How much fuel is used???

[white07]

Does anyone know how much fuel is used to crank our trucks? If I had to guess I would say its a good bit.
The reason i ask is bc I've heard that its often better to let your truck stay running when you go to the grocery or walmart rather than turn it off bc it will use less fuel.
Also, this weekend i was talking to a buddy who leaves his truck run no matter how long hes away from it...at a 2-2.5 hr movie he lets it run...walks into cabelas knowing he'll be there for an hr or 2 he lets it run...but he doesn't leave it run bc he thinks it'll use less fuel, he leaves it run bc he says its good for the truck...any truth to that? any truth to either of these "theories"?

[Speedyboy487]

I know my dad used to let his pete run all night but that was because it was about 0 degrees with a -15 wind chill

[2005F250]

Besides keeping the block from "freezing" in cold temps guys will let the truck idle so the oil cools down to a safe temp before turning the engine off. If the oil is hot and engine off it can warp the turbo. If I'm towing I'll let it idle 15 min. before turning it off. If I'm empty I just take the last 2 miles to my house easy and turn it off as soon as I put it in Park (P).

[SuperCrutyPS]

Some of the long idle stuff got started a while ago. With our modern engines, some of things that were beneficial then are not as necessary now.

I watch my guages and shut off when the temp drops to 300*. I do that whether I am driving empty or towing my 5th Wheel.

[01powersmoker]

ive read not to idle too long in our psd's. i guess they tend to wet stack.

[00strker]

i like to get below 250 egt that is

[d7rxr]

I've noticed that the last 2 diesels I've owned will not stay at the same rpms very long, they rev up for a bit then idle back down for a bit then back up again, over and over.
If I was going to let it idle, I would high idle it. Just for oil pressure.

[horsehauler]

I know this doesn't answer the original question and I don't know how true this is but, I had a tech tell me that the F350's and up you could let idle all night long and it wouldn't hurt them. but you should never do it with a F250 unless you have installed a high idle mod. i don't know if idleing at the low rpm will cause to much moisture inn the motor or what? like i said i don't know how true that is....

[bigcountrysg]

Ok with big rigs and trains yes idle is better. But with the engines we have it really is not beneficial and it is wasteful of fuel.

For one thing the tech that said it is ok to let a F350 idle and not an F250 must not be a diesel tech. Because the 7.3L in the F350 is the same as the F250 as long as they are the same year truck.

Now with the 6.0L I would be concerned with carbon build up in the egr. Causing the egr to clog and fail. Which then interfers with the running of the engine. Which then you either have to clean the egr yourself or take it in to get cleaned.

Now in the winter I will let my truck idle when filling it up, and if it is a quick stop like running into the local party store. But to let it idle for 2 hours while walking around a store. That is just crazy.

Wet stacking I don't think our trucks have that problem as much as the big rigs do. But it is possible.

[SCUFFY828]

Originally Posted by SuperCrutyPS

Some of the long idle stuff got started a while ago.

exactly , thats more big rig stuff

Originally Posted by horsehauler

I know this doesn't answer the original question and I don't know how true this is but, I had a tech tell me that the F350's and up you could let idle all night long and it wouldn't hurt them. but you should never do it with a F250 unless you have installed a high idle mod. i don't know if idleing at the low rpm will cause to much moisture inn the motor or what? like i said i don't know how true that is....

this tech you talked to is a moron

Originally Posted by bigcountrysg

Ok with big rigs and trains yes idle is better. But with the engines we have it really is not beneficial and it is wasteful of fuel.

For one thing the tech that said it is ok to let a F350 idle and not an F250 must not be a diesel tech. Because the 7.3L in the F350 is the same as the F250 as long as they are the same year truck.

Now with the 6.0L I would be concerned with carbon build up in the egr. Causing the egr to clog and fail. Which then interfers with the running of the engine. Which then you either have to clean the egr yourself or take it in to get cleaned.

Now in the winter I will let my truck idle when filling it up, and if it is a quick stop like running into the local party store. But to let it idle for 2 hours while walking around a store. That is just crazy.

Wet stacking I don't think our trucks have that problem as much as the big rigs do. But it is possible.

well said scott