don't know if it was a good thing to do but it was necessary at the time and I never saw evidence of harm done.
 
For what it's worth, the owners manual says not to do it and gives the reasons why...



"Engine Idling — In Cold Weather



Avoid prolonged idling. Long periods of idling may be harmful to your engine because combustion chamber temperatures can drop so low that the fuel may not burn completely. Incomplete combustion allows carbon and varnish to form on piston rings and injector nozzles. Also, the unburned fuel can enter the crankcase, diluting the oil and causing rapid wear to the engine. "



If an engine can't idle for an hour I sure as hel don't want it. Have you ever been around a 24v? Or just real handy at quoting?



Eight hours a night for 52 weeks will cause problems, one hour no sweat, exhaust brake would be great.
 
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