Longest idle time on van !?

[Mjsanchez]

I have looked around and haven't seen anything posted about idling. What's the longest you have idled and how's the vehicle handling it. I idle a lot in my NV200 aprox 32hrs a week depending on what's going on more. Sometimes less

 

[wagoneer]

I never idle my motor. when 120 was being repaired I shut it off and waited for a 200 ft gap before closing it took 2 hours a few years back. Let them honk..

 

[Mjsanchez]

I never idle my motor. when 120 was being repaired I shut it off and waited for a 200 ft gap before closing it took 2 hours a few years back. Let them honk..

Understandable . Haha yes I run mine quiet a bit, due to my job it's either suffer in the heat or cold. Or turn y van on. If we aren't doing anything.

 

[Mobilesport]

U
Understandable . Haha yes I run mine quiet a bit, due to my job it's either suffer in the heat or cold. Or turn y van on. If we aren't doing anything.

I think your supposed to change your oil more frequently if you do a lot of idling

 

[Headache]

I try to idle the least as possible. When idling your motor isn't running optimally which promotes all sorts of crap to build up and aside from the obvious clogged injectors and other maintenance issues it reduces the usable life as well.

But if it comes down to almost freezing temps and heat so bad I can't think straight you're damn right I'm idling!

 

[highdesertranger]

I hope you are aware of the idle laws, https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/documents/CompilationofStateIdlingRegulations.pdf . my question is why are you idling so much? your MPG must suck. highdesertranger

 

[Mjsanchez]

I'm well aware of idle damage and maintenance. Oil changes frequently and fuel injector cleaners. And also the laws but this is also on a military installation on the job. As long as its on working hours I'm ok. And gaurentee I run idle in this humid heat !!! Been insane here in NC. Looking into a generator now. Far cheaper than idle. Run a small ac in summer and heater in winter. But as of now injectors or clean along with plugs and oil is good. Constantly checking them. But when I'm running field operations. Duty or so on and calls on my van. Yep she's a running. All the time. And actually still getting close to 30mpg highway. And keep my rpms at 1200. But idle in about half tank in 13 to 14 hours  :-/

 

[highdesertranger]

if you idle your van for a hour then drive for a hour your MPG will be cut in half. highdesertranger

 

[Mjsanchez]

if you idle your van for a hour then drive for a hour your MPG will be cut in half.  highdesertranger

Also depends on the load/rpm the vehicle is at but regardless still extra miles on my motor at minimal. But I haven't notice any big fluctuations in mpg yet

 

[Diesel4Life]

With regard to diesel engines idle time is really not a issue. Providing you have either a idle control unit of some sort or some other method to raise the standard idle to prevent wet stacking/coking issues. Even in a Gasoline engine I would encourage anyone to install a very simple and inexpensive "engine total hours meter" for reference; https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000AYJOI/ref=ask_ql_qh_dp_hza Most require 2 or 3 wire connections. a 12v ignition hot, ground, and some models a dash panel light on connection. That way you can monitor your run times and be far more aggressive on your p/m  oil change intervals etc.

The meter for your reference also comes in a round version as well. I have them installed in everything even small engines and they've saved me time and guess work over the years. I also completely agree with what the other gentlemen have already sited as reasons not to as well.

 

[Headache]

I also completely agree with what the other gentlemen have already sited as reasons not to as well.

Psst, some of us are ladies.  

Mj when it comes to humidity in hot weather all bets are off.  I'm idling.  I get sick in that kind of weather.

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

With the way my memory is working these days, I would roll over, start the engine, and 10 minutes later figure out that I forgot to change from 'air' to 'heat' and at 20º outside it's 0º inside 

-- Spiff

 

[highdesertranger]

I didn't word my post right. if you burn a gallon of gas idling and then burn a gallon driving your MPG will be cut in halve for that gallon of driving. there is no ifs, ands, or buts. doesn't matter on rpm, load, etc. highdesertranger

 

[Mobilesport]

I try to idle the least as possible.  When idling your motor isn't running optimally which promotes all sorts of crap to build up and aside from the obvious clogged injectors and other maintenance issues it reduces the usable life as well.

