Extended Idling

[rickrat]

On the 6.9 engines, is it harmful for the engine to idle for extended periods? I have heard both, some say it doesn't hurt anything, others say the oil pressure is lower at idle and will damage the engine.

 

[tractorman86]

nope idle all you want the lower oil pressure is suficient for such little stress

 

[Pipeliner_86]

Let it idle.......they don't mind it at all.

 

[Optikalillushun]

i heard that low idle will hurt the engine, having it at a high idle (1,000 rpm) is much better.

 

[Agnem]

The main issue is what they refer to as Wet Stacking which happens with the combustion temps get real low and the fuel doesn't burn completely. I'm not sure how much of an issue this is in our IDI's, since the prechamber area is small and easily kept hot. I once locked myself out of my truck years ago when it was running, and it idled for 3 hours until the locksmith came. I did my head gaskets some time after that, and saw no evidence of any kind of problem. About the only thing I would strongly suggest is that you shorten your oil change interval if you do this often.

 

[82F100SWB]

If the temperatures are below freezing, I'd suggest rigging a manual switch for the high idle so engine temp is kept up, but, otherwise, extended idling is pretty much a non issue.

 

[sootman73]

i usually leave my truck idling when i go into a store such as walmart(well i guess not anymore ) or the auto parts store. i may spend an hour or so inside with my truck rattlin' outside. i have 208,000 miles on it and havent had to touch the engine yet. the only thing that has been done to it(before i had it) was the belt tensioner was replaced and the TPS. i changed glow plugs. i have almost all of the maintenance records from the previous owners.