Idleing my Cummins Question

Paul Bunyan · 01-05-2008, 10:57 PM

I read some place that your not surpose to let your cummins idle for short periods of time and i was wondering why? At -20* the darn truck is mighty cold in the cab for driving down the road. Can someone clue me in on this. My high idle works etc. This is on an early 2004 5.9. I need to know so i can or cannot do warm ups.. Thank's!

__________________
Paul Bunyan
2004, 2500 Dodge Ram Quad Heavy Duty 4x4 Cummins
Banks Power Pack System with Power/PDA, etc.

thenigel911 · 01-05-2008, 11:02 PM

Well when cold starting I'd at least let her warm up for a good 5+ minutes. Its not good to just start up and instantly drive a cold motor on any rig.

__________________
94 Blue 2500 SLT, Standard cab, 4x4 AT, 4" turbo back straight pipe with 5" tip, silencer ring mia, starwheel cranked, fuel plate slid, aFe intake, glowshift trans temp-boost-egt guages, RS9000 RCX shocks,Toyo AT 315's.

PPDMostWanted · 01-05-2008, 11:15 PM

My cummins engine manual says to not idle for extended periods of time due to the diesel fuel entering the oil. It goes on to say that idleing for extended periods cools the engine walls and reduces the amout of fuel burned. This is on a 1990 manual.

__________________
Old enough to know better, Too young to resist. 1990 w250 CTD LE reg cab. Straight piped 3.5''. A-727 tranny. 249,000 miles. All STOCK! Gauges - EGT, Boost, Tranny, Tach, and Fuel Pressure. Soon to experiment with, Waste Vegetable Oil.

Dad · 01-06-2008, 05:23 AM

Here is some good Q+A on cold weather operation..

Cold Weather Diesel Operation

__________________
High Rider: 98.5 Ram 2500 4x4, 5 Spd, SB 13", A3000 turbo, DDP Stage 3 sticks, studded, 4" TB,, AEM Intake, Gauges, FASS95, S-Chips Tune
Low Rider: '06 Chevy 1/2 Ton, Victory Red, 2/4 Drop, roll pan, sport mirrors, rollin on 20's

WorkhorseDiesel · 01-06-2008, 11:39 AM

Rule of thumb is ten minutes max. If you're going to be out of the truck for more than 10 minutes, then it's a good idea to turn it off. If it's cold out and you have high idle enabled, then there's no problem with idling up and warming the engine. The only real problem with idling is when it's cold out and high idle IS NOT enabled. The engine cannot, at regular idle, create enough heat to warm itself if the outside temp is very low. On the newer 6.7L, idling is a big NO-NO. The DPF will not stand up to long periods of idling and will fill up pretty quick when doing so. Hope this helps.

__________________
2001.5 White 2500 Reg-cab • 4x4 • NV4500 • 4.10 • BHAF • WALBRO GSL392 • Edge Juice + Attitude • VALAIR HD OFE • Scangauge II • 315 Cooper S/T's • Optimas • custom black grille & blue graphics • ** Diesel Fuel Treatment is here **

bmac · 01-06-2008, 11:51 AM

You can idol, but plan on decreasing your oil change interval with the blowby getting into the oil. I for one have a 5 minute rule. Staying longer than 5? Shut her down.

__________________
FOR SALE! 99 3500 dually 4x4, Edge Level 5, DD 3 injectors, Full ATS Trans, PDR VP44, ATS Co-Pilot, FASS150, Custom TDR Cam, ATS 3-piece Header, Custom Down Pipe, Banks High Flow Intake, Propane, 4:10 Gearing, AmSoil front to back, 5-inch exhaust, Others!!!

WorkhorseDiesel · 01-06-2008, 12:11 PM

I agree with Bmac, I also follow the 5 minute rule on my rig. Cummins warns against idling for more than 10 mins but I cut that in half just to be safe.

__________________
2001.5 White 2500 Reg-cab • 4x4 • NV4500 • 4.10 • BHAF • WALBRO GSL392 • Edge Juice + Attitude • VALAIR HD OFE • Scangauge II • 315 Cooper S/T's • Optimas • custom black grille & blue graphics • ** Diesel Fuel Treatment is here **

Paul Bunyan · 01-18-2008, 10:30 AM

My question was answered and i thank each and everyone of you for your prompt action on the Ideling Question..
I have to admit the heater starts pumping warm air alot sooner than i ever expected it to being a Diesel. Well now to go down stairs and put in my new Fuel Presure Gauge.
Again Thank You All...
Paul Bunyan

__________________
Paul Bunyan
2004, 2500 Dodge Ram Quad Heavy Duty 4x4 Cummins
Banks Power Pack System with Power/PDA, etc.

kyle667 · 01-18-2008, 10:46 AM

I dont know what you all are talking about with this 5 minute thing - I idled my '02 for hours on end daily with no issues.

