Idling my 2017

[Viper1]

I read in the manual about not letting the diesel idle for extended periods as it will cool down and not burn all if the fuel causing varnishing. When we travel we sometimes take or dogs and while they can stay warm in the winter in the truck the summer is my concern. I would like to leave the truck running with the A/C on but will it cool down enough in 85-90+ degrees to varnish the cylinders. There time without us with them would be extremely limited and hardly ever out of sight, usually while eating or in a store where we can see the truck at all times. I try to never be out of sight of my truck due to my carrying a gun with me and in the truck. Okay, retired cop, some habits I refuse to break

 

[Paul Markowski]

All I know is that I always see those big rigs idling for extended hours as they "sleep" in their cabs during a cold winter night....I cannot find true-blue info on what the real deal is on this topic....Like you, I am paranoid now when I idle my 2017 Ram 3500 truck or more than a couple minutes....hope others on this forum will bring light to this question.

 

[Busa Dave]

These HP common Rail, Urea spraying motors (not the motor literally lol) are not made to leave idling anymore. Just a fact you have to deal with. Things change because our favorite Uncle and the European Union has really focused on making oil burners clean machines.

In the early 80's-90's no worries about letting it idle for a hour or two to keep me cool in the summer . Still see oil field guys do it all the time on the ranch but they do not own their own trucks.

 

[Paul Markowski]

Good points.

 

[mwilson]

All I know is that I always see those big rigs idling for extended hours as they "sleep" in their cabs during a cold winter night....I cannot find true-blue info on what the real deal is on this topic....Like you, I am paranoid now when I idle my 2017 Ram 3500 truck or more than a couple minutes....hope others on this forum will bring light to this question.

You should be seeing less of the big rigs idling, it has become illegal in many states. Idling is just as bad if not worse for a 14 Liter Diesel as it is for a 6.7 Liter.

APU's are what you should hear running now. Usually a 2 cyl Diesel that keeps engine block warm and batteries charged in the winter. Sleeper heat provided by an Espar Diesel fired heater.
In summer the APU runs a refrigerant pump to keep the sleeper cool.

 

[mwilson]

There are also APU's that are battery powered but have a limited run time. Good if you are on a dedicated run....but bad if you are stuck in a Georgia Truck Stop for an entire weekend....that is where the Diesel APU's out perform the Battery Style...

https://youtu.be/6KrlIX7SX1E

 

[tractorhauler]

While the comments are partially correct, the real reason for not ideling is you don't get total combustion of the fuel. The unburned fuel goes into the oil pan diluting the oil and shortening the drain interval. The reason for APU's is, why would I have a 450 HP engine running to keep me cool or warm when I can do it with an 8 horse Kabota. To rebuild that pony under the hood is approx. $20,000.00. I can replace the APU for about $8,000.00
Also, it is not illegal to idle in most states. Only some cities. Ca being the biggist pain in the wallet. New York city is a problem also. However, if you have a pet in the truck, you can idle all day and all night long. Pet on board signs are $.69 cents.

 

[mwilson]

Maybe not out in God's Country but around here it is pretty much illegal....not trying to pick a fight but there are laws in place already that are being enforced...a lot will allow idling when outside temps are below a certain limit...

Massachusetts

https://www.mtholyoke.edu/sites/default/files/ehs/docs/massidlinglaw.pdf

Connecticut

http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2684&q=570934&deepNav_GID=1619

New Hampshire (which also mentions other Northeast States)

https://www.des.nh.gov/organization/commissioner/pip/factsheets/ard/documents/ard-46.pdf

New York

http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/8585.html

New Jersey (interesting to note that 2007 and newer (or having been retrofitted with a DPF) sleeper berth equipped tractors are exempt

http://www.nj.gov/dep/enforcement/aceacademy/Idling.pdf

This is just the few I found in a hurry,but it is pretty much has been an illegal practice right along which is now being enforced.

 

[lschultz]

If you have a auto just turn on cruse and set it and it idles up. They might have something in the program where it will only idle fast for a certain amount of time.

 

[Rebel Horseman]

My truck idles a lot but it also gets driven and used a lot. When I know I’m idling for more than about 5 minutes I use the high idle function. That prevents cylinder wash down as well as DPF temps up. Zero issues in 62k miles.


‘15 Ram 2500 CC/SWB 4x4 Tradesman 6.7/68RFE, 285/70r17 Firestone Destination MT2s, BD Throttle Sensitivity Booster, Stealth Module, Westin Max winch carrier and bull bar, Feniex Typhoon handheld, Federal Viper lighting.

 

[jgillott]

Maybe not out in God's Country but around here it is pretty much illegal....not trying to pick a fight but there are laws in place already that are being enforced...a lot will allow idling when outside temps are below a certain limit...

