At the time I made this video, I wasn't aware of this great "Summary of OEM Idling Recommendations..." document from the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. This document contains summaries from all the manufacturers and shows that every single one cautions against excessive idling. Look at the Medium Duty and Heavy Duty sections to see the engines we'll find in our buses. Share this with your friends who tell you idling your bus regularly is good for it... info.ornl.gov/sites/publications/files/pub61263.pdf
Nice, great topic and well covered with good backup documentation! I tell my customers that it’s better to let the engine just sit dormant than to just idle it. Most of my customers have 2 stroke Detroit engines so this is especially important for them. I tell them not to start the engine unless they plan on driving it for at least 30 min, and do not idle it for more than 5-10 min mainly to let the turbo cool down after driving, I like to see the engine oil temp come down to around 200 before shutting down the engine.
Thank you, sir. It sounds like we are fully aligned! Where are you located? I get asked about DD 2-stroke help and would love to refer your way if they're in the area.
@@GinosGarageUSA I love your videos! I’m in the wanderlodge group also. I’m pretty new to the diesel bus/wanderlodge community, as I just bought the $quanderlodge recently. What do you recommend for the old caterpillar 3208T?
@@jeffshull.7780 I would pretty much give the same advice really for any engine as I did the Detroit. The 3208 can sit dormant until you are ready to use it. They often have issues with the fuel systems leaking down from old hoses so that is something to keep in mind. Unless you want to go through the priming procedure after storing your bus for a while I would look at replacing old fuel lines.
As someone who has spent his whole working life fixing and maintaining fleet diesel engines I can verify that every single bit of advice given here in this video is spot on correct. I have seen hard worked well maintained engines that easily ran over a million trouble free miles, but I have also seen plenty of 3 to 5 year old low mileage diesel engines that are completely shot, mainly with low compression, which then gives rise to poor cold starting performance and high oil consumption. Even though these low mileage engines had received regular maintenance, the damage was caused by a poor duty cycle of constant stop/start very short journey work where the engines ran lightly loaded and rarely ever reached full operating temperature. All of which caused bore wash and premature wear of the engine cylinders.
Well, thank you for the comment and your experience...and for watching a boring damned video! It makes me cringe to see people (well intentioned) tell others to idle their engines often. Diesels should be loaded, for sure. Thanks, David.
@@RollingLiving thankfully my rig is to old to have one. I deleted the egr cooler as well I hear it helps its a 07 6.0 i added apr head studs hopefully it will be nice to me now :)
Very good video, and advice. I tend to let my DT466 warm up a little bit. I just can't get behind just starting an engine and letting it run for a few seconds and driving off. I normally wait until my coolant gauge moves about 90-100F, then start driving slowly and lightly etc until it comes up to temp. Then give her the full beans. In the winter in MT I sadly have to let my bus sit for sometimes up to three months at time, but like you said if it's started, I will drive it 25-75 miles.
Thank you for this. I was unaware of these things and will gladly pass this information along. I am assuming the only way to "correct" my error is to change the oil and keep my batteries up by charging till I can get the proper tags and insurance to operate the bus on the road. For me, I purchased the bus and have yet to complete the process beyond getting these things done, I was under the misconception that running the engine would be the way to keep it functioning properly, however, it sounds like at least my procrastination to start the bus regularly may have actually been good. This also makes me wonder about the use of a block heater while parked for construction. The block heater would not bring it up to the proper temperature for loaded run, so it sounds like this would actually be a bad thing, even not taking into account the fuel seepage, to use a block heater while "parked". I have not been using my block heater since purchase. If you have any thoughts on this, I would be interested. For now, I will be planning to change my oil and get it ready to go on the road as soon as possible to attempt to correct my error at least as much as I can.