__________________
'05 3500 SRW 4x4 2" Hell Bent Steel Leveling kit w\ 35x12.50 BFG's

carlos02 · 01-18-2008, 11:41 AM

Up here in the frozen north country of BC it can get below -40 for days on end .Your lucky enough to even get your truck started after letting it sit for any length of time . Once it's running , you just don't shut it off unless you can plug in the block heater . If you keep it idled up to 1200rpm there's no problem .
My old 92 12v has over 680,000 mi on it and has been used and abused as a work truck towing 10-18k loads weekly for the last 16 years .

badram06 · 01-19-2008, 06:58 PM

now is this just a major problem in colder climates what about downt south where it stays warm pretty much all year

bmac · 01-28-2008, 09:20 PM

And you won't cause any immediate issues. It's a longevity thing. The blow by caused by running cold or at idol without proper combustion (boost) lets particles of raw fuel into your case. These particles are acidic and kill your case oil and if not changed more frequently, will shorten the lifespan of your Cummins.

You can idol all day, but don't stretch your AmSoil to the 25K limit.

__________________
FOR SALE! 99 3500 dually 4x4, Edge Level 5, DD 3 injectors, Full ATS Trans, PDR VP44, ATS Co-Pilot, FASS150, Custom TDR Cam, ATS 3-piece Header, Custom Down Pipe, Banks High Flow Intake, Propane, 4:10 Gearing, AmSoil front to back, 5-inch exhaust, Others!!!

01-05-2008, 10:57 PM	#1 (permalink)
Paul Bunyan Newbie Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Maine Posts: 11 Paul Bunyan's Truck Pics	Idleing my Cummins Question I read some place that your not surpose to let your cummins idle for short periods of time and i was wondering why? At -20* the darn truck is mighty cold in the cab for driving down the road. Can someone clue me in on this. My high idle works etc. This is on an early 2004 5.9. I need to know so i can or cannot do warm ups.. Thank's! __________________ Paul Bunyan 2004, 2500 Dodge Ram Quad Heavy Duty 4x4 Cummins Banks Power Pack System with Power/PDA, etc.

01-18-2008, 10:30 AM	#8 (permalink)
Paul Bunyan Newbie Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Maine Posts: 11 Paul Bunyan's Truck Pics	A Thank You to One and All. My question was answered and i thank each and everyone of you for your prompt action on the Ideling Question.. I have to admit the heater starts pumping warm air alot sooner than i ever expected it to being a Diesel. Well now to go down stairs and put in my new Fuel Presure Gauge. Again Thank You All... Paul Bunyan __________________ Paul Bunyan 2004, 2500 Dodge Ram Quad Heavy Duty 4x4 Cummins Banks Power Pack System with Power/PDA, etc.

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01-05-2008, 11:02 PM	#2 (permalink)
thenigel911 Cummins Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Maltby, WA Posts: 129 thenigel911's Truck Pics	Well when cold starting I'd at least let her warm up for a good 5+ minutes. Its not good to just start up and instantly drive a cold motor on any rig. __________________ 94 Blue 2500 SLT, Standard cab, 4x4 AT, 4" turbo back straight pipe with 5" tip, silencer ring mia, starwheel cranked, fuel plate slid, aFe intake, glowshift trans temp-boost-egt guages, RS9000 RCX shocks,Toyo AT 315's.

01-05-2008, 11:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
PPDMostWanted Cummins Nut Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Washington, Pullman Posts: 302 PPDMostWanted's Truck Pics	My cummins engine manual says to not idle for extended periods of time due to the diesel fuel entering the oil. It goes on to say that idleing for extended periods cools the engine walls and reduces the amout of fuel burned. This is on a 1990 manual. __________________ Old enough to know better, Too young to resist. 1990 w250 CTD LE reg cab. Straight piped 3.5''. A-727 tranny. 249,000 miles. All STOCK! Gauges - EGT, Boost, Tranny, Tach, and Fuel Pressure. Soon to experiment with, Waste Vegetable Oil.

