Leave the Diesel running or shut it down??

[georgetown350]

not really if your going to make a 100 loops around the cg at an idle, maybe. but try pulling out onto a street, say a 35-45 speed limit, you still at light throttle? hardly, engine runs up to around 1600 before shifting then down to around 900-1000. mine will idle till gauge starts to move.
everyone gets to operate theirs how they like, and pay for their own repairs.

Like I said previously, I idle 3 or 4 minutes to let the alternator settle down and raise the jacks, then I baby the gas pedal while leaving the campground and yes I continue at light throttle out on the street until I hit the freeway. In my opinion this is best for the engine. If you idle for 20 minutes then do some 30 mile an hour driving, some more idling etc, you will have a regeneration problem in no time not to mention the other negatives of excessive idling. But as you and I both say, its personal preference. Happy motoring, or in your case idling

[laj]

sorry, no regen problem. don't and wouldnt have that garbage on mine!
but yes, happy traveling

[flaggship1]

Wow. Being fairly new to DP ownership I am following with much interest. I certainly want to take proper care and be a good neighbor as well. Seems like these big boys need to be treated like they were Italian made, sitting 4 inches above the ground and in something that only comes in Red, White, Black and maybe Yellow.
Back to my popcorn.

[Cat320]

I start it, and by the time I've got the slides in, jacks up, pulled forward and the car hooked up, that's plenty of time to be warm enough.

[RustyJC]

Originally Posted by flaggship1

Wow. Being fairly new to DP ownership I am following with much interest. I certainly want to take proper care and be a good neighbor as well. Seems like these big boys need to be treated like they were Italian made, sitting 4 inches above the ground and in something that only comes in Red, White, Black and maybe Yellow.
Back to my popcorn.

Diesels are, in many ways, diametrically opposed to gasoline engines. In general, diesels are happiest when having the snot worked out of them - for the Dodge Ram pickups, Cummins used to recommend breaking in the engines by hooking a trailer to them and working them on the road. In many ways, they're less happy not loaded than loaded, especially the newer diesels with the exhaust plumbing for emissions control. It's getting them from the dead cold state to the hard working state that's the subject of this conversation.

Rusty

[Zoafan]

Originally Posted by Cat320

I start it, and by the time I've got the slides in, jacks up, pulled forward and the car hooked up, that's plenty of time to be warm enough.

Exactly. Apparently some think this should be done outside the campground

[Sprdtyf350]

I haven't seen anyone mention wet stacking. I don't know if it is an issue with the diesels in motorhomes but I have always started my truck, wait for oil pressure, and then go. Drive real easy until the temp guage moves and then have at it. If it sits when idleing cold the computer raises the idle. If pulling hard up a grade I give it a few minutes for the turbo to cool.

[stik]

I just read through this entire thread and can't remember anyone (or very few, anyway) quoting the engine manufacturers manual, hmmm, go figure

'course now some will come up with "the manufacturer writes the manuals with selling new ones in mind" or "I don't care what the design engineers say, I know more about diesels than they do"

[flaggship1]

Thanks Rusty I had no idea what the subject was.

[RustyJC]

Originally Posted by stik

I just read through this entire thread and can't remember anyone (or very few, anyway) quoting the engine manufacturers manual, hmmm, go figure

OK, to back up my statement regarding break-in in post #61, I submit the following from the operator's manual:

Because of the construction of the Cummins turbocharged diesel engine, engine run-in is enhanced by loaded operating conditions which allow the engine parts to achieve final finish and fit during the first 6,000 miles (10 000 km).

Rusty

[RustyJC]

Originally Posted by flaggship1

Thanks Rusty I had no idea what the subject was.

Glad to be of service....

Rusty

[Muddypaws]

We pulled into a new location yesterday and were given the most uneven and off level site I've ever attempted to get into. I used every block I have and was still way off. Did I mention that the ground was soft too? After 20 minutes of trying to get the rig level I asked for and received a different site. It took 10 minutes to level in that one as well. The front wheels ended up being 4 inches off the ground and had to be blocked.

So I ended up idling for at least 30 minutes. My bad.

On the other hand there wasn't any cussing and being mid week the place is pretty empty.

[Davdeb1]

I haven't been in lots of campgrounds, but everyone I've been in has places not by anyone to pull to so you may idle your heart away. Idling to warm up at your campsite, is not just rude, its extremely dangerous to the health of everyone within 100 feet of you.

This is why I would never do it. Maybe my motorhome is different than others I can pull in slides, raise jacks, unhook my utilities all without starting my diesel. If any of you has to start the engine to do these things, I apologize for offending you.

[Muddypaws]

I have 4 separate jack motors than can and do all run at the same time. The engine must be running or the system will not even attempt to run them.

The slides might go with just they key on but I've not verified it.