High Idle or Normal Idle for long period?

[emperorjordan]

Just wondering, if I need to leave the truck running for a long time like an hour or so, is it "better" to leave it idling normally or flip my high idle (wired to the BCP, raises it to 1200rpm unloaded)?

I understood it was good for the EGR stuff to leave it high idle, but I have my EGR delete kit on the truck now. Does the high idle also prevent the turbo from getting clogged? I know people have said its bad to idle the 6.0 for long periods, but once in a while I need to and I am just wondering what the best practice is.

Thanks guys.

[hazard]

High idle gets my vote

[emperorjordan]

I kept reading and kind of answered my own question, but I will post incase somebody searches.

First off, fuel consumption seems to be around a gallon an hour at high idle, although highly debated. That does seem high, I know CAT motored Pete 379s I have driven use about half a gal an hour and my deuce uses about a 1/3 a gal an hour idling. The best thread on this subject: How much fuel do I use idling? - Ford Truck Enthusiasts Forums

Second it seems that in the Ford manual it states the following:

Page 14 of the 6.0L Diesel Manual:
The following cold weather idling guidelines must be followed:
• Avoid idling the engine for more than 10 minutes at a time.
• Use Motor Craft Cetane Index improvers of a non-alcohol based from a reputable manufacturer.
• Maintain the engine cooling system properly.
• Do not shut the engine down after an extensive idling period (10 minutes or more). Drive the vehicle for several miles with the engine at normal operating temperatures under a moderate load to burn off any accumulated carbon and varnish.
• Consider using an engine block heater.
• For extended idle times use an approved idle speed increase device.

That last line ^ pretty much says to use high idle and answers my question. I assume it is mainly for the EGR valve, but also for preventing wetstacking the turbo.

[cyclonestroker]

My biggest fear would be wetstacking and i think the high idle should help reduce if not eliminate it.

I'm going to do the high idle mod before next winter because im in and out of the truck a lot switching to skid loaders and wheel loaders to move snow and I don't like letting the truck get cold.

[bfrank81]

Out of curiosity I must ask. What situation calls for you to need to idle your truck for an hour?

[ianstew]

Thats what high idle is for.....if you are going to extend your idle times significantly, use high idle. But it's always better to shut her down if you can

[emperorjordan]

Originally Posted by bfrank81

Out of curiosity I must ask. What situation calls for you to need to idle your truck for an hour?

Recently? Taking a sleep break in the truck on a hot day during an extended haul or during a break from work.

Doing side of road repairs on big truck and needing additional lights for a couple hours and not having anything else to work with besides my headlights.

I do not idle it habitually, but there are situations like the above every once in a while where its the only option and cannot be avoided.