01-06-2008, 05:23 AM	#4 (permalink)
Dad Administrator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 3,882 Dad's Truck Pics	Here is some good Q+A on cold weather operation.. Cold Weather Diesel Operation __________________ High Rider: 98.5 Ram 2500 4x4, 5 Spd, SB 13", A3000 turbo, DDP Stage 3 sticks, studded, 4" TB,, AEM Intake, Gauges, FASS95, S-Chips Tune Low Rider: '06 Chevy 1/2 Ton, Victory Red, 2/4 Drop, roll pan, sport mirrors, rollin on 20's

01-06-2008, 11:39 AM	#5 (permalink)
WorkhorseDiesel Tech Specialist Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Southwest, TX Posts: 768 WorkhorseDiesel's Truck Pics	Rule of thumb is ten minutes max. If you're going to be out of the truck for more than 10 minutes, then it's a good idea to turn it off. If it's cold out and you have high idle enabled, then there's no problem with idling up and warming the engine. The only real problem with idling is when it's cold out and high idle IS NOT enabled. The engine cannot, at regular idle, create enough heat to warm itself if the outside temp is very low. On the newer 6.7L, idling is a big NO-NO. The DPF will not stand up to long periods of idling and will fill up pretty quick when doing so. Hope this helps. __________________ 2001.5 White 2500 Reg-cab • 4x4 • NV4500 • 4.10 • BHAF • WALBRO GSL392 • Edge Juice + Attitude • VALAIR HD OFE • Scangauge II • 315 Cooper S/T's • Optimas • custom black grille & blue graphics • Diesel Fuel Treatment is here

01-06-2008, 11:51 AM	#6 (permalink)
bmac Cummins Enthusiast Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Chester County, PA Posts: 270 bmac's Truck Pics	You can idol, but plan on decreasing your oil change interval with the blowby getting into the oil. I for one have a 5 minute rule. Staying longer than 5? Shut her down. __________________ *FOR SALE!* 99 3500 dually 4x4, Edge Level 5, DD 3 injectors, Full ATS Trans, PDR VP44, ATS Co-Pilot, FASS150, Custom TDR Cam, ATS 3-piece Header, Custom Down Pipe, Banks High Flow Intake, Propane, 4:10 Gearing, AmSoil front to back, 5-inch exhaust, Others!!!

01-06-2008, 12:11 PM	#7 (permalink)
WorkhorseDiesel Tech Specialist Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Southwest, TX Posts: 768 WorkhorseDiesel's Truck Pics	I agree with Bmac, I also follow the 5 minute rule on my rig. Cummins warns against idling for more than 10 mins but I cut that in half just to be safe. __________________ 2001.5 White 2500 Reg-cab • 4x4 • NV4500 • 4.10 • BHAF • WALBRO GSL392 • Edge Juice + Attitude • VALAIR HD OFE • Scangauge II • 315 Cooper S/T's • Optimas • custom black grille & blue graphics • Diesel Fuel Treatment is here

01-18-2008, 10:46 AM	#9 (permalink)
kyle667 Cummins Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Orlando Florida Posts: 222 kyle667's Truck Pics	I dont know what you all are talking about with this 5 minute thing - I idled my '02 for hours on end daily with no issues. __________________ '05 3500 SRW 4x4 2" Hell Bent Steel Leveling kit w\ 35x12.50 BFG's

01-18-2008, 11:41 AM	#10 (permalink)
carlos02 Cummins Fan Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: British Columbia , Canada Posts: 84 carlos02's Truck Pics	Up here in the frozen north country of BC it can get below -40 for days on end .Your lucky enough to even get your truck started after letting it sit for any length of time . Once it's running , you just don't shut it off unless you can plug in the block heater . If you keep it idled up to 1200rpm there's no problem . My old 92 12v has over 680,000 mi on it and has been used and abused as a work truck towing 10-18k loads weekly for the last 16 years .

01-19-2008, 06:58 PM	#11 (permalink)
badram06 Cummins Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: tomball tx Posts: 104 badram06's Truck Pics	now is this just a major problem in colder climates what about downt south where it stays warm pretty much all year

01-28-2008, 09:20 PM	#12 (permalink)
bmac Cummins Enthusiast Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Chester County, PA Posts: 270 bmac's Truck Pics	And you won't cause any immediate issues. It's a longevity thing. The blow by caused by running cold or at idol without proper combustion (boost) lets particles of raw fuel into your case. These particles are acidic and kill your case oil and if not changed more frequently, will shorten the lifespan of your Cummins. You can idol all day, but don't stretch your AmSoil to the 25K limit. __________________ *FOR SALE!* 99 3500 dually 4x4, Edge Level 5, DD 3 injectors, Full ATS Trans, PDR VP44, ATS Co-Pilot, FASS150, Custom TDR Cam, ATS 3-piece Header, Custom Down Pipe, Banks High Flow Intake, Propane, 4:10 Gearing, AmSoil front to back, 5-inch exhaust, Others!!!