Shutting the Cummins Engine Down

[WWalters]

Question for fellow TDR members who have 5 or 6 speed transmissions in their trucks. When you've parked and turn the ignition off, do you have the truck in gear with the parking brake engaged or do have it neutral, engage the parking brake and then put it in gear? At first, I would put the transmission in neutral, step on the parking brake; turn the key off and then put the transmission in first gear. I did this for a while but noticed the engine seemd to want to run after I turned the key off, plus the accessory drive belt squeeled. I decided this wasn't good, so I started setting the parking brake, put the transmission in gear, let out on the clutch and then turn the key off. The engine seemed to make less noise this way even though occasionally the belt would still squeel. Later when I got in the truck to start it, I would put one foot on the brake & one on the clutch, release the parking brake then start. Recently I changed my procedure and did not put one foot on the brake. I noticed that when I released the parking brake, the truck lurched forward even though I hadn't started it. It as though the compression of the engine had tried to move the truck forward when I had killed the engine previously. Since I had the parking brake set and the transmission in gear the truck held that position. I was wondering if other folks had noticed this. Thanks.

 

[Midnight]

WWalters

The truck lunging forward may be the rear brakes unwinding. Putting the emer. brakes on then letting out the clutch why shutting down may very well be wraping the rear brakes up slightly. When you get stopped with the trans in neutral and your foot still on the brake put the emerg on,then either shut the truck off and then put in gear,or put in gear and then shut down. But do not let the clutch out while emerg. are on thats just asking for trouble.

 

[Cobra]

WWalters



You didn't state how many miles were on your truck. As you can see in my signature I too have a 01. 5 with the 5 spd and 3. 54 gears. My truck only has 8,800 miles. I don't always use the exact same procedure but usually I do it this way.



After using the truck I leave it idle for about 2 min. During this time the truck is in neutral and the parking brake is on. After two min I shut the truck down by turning offf the key. The engine stops quite well albeit there is a shudder and usually a squeel from the belt. After that I place the transmission in 1st gear.



Starting, Shift to neutral turn on key when light goes out I start then release brake and go.



Hope this helps.

 

[Mschevey]

The belt squeek is from the fact that our engine stop so quick. The engine stops spinning faster than the fan. This is the squeek usually. As far as shutdoun procedure I don't like the sounds of preloading the drivetrain the way it sounds you do sometimes.



The engine should stop rather quickly when the key is truned off. (almost vilontly, shakes itself to a stop) If it tries to 'run on' then something is wrong with the fuel shutoff valve at the VP44.



My shutdown procedure:

1 Park

2 Shifter to neutal

3 emerg. brake on.

4 idle ~2-4 min.

5 turn key off

6 depress clutch and put in 1st. of Rev.

7let out clutch and leave truck.



Mike

 

[WWalters]

I appreciate the responses:



I have 3,700 miles on the truck. I had forgot to put in my post that I'm parking on a level surface at home and at work. I also let the turbo " cool " down anywhere from 1 to 4 minutes, depending on what type of driving I had been doing.



I am going to change my shut down procedure and just shut the engine off in neutral; engage the parking brake and then put the transmission in gear. I'm not going to worry about the Cummins shaking and other characteristics. Sometimes it just seemed the engine was idling too fast in neutral and that's why I used the clutch. I didn't think that I was letting it out enough to cause the truck to move, but apparently I was putting a load on the parking brake system and possibly other components. Thanks again.

 

[MCummings]

Here's how I usually do it when pulling into the driveway of my house.



I drive my truck soft for the last 1/4 mile to let my EGT's come down to ~400-350* then when I'm about 200' from my house doing about 20MPH I put the truck in neutral, let the clutch out, turn off the A/C and let the fan blow to "warm up" the evaporator (Keeps the A/C from smelling), I coast and idle all the way into the driveway, barely using the brakes,, letting the natural rolling resistance of my truck slow me down, when I'm in the driveway, I start putting my foot on the parking brake, and when I'm stopped, I push the parking brake to the floor, roll the windows up, turn off my parking/fog lights, turn the truck off, pull the keys out, hop out, lock the doors, and walk away from my truck with this big stupid grin...



MerrickNJr

 

[ftb87]

This is how I do it and it seems several other people do the same thing.



put truck in netural.

put on emergency brake.

let idle if necessary.

turn off.

depress clutch, put in 1st or reverse.



I understand if you shut off while in gear you could hurt your clutch.



Frank

 

[roadranger]

How about parking like my neighbor does it;



Pull into driveway.

Smash thru garage door hitting wife's car inside.

Stall the engine.

Knock gearshift into neutral while stumbling out of cab.

Truck rolls out of driveway T-boning car passing by on street.



It's 2 for one nite!

 

[BigMike]

I pull into my driveway, usually in second gear, and if my EGT is under 300, (Thank god for gauges) I just shut her down. Then I apply parking brake. I don't worry about neutral shut down. Never heard of it!!



For those of you without gauges, when I'm just driving around town, my EGT's hardly ever get above 300. Letting it idle for 1-4 minutes while you're "guessing" what your temps are is a waste of time ususally. Get some gauges. Takes all the guesswork out. You'd be amazed how fast they cool down!

 

[mike r]

WW quit guessing and put a pyro in it if you're towing. You'll have to put it in the manifold or downwind of your brake though. Then you'll be sure. Mine always squeaks but I have an auto and have to live with it but there was something about a replacement belt that helps this problem. Sorry I read your sig wrong and Cobra has the brake. Put the tap in the elbow wire up the pyro and your done. Cobra I think we're in the same neighborhood.