Longest idle time on van !?

[Spaceman Spiff]

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  . . .

There are a lot of expensive components that are wearing out without moving an inch when you idle: engine rings, bearings, pumps, transmission gears and bearings, higher temps reduce the life of the exhaust components, battery and alternator . . .   Just because the vehicle is not moving doesn't mean that lots of stuff is not wearing out.  Same goes for a diesel.

 -- Spiff

 

[ArtW]

no one else mentioned it so I will, Idling a gas engine for long periods is very hard on the valvetrain
Diesels are a bit better, due to reasons given, and you used to have to let them run unless you wanted to have to wait for them to warm up before driving, but that's no longer an issue I don't think

 

[Mobilesport]

There are a lot of expensive components that are wearing out without moving an inch when you idle: engine rings, bearings, pumps, transmission gears and bearings, higher temps reduce the life of the exhaust components, battery and alternator . . .   Just because the vehicle is not moving doesn't mean that lots of stuff is not wearing out.  Same goes for a diesel.

 -- Spiff

Good point about the heat build up while idling , I would think that vans are even more prone to heat buildup.

 

[wagoneer]

Just do not see a reason for long idle, the only concern I have is the starter working too much. But when warm it has no starter issue. Been driving so long the vehicle becomes my legs and I do listen to my legs.

 

[DannyB1954]

You might want to install an hour meter and change oil by the number of hours instead of miles.
I worked in commercial refrigeration for the transport industry. I installed a lot of APU's, (Auxiliary Power Units), on 18 wheelers.
They pay for themselves rather quickly with the fuel saved not idling the truck.

 

[MikeRuth]

Not going to say yay or nay either way, if you need to you need to.
But what I do say is POO on the laws. It's not the folks in a van, camper etc, that are a problem its the Emergency vehicles, those babies are idling away all the time across this country day in and out.