Extended Idling
 

I'm curious as to what some of the members here think about idling their gas engines for longer periods of time, say 45+ minutes.

I grew up with a dad who worked in various remote jobsites and noticed lots of people working out there let their trucks idle all the time. Gas or diesel, it didn't matter. Those guys pointed the grill of the truck toward whatever breeze there might have been and let the truck run to have some place to escape the south texas heat, to power something, light up an area for long periods of time, etc.

My brother-in-law commented on how I let my truck idle sometimes, and I got to thinking about this. I guess the tendency sort of carried on with me, eventhough I'm not in that kind of work. Never really thought about it.

Setting aside the price of gas (if that's even possible), what do ya think?

it will more than likely run hotter than it would driving but if your cooling system is ok it shouldn't over heat...

Heat and fouled plugs would be my concern. Plus, carbon builds up over time, so a nice top end seafoam bath would be in order once a year I would say (if you were to idle it all the time for long periods).

I've also wondered about this b/c when i deliver pizza's my truck gets some idle time and lots of shut off and start ups

^^^For you, delivering pizza, i would say, as long as you are in a safe neighborhood, leave it running...

I agree with just leave it running I would think that would be better for the truck. Constant on and off is hard on it I would think

yea it's pretty damn safe population of 15,000 and half million dollar homes every where good tips also... i have an idea what if i could make my keyless entry shut my truck off EG i get out of my truck someone goes to jack it i quick put the panic button and it shuts the engine off. how hard would that be to implement?

get a remote start and you can do it. other wise you would have to carry the remote in your pocket and have the aux hook up to your ignition wire to cut it.

well on of the port police brought his ranger in the other day its an 05 and his oil turned to sluge it had 2000 miles but they mainly just sit there and let it idle for 8 hours aday so i wouldnt think its a good idea even diesles shouldnt be left idleing for long periods of time back in the day they were made for that but now that they use low sulfur fuel its not good for them they burn up injectors all day i hate working on the 6.0/6.4 diesles

The low sulfur crap will burn out injectors regardless.


The work truck idles all shift, sometimes the aux duetz out back too. The mechanics are sneaking in trans fluid into the fuel to keep them alive. Granted they are running jet A and not designed for it. It might as well be low sulfur crap.



If your letting your truck idle for long periods you should move your engine maintenance schedule over to hours instead of miles. Otherwise your going to be neglecting your engine.

ive thought about that yesterday when i got my keys locked in my truck with it idleing.


it wasnt me it was a friend who did it.

only time i really let it idle that long is when i get to class early and i am studying in the truck... and its usually because its cold as hell or hot as hell... if its a nice day i'll shut it off...

I work on a lot of jobs that don't have power so i got an inverter mounted in the tool box. Occasionally it'll idle for 2 or 3 hours but i try not to let it go longer than i have too. I haven't had any ill effects because of this, yet.

It would certainly have me using a synthetic oil, and changing more often!

The Scheduled Maintenance Guide that comes in every Ford owner's manual packet gives shortened service intervals for vehicles that are used regularly in "Special Operating Conditions":

• Towing or carrying heavy loads
• Extensive idling and/or driving at low-speeds for long distances
• Driving in dusty conditions
• Off-road operation
• Use of E85 fuel 50% of the time or greater (flex fuel vehicles only)


SMG's, owner manuals and warranty booklets are all available online:
http://www.genuineservice.com/genuin...ault?page=Home