How long should you warm up your diesel engine? Why some say don't??

[@SSgt-]

I have an older 7.3 IDI F-350, it’s not a daily driver but I use the block heater to pre warm the engine when it’s cold outside.

[@bryce1916]

I have worked with diesels for 40 plus years, and I live in a climate where temperatures go down below -40. Not warming up your engine can lead to a very expensive repair bill. When an engine is cold you get piston slap and if you go ape on the throttle from start up I have seen rods leave the side of the engine block with a huge hole. Use common sense, give it at least 5 minutes or until you can see out your windshield on cold days, or more if freezing. Or don't and watch what happens eventually.

[@OquendoHector333]

I drive a commercial truck for a company, truck is a Freightliner I believe it was plug in on this one winter I believe it was around 2019, or 2020 and it was cold I started and I let it idle maybe 15 minutes and left to do a pickup and I wasn't 1 Mile in to my drive when suddenly all kind of light turn on and the warning to shut off was quick and when it shut off it had no power steering I had to use brutforce pull over to the shoulder and I knew it was because I didn't let it warm up really good. So I let it idle for another 10 minutes and went to do a pickup, and no problem. So, the lesson for me is to let it warm up 20-25 minutes depending on how cold it is in the Midwest. I am not an expert, but I did experience something I don't wish on anyone. Luckily, I worked out because I was surprised how hard it was to steering to save a spot. If the Shop and a Mechanic tell you to warm up, please do 🙏

[@G-George33]

This is the new topic on KZbin

[@WBOS72]

Use the high idle switch.

[@bluesky7437]

There’s a manufacturer warm up for each vehicle. Each manufacture has a start and stop recommendation. Refer to your owners manual. When I read my owners manual for my 6.7 powerstroke it changed my thoughts on how long I warm mine up. I used to let all my diesels warm up for 10 minutes or so. I know Ram 6.7 Cummins have a high idle that you can turn on by using cruise control while in park to warm it up. I wish ford diesels had the same feature that you can turn on manually.

[@aldonco]

If you are that concerned they sell a device to rev up the idle while letting it run so you don't get wet stacking.

[@InBloomLandscaping]

Depends on where you live.

[@JakeScott-ke3sh]

I have a 6.7, I let it warm up for awhile summer or winter, i hit a nasty pothole awhile back and all kinds of shit came off my truck

[@691plow]

Very nice setup, my issue not warming it up when below zero the def can freeze and staring up and getting right on to highway will throw a code for def we had this happen on our 23 duramax 3.0

[@DS-TRUCKS]

@@691plow I have not seen this happen with the Fords 🤔

[@kevinberta8741]

I think a lot has to do with how you are going to drive it once you start it. If you are immediately going to be driving hard, then let it warm up. If you are going to be slowly accelerating and doing 30-40 mph with no trailer, it probably isn't a big deal.

[@aldonco]

Most of us don't jump out of bed and start working. Warm it up till YOU are comfortable. Trucks can be fixed. No need to suffer in the cold.

[@DS-TRUCKS]

💯

[@geraldlake8978]

I'm at 385k on my lml. And I idle a few minutes. But I'm after treatment free so I don't have some of those issues.

[@johnneil6653]

Lack of heat at idle has little to do with low fuel consumption. It has everything to do with high flow rate of cold air though the motor vs a gas, which is throttled. The energy is getting lost out the tailpipe.

[@JustinKingOffroad]

Straight from the manual. When you start the engine in extremely cold temperatures -15°F (-26°C), we recommend that you allow the engine to idle for several minutes before you drive the vehicle. It also says when warmer, don't let it idle. So RTFM if you get my drift lolol!!

[@DS-TRUCKS]

Several minutes for negative 15. That's pretty damn cold...

[@JustinKingOffroad]

@DS-TRUCKS luckily I only see those temps a few times a year. My usual routine is give it about a minute or two when it's below freezing, and then ease my way out of the neighborhood. Until I see fluids above 100 go easy on the go pedal.

[@09roadraider40]

Yes you can only warm up your engine for 30 seconds to a minute and drive but if you want to let it idle for a long time that just means you need to change the oil much much sooner and more often

[@BeardedFordTech]

Literally says in the manual. 30 seconds to one min and proceed slowly. Not hop in and just drive

[@DS-TRUCKS]

@@BeardedFordTech I see. I just went and looked at daves video. He did say 10 to 15 seconds 😬

[@markreynolds872]

Do not ever! Start an drive! There’s a manufacturer warm up for all cars an trucks! Even if it’s turbo charged or naturally aspirated or super caharged. Engine temps need to get up to running temps before driving, videos showing freezing temperatures crank up an immediately drive are very wrong! Follow your manufacturer not some KZbin video!

[@markreynolds872]

Also if you’re vehicle is is good condition there’s no reason not to idle it especially on a cold start

[@JohnDiMartino]

But there is, excess idling is harmful on a cold engine. If it’s below freezing let it idle for a minute or so then ramp it up to 1000-1200 rpm for 3-5 minutes and go after that . All diesel engines should have the cruise control system work like a big truck, we set the cruise on all our class 8s for a a few minutes then drive off gently for the first 10 minutes.

[@davepritchard4101]

I'm wondering if anyone knows of a way to increase idle speed on the 6.7L. I recently watched a video where the author increases the stationary idle speed on a Cummins by using the cruse control features. (TrukStuff: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bXytqYCCf7V1hZosi=Pj2iXutZQRIQpO5z)

[@DS-TRUCKS]

@@davepritchard4101 yes. There is a way.

[@DS-TRUCKS]

@@davepritchard4101 kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKKlhaugh8mshMksi=QWDY1vAEwpAzK7Sb

[@markreynolds872]

Do not ever! Start an drive! There’s a manufacturer warm up for all cars an trucks! Even if it’s turbo charged or naturally aspirated or super caharged. Engine temps need to get up to running temps before driving, videos showing freezing temperatures crank up an immediately drive are very wrong! Follow your manufacturer not some KZbin video!

[@user-tb7rn1il3q]

You don’t need to go that far. Start the engine, put on seat belt, tune radio, put in Drive and go easy at first. On a rental start it and go straight to the floor.