Need opinion on prolonged idle

[Motorhead]

A friend of mine is going to Oklahoma from California. He called me to ask my opinion about running his truck at about 900 to 1000 RPM,exaust brake engaged, front of radiator blocked, so he could sleep in his cab 4 to 5 hours with the heater on. He owns a '94 12V 5 Spd. I know that recommendations are againts prolonged idle because of running the combustion temps too cool #ad
in the cylinders but I was wondering with all of the above criteria if it would be ok. I told him I would post it and get back to him. Give me your opinion. #ad
Chris

[This message has been edited by Chris Reynolds (edited 01-07-2001). ]

 

[LSMITH]

I really don't know for sure. I would run 1400-1500 rpm if it was me. Seems like that would keep some heat in the engine to burn the fuel. It will be interesting to follow this one.

 

[Steve St.Laurent]

With the exhaust brake engaged he should be able to idle forever as long as his EGT's are above 300 degrees. Not sure what brake he has but with my BD it'll stay above 500-600 degrees with the brake engaged.



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-Steve St. Laurent - President of the Great Lakes TDR
'98 QC LB (CMNSPWR), 4x4, ISB, 5sp, 4. 10 LSD, TST Powermax, 275hp RV injectors, SW fuel pressure gauge, BD exhaust brake, Isspro turbo temp monitor, front Draw-Tite receiver, rear Draw-Tite class V receiver, BFG 285/75R16 AT KO's, (all the common stuff clipped)

 

[Randy]

I have the PacBrake on my truck. In the winter when I idle waiting for the wife to "run in" the store (sometimes 1 hr or more) I just put the PacBrake on and the EGT's stay at about 450 degrees, no matter what the temp is outside. As long as the combustion temps stay above 140 degrees you can idle it for as long as you want. Do not idle for long periods of time without a exhaust brake on because the fuel will not burn completly at below 140 degrees. Then unburned fuel will wash down the cylinder walls and cause poor lubrication which could cause scoring in the cylinders. The oil will also thin out.

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Randy Richmond, 98. 5 24 valve, 50,000 mi 2500, 5 speed, 4" exhaust, 4x4, 3. 54, LB, QC, Van Aaken CPC, Bosch 275 HP injectors, PacBrake, Walker flowthru muffler, Amsoil, running boards, Leer Shell, Metalic Red.

 

[Vaughn MacKenzie]

Keep an eye on engine coolant temps!!!
I have read of several instances in the past of guys overheating their engines by leaving the exhaust brake on for too long. It probably all depends on how cold it is outside though. I would at least unblock the radiator unless it is very cold out.

I removed my cooling fan a couple months ago. I left it idling about 20 minutes (with no exhaust brake) and came back to find my engine temp at 200F and EGT at 220F. Given enough time engine and EGT temps will equalize if the radiator is blocked.

Vaughn

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

My concern is that if he is asleep, and something starts to go wrong, it could cause damage before he wakes up to correct it. You want the combustion temp high enough, not too high, etc. I would prefer a hotel room or even a good sleeping bag to risking my Cummins. #ad

 

[Big-D]

When traveling if I plan to sleep for 5 hours I turn my truck off. Better to sleep under blankets than to run a cool engine or worse yet, an over heated one due to a blocked radiator. Tell your buddy to give the all night attendent at the "truck stop" a buck or two to plug his truck in if wants to keep the engine warm.

 

[PRout]

Too bad someone hasn't devised a digital temp sensor that is programmable to activate a relay when temp drops under 325 & open the relay at say 450 or whatever is good. . we could use that to activate the brake and . . whaaala!

Wish i knew where to get a thermostat of this type... It would be easy to do.

Then we could just add a main on off switch in line to deactivate it when driving for safety. Sounds dooooable.
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2k, 27k miles, QC, SB, 4x, 6sp, 3. 54, 285/75r16 bfg/at, stock air cleaner (reliable), silencer ring "in" (runs better), Sunnybrook 28' fiver, 16,780 lbs. 18. 5 mpg (unloaded), 12-14 mpg (loaded). VA, DD1's, PS Boost module & elbow... also, Nitrous Oxide piped direct into the block (stealth - to keep the warranty), twin turbos, 10 gallon per minute fuel pump, ECM right out of Don Garlit's Top Fueler (he gave it to me) (for letting him ride in my truck), Super Modified DD1 Injectors ("Hand Honed" with a 1/4" reamer & my 12v Makita). #ad
More BOMBING to come!!

[This message has been edited by Shortshift (edited 01-07-2001). ]

 

[illflem]

Seems to me it might be cheaper to use a portable generator to power an electric heater,it wouldn't take much to keep it toasty. No need to use six big cylinders to do the job that one little one will do.

 

[Ralph Edward]

Shortshift, what you want is called a temperature & process panel meter, several companies make them and it depends on what you want it to do as price. Most start at $300. 00.

 

[dresslered]

I'm still wondering how one sleeps with a Cummins hummin' anyway (not to mention the E-Brake engaged)?

 

[Briar Hopper]

Better to stay in a "no-tell motel" or a one hour HO-tel #ad
than risk the carbon monoxide, or damage to the truck. Don't see how ANYONE can sleep in a vehicle that has the engine running !

 

[Motorhead]

Thanks everyone, great answers! I will print up your opinions and take it to him. Chris

 

[Hot Shot]

With 96,000+ miles since March of last year, I can't tell you how many hours I have slept with seat back. Go to sleep. Wake up and drive.

 

[Cooker]

I find it hard to believe that if you up the idle a little bit you will do damage to the motor. I know this contrary to most, but it's only my opinion.

I do think that at normal idle, especially in colder weather, harm could be done to the engine.

As far as the exhaust brake is concerned, I agree that you cannot really set that too accurately to leave the vehicle run for hours and assume that it won't get too hot, or stay too cold.

My main concern with sleeping in a vehicle, as someone mentioned above, is the carbon monoxide poisoning.

 

[TowPro]

I think a Diesel produces 1/30th of the carbon monoxide that a car does, I don't think there is enough CO there to put hurt you. but my Dad's friend has stayed in truck stops in his RV, only to be awaken up by his carbon monoxide detector, caused by the people around him sleeping in there cars!

Originally posted by Briar Hopper:
Better to stay in a "no-tell motel" or a one hour HO-tel #ad
than risk the carbon monoxide, or damage to the truck. Don't see how ANYONE can sleep in a vehicle that has the engine running !

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• 98 ISB,QC,5spd,2wd,3:54lsd. Stock with BD brake and Gauges!
• 2000 Terry 305G 5th wheel

 

[Lurch]

Most of those rigs you see idling are company trucks. Drivers would rather be warm than worry about hurting the companys truck.

 

[illflem]

Saw a program on TV that showed how the truckers in South America do it. They have hooks under their trailers to attach a hammock. Of course their problem is heat not cold so they park their rigs next to the highway with the hammock on the highway side,the breeze from the passing cars keeps them cool.

 

[Bad Brad]

How come the big rig guys idle their rigs all night while they snooze away in the cab? Idling doesn't seem to bother them?

 

[quadzilla]

Big rigs often have a mechanical idle control that is adjustable inside the cab. They are also available for our rigs. I posted a question similar to this awhile back. Use the search function to find out. For those without exhaust brakes, idle control is an option. Personally, I have the cheaper version, a ruler cut off just a hair over 7" that fits between the go pedal and the bottom of the dash.

If you are worried about fumes, park into the wind and not down wind from others.

As far as the noise, the hum and the vibration have only helped me sleep. And I find that lying on my side with a pillow in the rear seat of the Quad Cab is much more comfortable than reclining the front seat. I tried both.