But if it comes down to almost freezing temps and heat so bad I can't think straight you're damn right I'm idling!

I don't see how idling would reduce the life of your engine as long as you changed your oil more frequently and kept the correct coolant mixture and levels  , if all you ever did was idle and never drive you could still just put Seafoam in it and clean out the carbon deposits. .

 

[SoulRaven]

Many places have laws against idling...

Regardless, have dedicated heating/cooling when you're up, and a 12v heated blanket or cooling sheet/blanket at night are much better solutions. Add good ventilation and parking in the shade when it's hot out, and it will save you money and keep you more comfortable.

In cold weather, my van takes long time to warm up before the heat will start working, and I don't even have factory A/C. I also worry about the possibility of Carbon Monoxide while running the van when it isn't moving. I figure, why gamble, if I can be comfortable without the risks....

 

[highdesertranger]

passenger vehicle engines are not design to be idled for long periods. it's not just the pre combustion crap that builds up it's also the post combustion crap. plus the sludge that builds up in your crankcase because of reduced oil flow. the problem of reduced coolant flow though the cooling system. the catalytic convertor might not get up to temp thereby shortening it's life or overheating because of the lack of airflow over it. in other words there are many problems caused by long idle times. if you just do it every once in a great while it's no biggie. but if you are constantly doing it problems will arise. highdesertranger

 

[BradKW]

Why does everyone say it's ok to idle diesels? I end up doing it some during construction because the truck often isn't in a drivable condition and I want to run the AC or give batteries a chance to charge, and I always wonder if it's "really" ok, or more "kinda ok", if you know what I mean...

 

[highdesertranger]

diesel handle idling a lot better then gas, diesels are low RPM high torque engines. idle is just below the power zone of a diesel. diesel are much more fuel efficient then gas motors especially while idling. all these contribute to the myth that idling is ok for a diesel, it is still not a good idea to just sit there idling. highdesertranger

 

[Mjsanchez]

With regard to diesel engines idle time is really not a issue. Providing you have either a idle control unit of some sort or some other method to raise the standard idle to prevent wet stacking/coking issues. Even in a Gasoline engine I would encourage anyone to install a very simple and inexpensive "engine total hours meter" for reference; https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000AYJOI/ref=ask_ql_qh_dp_hza Most require 2 or 3 wire connections. a 12v ignition hot, ground, and some models a dash panel light on connection. That way you can monitor your run times and be far more aggressive on your p/m  oil change intervals etc.

The meter for your reference also comes in a round version as well. I have them installed in everything even small engines and they've saved me time and guess work over the years. I also completely agree with what the other gentlemen have already sited as reasons not to as well.

Very good idea to. Miss my gmc had the engine hours and everything with it. But honestly had not looked into the engine hr gauge. That's a good call. Actually looking into them currently. Just ordered a generator to.

 

[Headache]

I don't see how idling would reduce the life of your engine as long as you changed your oil more frequently and kept the correct coolant mixture and levels  , if all you ever did was idle and never drive you could still just put Seafoam in it and clean out the carbon deposits. .

Seafoam can be a helpful product provided it is used properly and your car has no exhaust or manifold leaks.  Otherwise it can quickly cause a fire.

As far as reducing engine life you are wearing your engine parts and components while it is idling which means less miles/useful life on the engine for actual driving, which I assume is the main reason we own vehicles.  Your engine is wearing down as soon as you turn that key, wears more at idle because it's not running optimally and I have no clue where people get this flawed logic that it doesn't(or it's less) just because the wheels aren't turning, or they can prevent or reverse it by using additives and cleaners.  That's not even taking into consideration the additional pollution, wasting gas and additional maintenance.  Other than for occupational reasons this is a very expensive bad habit.

http://mechanics.stackexchange.com/questions/1772/is-idling-bad-for-your-engine
http://www.wesh.com/Sponsors/toyota-orlando/is-idling-bad-for-your-car/41326352
https://www.edf.org/climate/reports/idling
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idle_(engine)
http://www.thehcf.org/antiidlingprimer.html