17
Jul
Diesels dont produce a lot of heat at idle so they tend to run cold at idle. Is it bad to let a Duramax idle.
Idling for 30 minutes followed by just shutting it off IS bad.
Is it bad to idle a diesel. How bad is it to idle a diesel engine hours at a time. At a lownormal idle pretty bad especially with older mechanically controlled engines. At idle there is more fuel.
Can you idle a diesel engine. Youve likely heard that diesel engines are ok to idle indefinitely and that its even good for them. However modern diesels operate a little differently and much more efficiently.
It is true that diesel engines use barely any fuel while idling far less than a gasoline engine. Does idling hurt a diesel engine. When a diesel engine idles it does more damage to the engine than normal operation.
Operating a diesel engine at a low speed will cause two times the wear on the internal components compared to operating at normal load. This will raise maintenance costs and shorten engine life. Ultimately it is bad to let your diesel engine idle but perhaps not for the reasons youd think.
Idling Wastes Fuel One of the biggest misconceptions regarding diesel engines is that because they burn such little fuel compared to gasoline models its okay to let them idle. Idling a diesel for long periods of time can result in blowby idling results in lower cylinder pressures which allow combustion gasses and unburned fuel to get past the rings into the crankcase. As for the OPs question diesels really dont warm up well unless under load.
Idleling at normal idle speed 750 rpms for long periods is not considered a good idea because the cylinders dont get real hot and some up the fuel can coat the cylinders and and slip pass rings into oil otherwise called cylinder washdown. Excessive idling is bad for all diesels even big rigs. Unfortunately sometimes when it is very cold out the engine has to be left idling or it wont restart.
Idling basically doesnt keep combustion temps high enough for complete fuel burn and cylinder washing can take place along with fuel getting past the rings and into the crankcase oil. Idling is also bad for modern diesel-powered vehicles. On start-up dont idle for more than 30 seconds or 1 minute if its really cold.
Older diesels needed time to get the oil around the engine to reduce friction this is now done automatically and much more quickly your manufacturers handbook will provide further details. The issue with idling is soot. The engine gets slightly more fuel than necessary to idle and the unburned or not completely burned fuel is soot.
Think blowing snow or a cool acetylene flame before you open the oxygen side. Soot builds up on everything on the other side of the exhaust valve. You will notice a hiccup noise when the engine is idling.
To keep your diesel engine functioning optimally and lasting a long time perform the following checks to identify the cause of this problem. You can generally understand what is wrong with a diesel engine by the color of the smoke being emitted from the exhaust. Idling will increase maintenance cost and shorten the life of the engine.
Diesel engine idling does not waste much fuel. Fuel is one of the largest operating expenses in our industry. Idling adversely impacts us by increasing fuel and maintenance expenses.
You shouldnt have a problem letting it idle for 6hrs. It would be better if you have a High Idle switch though. I Idle my truck often no problems.
Diesels are made to run and stay running thats why we bought a Diesel. Is it bad to let a Duramax idle. It is true that diesel engines use barely any fuel while idling far less than a gasoline engine.
While it isnt particularly bad for it there just isnt much reason to do it. Most diesels start perfectly fine when cold warm up in a reasonable time and dont have gelling issues. Idling a heavy-duty truck consumes about 08 gallon of fuel per hour.
Even when diesel costs as little as 250 a gallon fuel for one 10-hour rest period will cost 20. Typically a long-haul truck idles about 1800 hours per year using about 1500 gallons of diesel. Do you let your diesel engine idle when you stop.
Why should you idle your diesel truck. To maintain top performance and prevent costly repairs to your diesel engine you should always let your truck idle for a few minutes after any. Modern diesel vehicles have better cooling systems than those of old and are designed to warm up the vehicle quickly.
Letting the vehicle start and idle for a minute or two will not hurt it and will only help but much more than that is really unnecessary in my opinion. Idling for hours here and there wont hurt a thing just make sure and work it from time to time. Its also a good idea to get a high idle module or a tune with controllable high idle like mr tuning.
Diesels dont produce a lot of heat at idle so they tend to run cold at idle. In any case letting your diesel idle for anything more than a short duration is a bad idea because while the engine will use little fuel what fuel it does burn will not combust completely because the operating temperature is too low. You can help the Adept Ape Channel for free.
Just click the Amazon Affiliate Link and any purchase helps. An occasional period of idling will not be detrimental if followed by a period of running at a good load for example starting the engine and letting it idle for a while to warm up before heading out. The frequent in and out of the harbour short hops are murder to the poor diesel.
Diesel engines must idle or they wont restart. Facts about idling Excessive idling wastes fuel and wastes money. Idling generates harmful emissions.
Idling creates unnecessary noise. Fuel contamination of lube oil is higher at idle. Idling reduces engine life.
Idling time of about 3-5 minutes is all that is required to properly cool an. Idling for a while shouldnt be a problem as long as afterwards you run it up to WOT a bit to clean it out excercise the VGT Vanes and burn off the gunk with some nice high EGTs. Idling for 30 minutes followed by just shutting it off IS bad.
In any case letting your diesel idle for anything more than a short duration is a bad idea because while the engine will use little fuel what fuel it does burn will not combust completely because the operating temperature is too low. Unlike gasoline engines diesels need to be under load to reach optimum operating temperatureif theyre.