How long is too long for idling???

[FPoitra]

This is my first post as I am a new member. First diesel-o4 2500 Black Sport, Taupe interior. First of all, I have been following and reading this site daily. I cant say enough how AWESOME this site is. Info is invaluable and I am glad to now be a part of. Anyway, I live in ND and it already was below zero a couple of times. How long should I let my truck idle for warm up?? And how long is considered too long just so I know. Thanks for your help.

Freddy

 

[dieselpilot1969]

cut you a stick or 2x2 long enough so you can wedge it in between your seat mount and gas pedal and trim it long enough so your idle will be at least 1000 rpm's

 

[FPoitra]

But it already idles at 1000 rpm in the high idle mode, which occurs quite frequently by the way. I do have a "stick" that I used for awhile that idled it at 1500 RPM, but stopped using it because I didn;t know if was safe to do or not, just figured it brought it closer to operating temp by using the stick. (actually a curtain rod; adjustable and cheap)

 

[dieselpilot1969]

after the fast idle mode then it idles normal, not good for long idle fuel get's in oil keep it over 1100 should make egt's stay warm enough

 

[ImagesThatSing]

We use a brush/scraper and adjust the seat to idle at 1500 or so for about 10 minutes in cold weather, just till it reaches full operating temperature and maybe a few minutes more.

 

[bighammer]

I give it a minute or 2 and then just drive it. It warms up faster driving than it does sitting. After about 2 or 3 miles down the road, I have heat.

 

[gonzo2]

I agree with bighammer. Back when I lived where there is winter I would let my '98 Idle for a couple of minutes (maybe a bit more at -40!) then let the driving bring it up to temp. Just don't abuse the revs or boost while still warming up.



Oh! and if you run out of fuel, you probably idled too long.

 

[DHess]

Start it, idle in Neutral, scrape/clear the windows, and go. Two or three minutes idle and drive a little conservative for the first mile or two. And I support plugging in below about +20 degrees.



Dave

 

[FPoitra]

So would letting it idle for 15 or 20 minutes be acceptable in the high idle mode or using a "stick" of some sort? I just dont see letting it idle for 3 minutes sufficient, especially in sub-zero temps.

 

[sag2]

I see no reason to let it idle longer than it takes for the oil pressure to come up. Start it, and drive. If they didn't want it to be driven right away, they would build something in to keep you from doing it. Cold parts do not wear any faster than warm ones. Just use common sense, and don't run it full load until it warms up some.

And it does warm up much faster driving than idling.

 

[TBrennan]

From what I've read sag2 is right on. Idling to warm up is a myth. Seems logical to us humans that need a good shower and a cup of joe to get going in the morning but metal and oil are far different.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Start, scape & go

Yup, idling your truck for more than a couple minutes in the morning on a regular basis definitely is not good for the Cummins. It doesn't hurt a gasser but could have negative consequences on your diesel if it becomes a habit.



Like DHess & Sag2 say, start it, scrape, and go!



Vaughn

 

[PLaFrombois]

Two to three minutes should be the most you need to idle for start-up. By the time I check oil, fuel pressure, and wait for the battery gauge to read normal my EGT's are at 200-250. Buckle-up and go.

Paul

 

[David Oxland]

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=83223





There's a bit of a recent discussion here about along with a few links to articles

 

[y-knot]

Maybe my answer is right or in vouge, but I never realy cared about how long it idled. In the mournings I think it is wise to let it warm up a bit before heading out, and the few minuets don't seem to hurt anything. But on the other hand, I have let mine idle for 2-3 hours. I personaly don't think it hurts anything, I may be wrong, but it just seems alot to do over nothing. Everywhere I go I see diesels sitting around idleing. On construction sites, truck stops, railroad yards, tow boats on the river, and back when I was in the army we had to keep the diesels running in the winter, or they wouldn't start till spring. It might be an issue, but I wont loose any sleep when I leave it running while I shop around.

 

[krabman]

Cost benifit testing we did in Ak across 236 engines showed brief warmups to produce the lowest overall operating costs over the life of an in-frame cycle. Take it for what its worth.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

y-not, it depends on how cold it is, and whether the engine is at operating temps to start with.



If it's very cold and you start it and let it idle for a long time, that is very very not good. There will not be complete combustion and deposits will stick to valve stems and cake up piston rings if too much idling occurs in these conditions. Remember diesel is oily, and it will gunk everything up if it doesn't burn completely (called wet-stacking as well).



If it's cold enough out, even a hot engine will cool down too much if let idle for long periods of time. I've heard a lot of stories of bent valves and pushrods on Cummins idled too much in the winter up north.



Vaughn

 

[ray1933]

Warm / Idle

Here are my thoughts for what they are worth.

When the Temp is the 30's I start her up and go slow for a couple miles with the OD turned off.



When the Temp is going to be in the 20 to 0 range I plug it in and set the timer for 2 hours before I plan to leave and have a warm heater in about two to three miles with the OD turned off.



Below 0 Temp I set the timer for 4 hours.



This has worked good on all three CTD we have owned, the 91. 95 and now the 03. When I know it will frost or snow I cover the windshield.



For all three rigs I have used a radiator cover with a 16 inch hole right in the center that slides down right in front on the radiator.

This is used only when the Temps are 0 or below.

 

[FPoitra]

So basically I am not hurting anything by letting it idle for 15 or 20 minutes in the morning, am I? IF I am, then how long should it be? Area mechanics always told me that seals are easily blown if an engine is not properly warmed-up when below zero. If you have never experienced -20 F, then you might not understand how any type of engine works when it is that cold. I just want what is best for my truck beings that I am a first time diesel owner. THanks everyone for their input.

 

[ray1933]

Warm up Time

FPorita



All my rigs have had a block heater which was used when the temps were below zero. I assume your 04 has no block heater. Can one be installed, if so i would sure have one put in considering where you live. but that is just my thoughts on this.



One other thing I did with the 91 and 95 is fix a tool to hold the pedal down so the idle was at 1100 RPM for a short warm up period.



Now on the 03 it speeds up to 1000 RPM if it idles to long and I assume the 04 does also.



I know my neighbor had one of the first 24 valve's and he would let it set at idle for 10 to 15 mins in the AM and he never had a problem. His job required him to drive daily to an inspection site

he is ( Elec Inspector) and the truck would set and idle for long as it took him to do the inspection.

He drove that rig for nearly 200K.



He has an 03 now and does the same thing but when it was cold he also plugged the block heater in on both rig's.