idle rpms

[FF1381]

i know during the cold weather i should let my truck idle for awhile to warm it up before driving...

One of my officers has a stroker with an automatic idle control that regulates his ilde at 1200 rpms because he said that it needs to idle higher to keep the injectors from clogging

also, how long do i need to let my truck idle after driving it to cool off, and is there a certain temp i need to do that at?

is there a recomended idle speed for dodge and is there an automatic idle control for them?

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2001 3/4 ton driftwood 24 valve HO 6 speed; straight piped
Jason

[This message has been edited by FF1381 (edited 12-22-2000). ]

 

[JyRO]

I'm no authority, but I'll give you my general beleifs.

1st, it figures a PSD owner would have to do something to keep that thing from self destructing! #ad
Hehehehe.

Idle after driving, to cool off - I think that it varies on the driving conditions. I personally don't sit there too long. But I don't usually make the engine work very hard. If I were pulling a heavy trailer down the interstate and pulled off at a rest area, I'd let it idle quite a while. I have to go slow down the road to my house, about 1/4 mile. I feel that gives it enough time to cool off, since I'm not pulling anything. Besides, I'm not going to pull it in the garage and let it stink up the garage. I like diesel smell, but in smaller quatities. But like I said, idle time depends on what your doing with your truck.

As far as the idle speed. I personally wouldn't mess with it. Cummins says, in the case where the engine is overheated, or overly warm, to stop and (while parked) hold the rpms to about 1,200 to increase the COOLING efficiency. I tried it one time after pulling a long steep hill, with the temperature farther up than normal. It worked extremely well. But under normal circumstances, I'd let it idle at normal idle rpm.

But there are also guys here on the TDR that have set-ups to where they can flip a switch before they turn the key off (I assume they turn the key off and remove it), and it will idle until a temperature sensor detects a low enough temperature, then the engine is shut off automatically. If that makes sense, how I explained it. That, I think, is a real good idea for those who are towing and don't want to just sit in the truck and wait, after they've towed and such.

Kinda long post here, but I hope its helpful. I'm sure others will add some good info.

- JyRO

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Y2K 2500 Cummins ETC/DEE, SLT+, 4X4, Quad, LB, Intense Blue Sport, 3. 54 LSD, rear aux. springs (camper special), sliding rear window, all options except cab clearance lights including agate leather, totally stock engine, silencer ring removed, "stealth," mod to run fogs with high beam. Since everybody else listed their toys, I will too.
1995 Kawasaki ZX6-R (For Sale)
1990 Toyota Celica
1983 Mazda RX-7 GSL (For sale)

 

[FF1381]

thanks JyRO,

that is kinda what i thought about the dodge, but i just wanted to make sure that someone else felt the same, i don't pull trailers or anything heavy with mine, the most work my truck has to do is long drives with no load so i guess i am alright... thanks for the info #ad


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2001 3/4 ton driftwood 24 valve HO 6 speed; straight piped
Jason

 

[B.G. Smith]

Don't let it sit and idle in cold weather, or for more than 10 minutes in any weather. The Cummins runs so cool that it quits burning all the fuel in the cyl. and starts to wash the oil off the pistons causing cyl. wear or cyl. wall scuffing. The engine will not "warm up" at normal idle speed, needs to be at or above 1200 rpm. As for turbo cool down, normal unloaded driving at slower than highway speeds requires short period of time, probably one minute. If you are towing and have the engine working like freeway speed or climbing a grade then it can take up to 5 minutes to cool down to safe level to prevent oil cokeing in the turbo bearings. When allowing the turbo to cool, if auto trans. it should be in neutral or park while idling, in neutral it also cools the trans fluid. This is why it is nice to have an exhaust gas temp. monitor. bg

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White 99 3500, QC, 3:55, auto. most options except leather, Line-X bed liner, fiberglass running boards Rancho 9000s, bug shield and window vents, black vented 5th wheel tailgate, 100 gal. aux. fuel tank.

 

[FF1381]

BG, so should i let it idle at 1200 for a minute or so before i drive it in this cold or just not worry about, i usually let it warm up for about 5 min, and usually leave it running when I run in some where for under 10 or 15 min... . should i stop that as well?

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2001 3/4 ton driftwood 24 valve HO 6 speed; straight piped
Jason

 

[Cooker]

There is sure many opinions on the topic of the idle time of the truck. Right or wrong here is mine, when it really cold, ie first thing in the morning, I let it idle a couple minutes at normal idle. Then I hop in the truck and rev it up to 1100 or so, pull the transmission into neutral to circulate the fluid in the transmission, and sit there for another couple of minutes finding the right radio station or puttin in a good CD.

As for idling the truck when warm, I don't think that it is good for the truck at a normal idle, but as for a high idle the jury is still out for me.

When it's cold and I'm not working the truck, I figure idling down my street or around the parking lot is enough to cool things down. I know for sure after I install my guages.

 

[B.G. Smith]

Good advice above. How long you "warm" it up depends on what kind of driving you do when you take off in the morning. If you immediately get on the freeway and hit 70 mph then you need to warm it up until the oil gets some heat or the oil pressure goes awfully high, if on the other hand you have to go several blocks with stop and go driving then you are just as well warming it up while driving. As for cooling the turbo after driving, you will be surprised how long it takes at times. Short periods of idling when warm I would not think are as apt to be a problem as cold idling but long periods of idling any time are discouraged.

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White 99 3500, QC, 3:55, auto. most options except leather, Line-X bed liner, fiberglass running boards Rancho 9000s, bug shield and window vents, black vented 5th wheel tailgate, 100 gal. aux. fuel tank.

 

[Bigsaint]

I idle mine up for about 10 mins. at 1200 rpms before I leave from work and can't plug in. I built a caveman tech. idle stick which works real well. After 10 mins. , I have heat and the truck comes right up to it's normal running temp. after several miles. I try to keep the rpm's at or below 2000 until I reach the 190 degree mark on the temp. gauge. Hope this helps.

Scott W.

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White 2001. 5 3500 ETH/DEE 4X4 Quad cab SLT,tow package and camper prep,Husky liners front and rear,DiPricol pyro and boost and engine oil temp. gauges,Mopar tonneau,Lund bug shield,PM tractor utility back up lights,Penda bed mat,Edge EZ box and blow by bottle is bye bye !!!
My Truck



[This message has been edited by Bigsaint (edited 12-23-2000). ]