This is an outstanding line of thinking and I'm going to pin it to the top of the comments. There is no question that a block heater is a good thing, when used for a period of time before a cold start...because it helps reduce the wear of a cold start. It warms the oil, so it circulates more freely. It reduces cranking time. It helps the engine get a head start on warming up. Block heaters are fantastic. But, you are exactly right about keeping the block heater on all the time. I've not see anything about this in the diesel world, but looking at the aviation community you'll find lots of cautions about this. There were observations of increased instances of internal engine corrosion after lower engine block heaters were introduced. The theory is that a block heater left on all the time warms the engine enough to evaporate water (and acids) out of the oil, where they condense on the cooler surfaces above...but the block heater doesn't heat the engine enough to "burn" the moisture out of the engine, like running does. Some aircraft owners even resort to pulling the dipstick, with the thought that it provides a path for moisture to escape...but that doesn't seem to make a difference. So, your thoughts are exactly right on track here. I am a huge fan of block heaters, but only when used for some period of time prior to a start. That time depends upon the temp, the engine size, the wattage of the heater. Sometimes it only takes an hour or two, sometimes it's overnight...but regardless, it should be followed by a good run.
I'm happy to help as I can...no charge. I would guess it lost fuel prime after sitting. When you crank it, do you see white smoke billowing from the tailpipe? If so, that's unburnt fuel and it's not a prime issue. But if not, then you probably need to prime the fuel system. Search my channel for a video on "my bus won't start" and that will show what I mean. What engine do you have in that bus?
I definitely needed to see this. I’m one of those who thought keeping your bus in shape just meant idling it once a week. Does driving your bus around and exercising it properly get rid of that buildup eventually or does the build up remain?
Well, first off kudos to you for being willing to change your mind! That is unfortunately getting rare, it seems. I was definitely on the wrong side of this at one time, too. I'm still learning all the time. Driving your bus "hard" and loading the engine regularly will help burn off residue and if you do that often it can keep things clean(er). If the engine was abused and lightly loaded for a long time already, just running loaded may not burn off what's there. But regular cycles of some good driving time can help keep buildup from happening. Now, I'm not saying you should mash the pedal up steep hills and let the engine overheat...overheating will kill an engine fast...but it's good to get the engine warmed up regularly.
if you cannot drive it every few weeks would still be better than letting it just sit for months but riding it 10-20 miles every few weeks is best. i would trickle charge batteries if sits weeks and especially newer ones with computers same with cars today they use battery power 24/7 electric cars one model of tesla would use an entire charge in 15 days just parked
At the time I made this video, I wasn't aware of this great "Summary of OEM Idling Recommendations..." document from the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. This document contains summaries from all the manufacturers and shows that every single one cautions against excessive idling. Look at the Medium Duty and Heavy Duty sections to see the engines we'll find in our buses. Share this with your friends who tell you idling your bus regularly is good for it...
info.ornl.gov/sites/publications/files/pub61263.pdf
Very good information! And, I had to laugh at the coking example. 😄
You've got good eyes!
Nice, great topic and well covered with good backup documentation! I tell my customers that it’s better to let the engine just sit dormant than to just idle it. Most of my customers have 2 stroke Detroit engines so this is especially important for them. I tell them not to start the engine unless they plan on driving it for at least 30 min, and do not idle it for more than 5-10 min mainly to let the turbo cool down after driving, I like to see the engine oil temp come down to around 200 before shutting down the engine.
Thank you, sir. It sounds like we are fully aligned! Where are you located? I get asked about DD 2-stroke help and would love to refer your way if they're in the area.
@@RollingLiving Excellent, I am located in the Tampa, Fl area. I will do what I can to help out.
@@GinosGarageUSA Would you email your contact info to me? ross@rollingliving.com
@@GinosGarageUSA I love your videos! I’m in the wanderlodge group also. I’m pretty new to the diesel bus/wanderlodge community, as I just bought the $quanderlodge recently. What do you recommend for the old caterpillar 3208T?
@@jeffshull.7780 I would pretty much give the same advice really for any engine as I did the Detroit. The 3208 can sit dormant until you are ready to use it. They often have issues with the fuel systems leaking down from old hoses so that is something to keep in mind. Unless you want to go through the priming procedure after storing your bus for a while I would look at replacing old fuel lines.
"What is coking" and the pictures, had me dead 🤣🤣🤣
As someone who has spent his whole working life fixing and maintaining fleet diesel engines I can verify that every single bit of advice given here in this video is spot on correct.
