Thought I'd start a new thread on this one.

http://list.priceweber.com/cummins/summer.html

According to Cummins Diesel News a cool down is only recommended after heavy towing. This is contrary to the owners manual. Dieselminded pointed out to me that the owners manual is from Dodge, and the cool down recommendation is from Cummins.

What opinions do you have?

Alan

 

Good link to keep around, I booked it.

Thanks.

DT.

 

I'll still wait for 300* pre-turbo before shutdown.

Cummins also doesn't recommend fuel additives.

We do treat these rugged trucks like they're made of fine china sometimes, don't we...........

Ed

 

For what I have in it, I'll cool her down.

HMM, I did see a Cool-Down timer in the DTR Store

Might just pick one up!

Chris

 

Thanks for the thanks dieselnewbie. Actually, Dieselminded was the one that posted the link and deserves the credit.

Alan

 

They talk about cooling down after towing a heavy load. Well, what IS a heavy load? Heavy by Dodge standards is 13,000 lbs. Heavy by DTR standards is 20,000 lbs.

They only say "heavy load" because they know Dodge doesn't install exhaust gas temp gauges in their trucks and the "average, uninformed driver" wouldn't know what the heck that gauge is for anyway, let alone how to use it.

 

Her's a hint. If when you shut it off, you hear a "whistling" sound seeming to come from the exhaust...... You just shut down too soon.

 

I shut mine down while at idle with the turbo inlet hose off once.
I timed it, it took 20 seconds for the turbo blades to stop spinning.
Something to think about.........

 

Thanks everyone for you input. Here is an email I just recieved from Cummins regarding the subject.

Summary: 04 Dodge cool down

Solution:
Thanks for your Email message.

Diesel engines operate about the same as gasoline engines under normal highway driving conditions, with no load on the vehicle or not towing a heavy trailer. With no load on the vehicle, not enough heat is generated to require a cool-down period, unless maybe operating in mountain or steep highway or off-road conditions, then a 1 or 2 minute cool-down period would be recommended.

However, when a diesel is worked very hard, there is an excess amount of heat generated by the engine and turbocharger, which must be dissipated through the cooling system or out the exhaust, prior to shutdown. For the idling period, we have advised others that normal highway driving with no load on the truck or driving in town, DOES NOT CREATE ENOUGH HEAT TO REQUIRE MORE THAN A MINUTE OR TWO OF IDLE TIME, IF ANY.

(CAPS ADDED BY ME)

Now if the vehicle is loaded or pulling a heavy trailer or driving up a mountain, then suddenly pulled off the road and immediately shut the engine off, all that heat in the engine and turbocharger could cause damage to the turbocharger and possibly other components in the engine. In this case, the engine should idle for 3 to 5 minutes, so all that heat can be expelled out the exhaust and through the cooling system, prior to shutdown.

The 3 to 5 minutes cool-down is recommended after max power and load operation. While pulling off the interstate and driving through a parking lot, the cool down period (3 to 5 minutes) may be just getting parked and the engine can safely be shutdown with no further cool down period.

Failure to allow proper cool-down immediately after working the engine hard under load is necessary to avoid turbocharger bearing or other engine component damage.

We thank you for your interest in Cummins products. Please let us know if you need assistance in locating the nearest Cummins-authorized Dealer or Distributor Service Provider. For assistance in locating a Service Provider, feel free to use Cummins North America

 

So I can shut it down immediately (no cool down,,,,, zip,,,,nadda,,,,,,zilch),,,,,,, if I'm only in stop and go traffic,,,,,,,, on every other alternating monday,,,,,,,,,,,, in the months that start with the letter "J",,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, when the moon is in the seventh house,,,,,,,, after a solar eclipse,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Right?

I think I'm with Shovelhead on this one,,,,,,,,,,,, I'll either wait till the pyro drops to 300* or I'll push the button on the "Turbo-Cool-Down-Timer" that I have installed!

 

I pull into my driveway, after driving about 2 miles on 40mph streets and 5 blocks at 25mph,
and my pyro is right around 600 pre turbo.
Yes, it takes a minute or two to idle down to 300 degrees.

Just enough time to put up the sunshade to keep out the morning rays and gather my stuff before exiting.


phox

 

Thanks for the props murray
I dont hardly ever tow anything so I just turn it off @ drive thru and when Im trying to talk to somebody
I like the noise it makes....... the turbo sounds like you just shut down a fighter jet and the stack just groans for like 30 sec.
And the best part when there a ricer behind me at mcdonalds with his windows down ...when I start up the smoke fills his cab

 

I watch the pyro on the X-Monitor, mine is pre-turbo an it cools down pretty fast (no load) I would say 20 to 30 seconds it's at 300*F. If it sets a minute or so it's down to around 240*F or 250*F.

 

Being a manual, I cheat. I live about a block off of a main road. If I make the like, I loose no speed in the turn off and will go about 5-10 over posted speed. Then when I get about 900ft from the house, downshift to the driveway..goes from 600 to 250 quick.. IF I don't make the light, I just ease down the block keeping it 300-400 I always wait till 350 and lower to shut down.

Just got an alarm system that has a remote start/shutdown..will review it after I get it in..not much more than just a shutdown timmer..

 

They never mention anything about trucks that are fueled over stock. That would be the deciding factor for me. I tow heavy & shut down at 300*. When not towing I still wait until 300* all though it cools down quicker since I got rid if that little hy35