How Long Can The Engine Idle??
 

I installed a very high tech high idling device on my truck last night. It's VERY similar to this one:

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...gh%20Idler.JPG

It holds my engine right at 1200 RPM's. My question is...how long can the engine idle at 1200 RPM's before it starts doing some kind of damage??

Re:How Long Can The Engine Idle??
 

Hmmmm....30 minutes?? 1 hour?? 2 hours?? 3 hours?? Anyone??

Re:How Long Can The Engine Idle??
 

That looks similar to that piece of floor molding that worked so well in my truck last winter.

I've heard that 1200 rpm is sufficient to maintain heat in the engine to mitigate any wet-stacking issues etc. How long to idle at 1200rpm? Probably as long as you want, just as long as you don't drain the tank dry.

Re:How Long Can The Engine Idle??
 

Hoss, how about sending that question to Cummins? That would end any speculation and we would all have the answer right from the horses mouth.

Re:How Long Can The Engine Idle??
 

Good idea. I'll give that a shot and see what happens.

Re:How Long Can The Engine Idle??
 

Update....well, not really an update because I haven't heard back....but I just sent an e-mail to Cummins to see what they say about it. When/if I hear back from them I'll report back what they tell me. :)

Re:How Long Can The Engine Idle??
 

Here's something to read while you're waiting (see short term comment #4):

http://dodgeram.info/tsb/2000/cummins01-06-00.htm

Re:How Long Can The Engine Idle??
 

Good read....just a few comments:

I don't think arctic temperatures ever happen in Texas.

I find it interesting that they consider 6 hours to be extended idling. I was only talking about maybe 30 minutes or an hour at most Six hours!!! :o That's a LONG time to idle!!

Bottom line....that bit of info, while informative, doesn't really apply to me. :)

Re:How Long Can The Engine Idle??
 

Hey Hoss I have and 03' and I have let the Truck Idle for about 15 min. then I put somthing on the the gas pelal to bring up the RPM's to about 1600, after that I ran my Truck for about 1 1/2 hours to 2 hours then the normal low Idle for about 2 minuts, They are ment to run allday at a higher RPM'

Re:How Long Can The Engine Idle??
 

I have let mine idle (on a couple of occasions) for as much as 20 minutes at 800 RPM's. I know this isn't good for it though....hence the high idler. I just don't know if it's doing any damage to idle like that for extended periods of time.

I know they'll RUN at higher RPM's. It's the lower RPM's that I think are supposed to do the damage though. Plus...although I haven't experienced this...I would think it would be easy to overheat just sitting there idling for long amounts of time (no air movement).

Re:How Long Can The Engine Idle??
 

Hoss, they're not worried about overheating, they're concerned about "under heating" and sticking the valves.

Re:How Long Can The Engine Idle??
 

What temperature would be considered too cold?? Mine usually hangs around 200 degrees after it warms up.

Re:How Long Can The Engine Idle??
 

since you live in TX, it doesn't matter. ;D

Re:How Long Can The Engine Idle??
 

True.... :)

What I was really more concerned about what all of that "piston wash" stuff....where the fuel doesn't burn all the way and ends up down in the crank case. I thought THAT was the main reason they don't want you just sitting there at idle.

Re:How Long Can The Engine Idle??
 

[quote author=Hoss link=board=20;threadid=18143;start=0#msg169992 date=1060359488]
What I was really more concerned about what all of that "piston wash" stuff....where the fuel doesn't burn all the way and ends up down in the crank case. I thought THAT was the main reason they don't want you just sitting there at idle.[/quote]They call that wetstacking.