IDEL how long

[CumminsE263]

Im new to CTD I heard that its bad to let these engines idle. I worry when I go in a store to get a cup of coffee for a few minutes. Is it better to shut it down and restart it when its somewhat cold or let it idle. How long can you let it idle and why is it bad. thanks Jeff 2007 5. 9 stock no muffler cummins power shift knob quadcab 6speed 9000 miles

 

[Flinty]

I don't leave mine idle more than five minutes, just enough to get the blood pumpin' and warm the oil up. Then I take it easy until the temp. comes off the peg. Prolonged idling encourages deposits to build up on the injectors.

 

[Skydiver]

I keep a wooden stick and set the idle @ 1100 rpm by placing the stick between the seat and the go pedal. Use the power seat adjustment switch to set the rpm's. For extra safety measure set the parking brake firmly.

 

[phloop]

I do not ever leave my rig running when I run into a store or any where else but my drive way.



One of these days you may walk out of the coffee shack to find your rig gone.



Or as I have wanted to do (but can't as I always find this option when I am working) just locking the doors of your rig with it running and you with no way to get back inside. And a nice note saying I did not want too see you loose your rig so I was kind enough to lock your doors for you. :-laf





Really,I don't think you will have a problem with letting it idle for 10/15 minutes. I have read that the worry comes from the really long idle times. But then if that is a worry, why do truckers allow their trucks too run 5/6+ hours as they sleep?

 

[BHolm]

Im new to CTD I heard that its bad to let these engines idle. I worry when I go in a store to get a cup of coffee for a few minutes. Is it better to shut it down and restart it when its somewhat cold or let it idle. How long can you let it idle and why is it bad. thanks Jeff 2007 5. 9 stock no muffler cummins power shift knob quadcab 6speed 9000 miles

First, it always uses less fuel to shut it off and restart it.



Extended idle on a diesel is bad because there is not heat being generated. Diesels run super lean, but still there is fuel being injected. Problem is, it isn't fully burning, which can be hard on the injectors, turbo, and can lead to fuel dilution of the oil if you really low idled a lot.



The answer is the high idle. On a six speed you have to jumper something to make it work but once you do that, and have the dealer enable the high idle function with the DRB, you can set the idle at 1100-1500 rpm. That will gernerate heat and burn the fuel, and long idle will not be such an issue. Long haul trucks run high idle, that is how they get away with it. Fact is though, trucks idling overnight is becoming a thing of the past. More and more have seperate generators to heat and power sitting rigs. More and more truck stops are putting limitations on idle time too.



Is what you are doing REALLY going to hurt the engine? Probably not, probably not ever. High idle, or shutting it off are the better options though.

 

[JCasper]

I leave mine running every morning when I run in for coffee. I carry two keys and lock the doors.



Now I also have an oil analysis that shows high Iron and Soot right now, but I believe that is caused by my short commute and the Smarty.



I am going to add the high idle jumper in the next week or two. It's sitting in the garage, just waiting to be put on.

 

[TBartlett1]

Too idle or not?? In the winter months I use 5w40 Rotella T and also plug it in with a timer that comes on up to 3 hrs before I need to start. Prior to shutting the truck down I put the heater controls on defrost and hot this allows warmed coolant to slowly circulate through the heater (at least on mine it does)

When I get up I quickly get dressed go out start the engine let it idle for several seconds after oil pressure builds, I then us my hand throttle (1990's with manual transmission came standard with this) and raise rpm to 12~1300 rpm, guessing. And turn the heater on high, the air feels slightly warm. I then finish my business 15~20 minutes then go. Truck is warm and windows defrosted.

I have never had fuel dilution or other issues doing this.

Idling a diesel 20 ~ 30 minutes won't hurt it if combustion temps are kept up. Cummins uses the term high idle when denoting the maximum no load engine speed. Idle could be 1800 rpm!

I've been to Alaska supporting development testing of the US Armies Bradley Fighting Vehicle in the 80'S and the VTA 903 Cummins would fail due to valves sticking in the valve guides if left to idle at minimum speed of 800 rpm at -40 degrees.

Diesels do not generate much heat at idle, unlike gasoline engines which can over-heat in summer traffic idling.

Testing concluded that (I do not recall the specific speed) if the engine idle was high enough to maintain coolant temp this was not an issue. Another point to consider is that vehicles in extreme cold weather are never shut off, but then they have no choice (ice road truckers).

I'm not implying that idling for hours will have no ill effects, but you can eliminate or at least minimize the adverse effects by using common sense.

I must admit that there are many differences between my 1990 and newer high HP diesels. The old iron seemed much more tolerant of abuse, neglect and operating conditions.

Fuel filtration tolerances have changed over the years, newer diesel fuel systems are manufactured to require fuel filtered to a few microns.

In 1990 the CTD required a 10 micron fuel filter (VE)

In 1994 the rating was 15 microns (P-pump)

In 2001 Duramax required a 2 micron filter.



As systems become more and more advanced they also become more problematic.

DPF's and CAT's require heat to operate properly which is not available at low speeds and loads.

My friends 7. 3 PS will idle up in cold weather to maintain coolant temp and I'm sure if the newer Cummins do the same.

As far as leaving the truck running while you quickly run in the store here are a few thoughts, keep a spare key on you so you can lock it, also it mite be a good idea to hide a key somewhere just in case.

Remote starters have a feature that allows you to remove the key leaving the engine running and doors locked while you step away. If someone manages to enter the vehicle it will shut down as soon as the brake is touched. You can also program the system to shut-down after a pre-determined time to properly cool the engine, say after five minutes which is required after a hard run.

My 1999 is currently off the road for the winter because it does not like the cold weather with the huge pump, injectors and torque converter. It's coming apart this winter to resolve some issues and civilize it a bit.



Sorry this is long but I rarely have a simple one line answer. My son recently said I ramble!

Ohhh well hope this helps.



Tim