Massachusetts

https://www.mtholyoke.edu/sites/default/files/ehs/docs/massidlinglaw.pdf

Connecticut

http://www.ct.gov/deep/cwp/view.asp?a=2684&q=570934&deepNav_GID=1619

New Hampshire (which also mentions other Northeast States)

https://www.des.nh.gov/organization/commissioner/pip/factsheets/ard/documents/ard-46.pdf

New York

http://www.dec.ny.gov/chemical/8585.html

New Jersey (interesting to note that 2007 and newer (or having been retrofitted with a DPF) sleeper berth equipped tractors are exempt

http://www.nj.gov/dep/enforcement/aceacademy/Idling.pdf

This is just the few I found in a hurry,but it is pretty much has been an illegal practice right along which is now being enforced.

Add PA to the list. Law is applicable for all diesel powered vehicles over 10000# GVWR.

 

[LarryM]

The most important issue about running a diesel engine is that no/light loads will glaze the cylinder walls as the piston rings will just slip along the cylinder and gaze it such that the engine will start to burn oil and lose compression, which will promote loss of power, oil carryover into the exhaust, incomplete combustion and sludge build up. This is almost the same as riding the brakes where the lining is lightly pressed into the drum, glazing it and causing a loss of braking power. For a diesel that has glazed cylinders, the halfway fix was to use a deglazing hone to break the glaze and return the bite, this is short of a cylinder/piston kit overhaul. Still a job to do as the engine has to be disassembled to hone. Some of the old guys used to run the engine at a fast idle and slowly pour comet cleanser into the intake roughing up the cylinders. Those that were caught at it were sent packing on the spot. Navy boats and tugs had issues with light loading and glazing that caused stack fires and expensive overhauls. The engine companys, Fairbanks-Morse, GM, Cummins all recommended the tugs should nose into the pier and "push the pier", running the engine under load every 50 hours run time. Just this saved a bunch of money and grief. Anyway, my 4 cents.....

Larry

 

[6V92TA]

straight from the Cummins ISB owners manual, via Cummins Qickserve: QUOTECAUTION 

Do not operate the engine at low idle for long periods with engine coolant temperature below the minimum specification in Maintenance Specifications (Section V). This can result in the following:



•
Fuel dilution of the lubricating oil
•Carbon buildup in the cylinder
•Cylinder head valve sticking
•Reduced performance.


QUOTE



































































































































































































































































































that said , there is a fast idle feature available on the newer trucks that can be programmed at your Ram Truck dealership ( at least that's what it says in my OM) or you could always go the more old fashioned route and cut a stick to fit between your seat and accel pedal so it will fast idle.

 

[DonFitzwater]

High idle mine all the time. Never had an issue on any of my Cummins since 2010. I’ve owned 3 since then and they all perform flawlessly with regards to not making oil or giving exhaust component problems due to idling. Only problems I’ve had were due to actual factory engineered problems that were fixed with TSBs. If you actually live in cool climates, run the high idle and exhaust brake. If not, don’t worry about it.

 

[Bob4x4]

All I know is that I always see those big rigs idling for extended hours as they "sleep" in their cabs during a cold winter night....I cannot find true-blue info on what the real deal is on this topic....Like you, I am paranoid now when I idle my 2017 Ram 3500 truck or more than a couple minutes....hope others on this forum will bring light to this question.

There are laws now that prohibit extended idling unless the vehicle has a clean idle decal on it.This is only available as a factory option and can not be added later.
Beside washing down the cylinders during extended idling periods you are also adding soot to the dpf,there is an idle stategy on the Rams to minimize this.

 

[Busa Dave]

The most important issue about running a diesel engine is that no/light loads will glaze the cylinder walls as the piston rings will just slip along the cylinder and gaze it such that the engine will start to burn oil and lose compression, which will promote loss of power, oil carryover into the exhaust, incomplete combustion and sludge build up. This is almost the same as riding the brakes where the lining is lightly pressed into the drum, glazing it and causing a loss of braking power. For a diesel that has glazed cylinders, the halfway fix was to use a deglazing hone to break the glaze and return the bite, this is short of a cylinder/piston kit overhaul. Still a job to do as the engine has to be disassembled to hone. Some of the old guys used to run the engine at a fast idle and slowly pour comet cleanser into the intake roughing up the cylinders. Those that were caught at it were sent packing on the spot. Navy boats and tugs had issues with light loading and glazing that caused stack fires and expensive overhauls. The engine companys, Fairbanks-Morse, GM, Cummins all recommended the tugs should nose into the pier and "push the pier", running the engine under load every 50 hours run time. Just this saved a bunch of money and grief. Anyway, my 4 cents.....

Larry

Times change with new the technology in these motors. In some ways wish for the old 12 valve!!