Idle hours - what is counted in that?

[Newsa]

From Cummins a 3-5 minute idle is acceptable before a big load is applied, but anything more than 10 minutes is considered excessive and should be avoided at any engine/ambient temp. Wet stacking can occur at any temperature, and low idle on a cold motor can cause carbon buildup in the cylinder, valve sticking, and reduced performance. This is all from the Cummins Common Rail ISB owners manual.

Cummins uses 1000 rpms and 140°F coolant temps as minimums in the event that extended idle is needed.

Unless it's VERY cold I idle for 30 seconds or so and then drive very easy until things warm up. With my motors setup it's more cold blooded than it was stock and can often take 12 miles, or more, for the thermostat to open on a COLD day with a winter front, and idling would take way too long. I don't like using the exhaust brake on a cold motor either as I have noticed it has a direct correlation to the amount of soot in the oil.

When it's super cold I will allow it to idle at 1,000 for a little longer, but it has to be colder than 10° F.

So there is some acceptability for idling a cold motor, but not for a prolonged time.

I would rate this post as TRUE!

But I believe the incomplete combustion of fuel during the wet stacking can create gum on the rings to which the soot will stick.

Not only will valves stick, but the rings will get tugged (as the pistons move in the cylinders) on by what is building up in your cylinders. (Gum & Soot)

 

[zb39]

My current truck has idled all night on at least 1 occasion. I was in it and it was hot out. All night was midnight to 5.15 am.
No issues.

 

[AH64ID]

My current truck has idled all night on at least 1 occasion. I was in it and it was hot out. All night was midnight to 5.15 am.
No issues.

Issues wont present after one night. It's a long term and cumulative effect. Chances are nothing bad happened, but there is a reason Cummins has guidelines for extended idling.

 

[Newsa]

My current truck has idled all night on at least 1 occasion. I was in it and it was hot out. All night was midnight to 5.15 am.
No issues.

Sometimes there really isn't a way to avoid some idling. But when I do have to idle, I don't feel I am being responsible with how I treat my Cummins.

 

[Newsa]

I would pass on a pending sale if I saw this very thing.

Reason being: I see the PO never took the time to let the oil warm up enough to properly lube anything!!

My idle hours doesn't raise a red flag with the dealer, every time I take it in for recall or warranty fix, they tell the sales manager to call my cell about selling to them or trading.

 

[m35a2]

I don't see the word "idle" in what you post here. Maybe it is cut off?

I did not say not to warm up. I said idling is not the best way to "warm up". I will drive lightly to warm up in all weather. The title of this thread contains the word "idle".

In fact, I drive at 15-20 mph for the first mile to get out of my residential neighborhood.
(Third and 4th gear. ) This is my "warm up".
And I run my TSB in valet mode.

The article clearly says that unburned diesel can glaze the cylinders (walls) and create a coating that prevents rings from sealing when idling cold. I believe this is worse than any cold oil lube issues.

It's your truck, idle it all you want
But I believe low idle hours does not hurt the value or longevity of my truck. I plan on keeping the truck for 20 years. Not selling. And I'm using synthetic oil to insure I have no cold start lube issues.

I do appreciate your concern about my truck warm up procedure

From the article, first sentence below the chart shown in the pic.

"The warmer the ambient temperature, the lower the recommended warm up idling period."

 

[Newsa]

From the article, first sentence below the chart shown in the pic.

"The warmer the ambient temperature, the lower the recommended warm up idling period."

Yeah, I posted the article. Saw that. I was referring to the image posted. Not the article.

 

[m35a2]

Yeah, I posted the article. Saw that. I was referring to the image posted. Not the article.

Wasn't the image a picture of part of the article?

 

[gsbrockman]

Wasn't the image a picture of part of the article?

Do not confuse newsa further :-laf

 

[Newsa]

Issues wont present after one night. It's a long term and cumulative effect. Chances are nothing bad happened, but there is a reason Cummins has guidelines for extended idling.

Just wondering. If running in a highway quagmire that causes you to idle (hurricane evacuation rush hour) or run at 0-5 mph for 30-40 mins at a time.....

I realize there is a cumulative effect..... But if you run the engine at 1500-2000 RPM under load (not towing, but part of the way having head wind causing the turbo to spool some boost).... for 30+ hours, can that nullify a recent idling (stuck in traffic) idling effect?
This all happened within a 10 day period where some days (hurricane refuge days, the truck was not run at all).

Just curious about the cumulative effect and your opinion on if it can be reversed?

 

[Mikey-KE7LBB]

My idle hours doesn't raise a red flag with the dealer, every time I take it in for recall or warranty fix, they tell the sales manager to call my cell about selling to them or trading.

Sorry, but I cringe every time I see some douche stomping it to the floor when it's -30 outside and thinking it's fine to do so! This is the reason for my response to this post.

Everyone needs to take the local climate in to account when looking at idle hours.