Thread: A myth busted! For me anyway

Originally Posted by wovenrovings

The only reason they keep the engine running in super cold conditions is to keep everything warm. I was reading the other day about a unit they can install , some sort of heater and generator, that heats engine, cabin, load and provides power, and at the same time uses less fuel than idling the engine. Most european petrol cars will happily start in -20. Most diesels as well (as long as the fuel is not solidified).

These pre heaters are common in Europe and North Amercia, Kenlowe brand units are advertised in the UK LR mags.

Originally Posted by nzlandies

In our club it is fine-able offence to leave it rattling.

In my td5 handbook I am sure it says start up and drive away quietly. Do not leave to idle cold.

cheers

Really? Which club is that. I think it might be worth mentioning to a few around here.

About the TD5, yes you are right. It does.

Alan

I still have a Drivers Handbook from one of my Detroit Diesels.

Quote" Warming up the Engine."

Naturally aspirated versions:- After the engine starts, run it at 1000 rpm and check the oil pressure gauge to be sure the engine is getting lubrication.

Turbocharged versions:- After starting a turbocharged engine, run it at low idle for two minutes to permit lubrication to flow to the turbocharger. Then run it a 1000 rpm and check oil pressure.

If the engine is maintaining oil pressure and the other systems that should be functioning at this point show normal on the instrument panel, the engine is ready to move the vehicle. If possible, avoid going to full throttle until engine coolant temperature reaches 140 F.(60C). The engine will come up to normal operating temperature shortly after you start driving. Unquote

Quote "Avoiding unnecessary or prolonged idling"

Idling the engine for long periods wastes fuel and may adversely affect engine life. Deposits of unburned fuel can form on the cylinder walls resulting in accelerated wear. When you leave the cab or plan to park for m,ore than a few minutes, shut the engine off. If idling can not be avoided due to the type of operation and the engine is to idle for a prolonged period, try to maintain at least 1000 rpm.

The temptation to idle the engine is strongest in cold weather when cab heat is a factor. Actually an idling engine cools down faster than if it is shutdown. You may find the cab heater, which relies on hot engine water, blowing cool air sooner than you might expect when the engine is left idling. Unquote

Originally Posted by UncleHo

G'day Folks

That is interesting, but aren't Detroit Diesels 2 stroke?? the same as Cummins? if so they are a whole different kettle of fish to a 4 stroke diesel and particularly an older British /European Type that is why they fit Radiator Blinds, as the principal of a diesel is Compression Ignition, so the hotter the Block is, the better the ignition, or that was what I was taught, that was before the high speed 2 stroke diesels appeared on the market, the reason a diesel is left running during short stops, is that it is often more damaging to restart (oil drained back to sump) and more expensive, use of starter than to leave it running as diesel use is minimal.

cheers

Which Cummins engines are 2 strokes, have never seen one in a truck, I think you'll find that Cummins engines (Truck) are 4 stroke, Regards Frank.

Originally Posted by Plod

Diesel engines were designed to operate at peak efficiency running wide open.

My old man's mechanic always says drive a diesel like you hate it & it will run so much better.

Experiment= I borrowed the in laws Hilux. Father in law snails it everywhere & it ran like a pig when I got it. I ran it hard for 2 weeks (without flogging it) & the end result was a vehicle with better acceleration, better able to maintain highway speeds & used a little less fuel.

To the best of my knowledge cummins have never had a 2 stroke
truck engine.
A mate was running 3 trailer road train Sydney to Darwin and
cummins approived 1000 rpm idle with the a/c running.

My tdi 200 start back out of carport out the driveway &go
not over 2000 rpm till warm & very rearly over 2500.

Very interesting thread though.

Andrew

Originally Posted by twitchy

My old man's mechanic always says drive a diesel like you hate it & it will run so much better.

Experiment= I borrowed the in laws Hilux. Father in law snails it everywhere & it ran like a pig when I got it. I ran it hard for 2 weeks (without flogging it) & the end result was a vehicle with better acceleration, better able to maintain highway speeds & used a little less fuel.

It may be of course that you just cleaned some of the crap out of its systems

But, what about auto's that don't allow you to drive them like you hate them? I mean, I can see how that works when you have a manual but not so much with an auto unless you are breaking speeds limits everywhere and driving with a lead foot

Alan

next time its cold when you start you TD5 you should notice it idles faster when cold then slows down when it starts to warm up