Sully2
Cincinnati
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Joined: 01/20/2003
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Even an old dog can learn something.. We read all the time that extended periods of idleing is "bad"...etc..etc. And of course it certainly waste's fuel...without a doubt. So how "bad" is it really.
While watching a program about "Idle Air" it was determined by the maker of the product ( and if you know or research what Idle Air IS...you would learn or know that MORE wear would have benefited his results better) that 1 full hour of idleing at the higher idle speed caused the same amount of wear on a diesel engine as DRIVING 60 MILES on the highway!!!....
So is actual "wear" something we need to fear??
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John&Joey
Northern MN
(Baby it's cold outside)
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Joined: 05/20/2007
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Don't know for sure, but when we were in Florida last winter everyone made sure their rigs ran for at least 30 minutes once a month. Local logic was it kept things lubed. I followed local logic, no problems.
When we spent the winters in MN the rig would sit for up to six months in covered storage, no problems once it came out of storage.
I'm completely convinced that the best thing you can do for a MH is to use it as much and as often as possible. After that, it's all just a wash.
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runway18-2
missouri
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Joined: 12/03/2008
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Excessive idle is like letting the engine run all night to keep the heater on. Hrs. & hrs. of idle will dry the cyl. walls out as not enough oil will be sprayed into the upper cyl. Diesel fuel will not lub enough with out oil in the oil rings.
This was a problem trucking co.'s used to have with drivers sleeping in trucks. Even at that it mostly was a problem with worn out engines with low oil pres.
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wolfe10
Texas
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Actually, starting a cold diesel and letting it just idle (for "exercise") and then shutting it down is one of the worst things you can do to any diesel.
Moisture (water vapor) IS one of the byproducts of combustion. Unless the OIL (not just coolant) temperature gets up to operating temperature (which it WILL NOT at idle) you will not get rid of the moisture you produce.
If you start a diesel, RUN IT LONG ENOUGH TO GET THE OIL UP TO OPERATING TEMPERATURE OR LEAVE IT OFF.
Brett Wolfe
1993 Foretravel 36' U-240
Cat 3116, Allison 3060
Caterpillar RV Engine Owner's Club: www.catrvclub.org
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wandering1
Texas
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I think excessive idle is when the wannabe truck drivers leave their pickups and diesel vehicles running when they are filling up with fuel or stopping at a store to go inside to appear important. I really dont think anyone is going to wear out a diesel engine from excessive idle. It would help not to let the engine idle when it isnt necessary to cut down on fuel usage and polution.
HR
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fordsooperdooty
Orange Kounty Kalifornia
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Big over the road rigs no longer practice idling when parked for a number of reasons. All light duty diesel manufacturers now recommend no more than a 3 minute idle prior to parking, with a maximum of 5 minutes on large displacement diesels during hot weather or after an especially hard pull.
30 States have adapted a "diesel engine idle reduction standard" (also called "idle-free") from the Feds, and State and Federal grant money are available to fleets. Trucks in the USA use an average of 840 million gallons of diesel per year just idling! Most fleets have gone to 'auxiliary power units' (small diesel generators or electrical outlets next to the parked rigs) to power over the road trucks cab heat, engine heaters and air conditioning when parked.
Not Only does it save money on diesel, but prevents additional wear that occurs when a diesel idles for extended periods. A idling engine may experience a situation called "cylinder wash-down" where diesel will actually wash the lubrication off of the cylinders accelerating piston wear.
A Jayco is not just an RV, it's a way of life! 
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SRT
Head of the Lakes, MN
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There's nothing worse than trying to walk into a health care center when one or more "senior busses" are idling by the front door. My lungs really complain.
SRT
2000 32' HR Vacationer with Banks
1998 Subaru Outback Ltd. 5 spd
Brake Buddy & Blue Ox Aventa II tow bar
FMCA #266040 HRRVC #84109
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two-niner
las vegas, nv
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Joined: 01/02/2007
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If, as most of the posters imply (not OP) idleing is okay, why does my 400 ISL have a engine warning light for "low idle"
It came on once after first start to get the air back and raise jacks.
Then I read the manual. There it was: boiled down, don't do it.
Seems there were postings this year about warranty being denied for this excessive ldleing business. The engine's computer has memory and it's a tattle-tell.
Mine has the huge regenerator in the exhaust system.
I'm just saying.....
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dav5942
Stuart, FL
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Joined: 05/24/2004
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John&Joey wrote:Don't know for sure, but when we were in Florida last winter everyone made sure their rigs ran for at least 30 minutes once a month. Local logic was it kept things lubed. I followed local logic, no problems.
Wow, wonder where you stayed(we wouold have shut them down in a heartbeat)? We had a few Captains who ran their diesel boat engines once a week when not being used-they were the only ones who had continuous engine problems! Without aload not a good thin!
2007 Newmar 42' Mid Engine w/Fatboy,ATVs-in Garage,Rubicon w/4" lift,MotorMetal whls,MickeyT Baja tires-Cherokee w/4"lift in tow, Hog Valley FL(a diamond in the rough)
Alaska '09 Part2
Alaska Fishing Newmar Mid Engine '09 On the Road Again
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mscamping
any place, USA
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We don't do it, just run til the air is up and ease out, hook up and go.. I treat the tank when we fill about a half a mile from the park(winter in the South) and it sets til spring.. No problems yet..
Mike..
2003 Holiday Rambler Neptune 36 PBD 38' - ISB 300 Cummins w/Allison MH2000 5 speed
2009 HHR w/Blue Ox Aventa II & SMI Stay-n-Play Duo
FMCA - HRRVC - Chapters - 56,57,& 419 - Good Sam Life Member - Coach Net - 3/4 timers
Mike & Sharon
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