I have seen hard worked well maintained engines that easily ran over a million trouble free miles, but I have also seen plenty of 3 to 5 year old low mileage diesel engines that are completely shot, mainly with low compression, which then gives rise to poor cold starting performance and high oil consumption. Even though these low mileage engines had received regular maintenance, the damage was caused by a poor duty cycle of constant stop/start very short journey work where the engines ran lightly loaded and rarely ever reached full operating temperature. All of which caused bore wash and premature wear of the engine cylinders.
Well, thank you for the comment and your experience...and for watching a boring damned video! It makes me cringe to see people (well intentioned) tell others to idle their engines often. Diesels should be loaded, for sure. Thanks, David.
A subject I was just pondering today! Great timing. Thanks for the info sir!
Glad it was helpful! Thanks, Ed.
Ross, great video and information as always.
Thank you, Yvan. That's high praise from you.
Great info Ross
Why, thank you!
i just recently pulled and cleaned my egr and turbo that carbon can definitely build up
Yes indeed...the EGR valve, the turbo, and (for those poor folks who have them) the DPF.
@@RollingLiving thankfully my rig is to old to have one. I deleted the egr cooler as well I hear it helps its a 07 6.0 i added apr head studs hopefully it will be nice to me now :)
Another great and informative video. Thanks.
Haha, you must have low standards and high tolerance! But seriously, thank you Jeff.
Thank you so much for this information ❤
Most welcome 😊
Great videos, are you ok?
Very good video, and advice. I tend to let my DT466 warm up a little bit. I just can't get behind just starting an engine and letting it run for a few seconds and driving off. I normally wait until my coolant gauge moves about 90-100F, then start driving slowly and lightly etc until it comes up to temp. Then give her the full beans. In the winter in MT I sadly have to let my bus sit for sometimes up to three months at time, but like you said if it's started, I will drive it 25-75 miles.
It sounds like you're treating her right. The DT466 is one of my favorite engines.
Thank you!
Thanks for watching... It wasn't my most interesting video. 😁
You haven't posted in some time. I hope that you are doing well.
Thank you for this. I was unaware of these things and will gladly pass this information along. I am assuming the only way to "correct" my error is to change the oil and keep my batteries up by charging till I can get the proper tags and insurance to operate the bus on the road. For me, I purchased the bus and have yet to complete the process beyond getting these things done, I was under the misconception that running the engine would be the way to keep it functioning properly, however, it sounds like at least my procrastination to start the bus regularly may have actually been good. This also makes me wonder about the use of a block heater while parked for construction. The block heater would not bring it up to the proper temperature for loaded run, so it sounds like this would actually be a bad thing, even not taking into account the fuel seepage, to use a block heater while "parked". I have not been using my block heater since purchase. If you have any thoughts on this, I would be interested. For now, I will be planning to change my oil and get it ready to go on the road as soon as possible to attempt to correct my error at least as much as I can.
This is an outstanding line of thinking and I'm going to pin it to the top of the comments.
There is no question that a block heater is a good thing, when used for a period of time before a cold start...because it helps reduce the wear of a cold start. It warms the oil, so it circulates more freely. It reduces cranking time. It helps the engine get a head start on warming up. Block heaters are fantastic.
But, you are exactly right about keeping the block heater on all the time. I've not see anything about this in the diesel world, but looking at the aviation community you'll find lots of cautions about this. There were observations of increased instances of internal engine corrosion after lower engine block heaters were introduced. The theory is that a block heater left on all the time warms the engine enough to evaporate water (and acids) out of the oil, where they condense on the cooler surfaces above...but the block heater doesn't heat the engine enough to "burn" the moisture out of the engine, like running does. Some aircraft owners even resort to pulling the dipstick, with the thought that it provides a path for moisture to escape...but that doesn't seem to make a difference.
So, your thoughts are exactly right on track here. I am a huge fan of block heaters, but only when used for some period of time prior to a start. That time depends upon the temp, the engine size, the wattage of the heater. Sometimes it only takes an hour or two, sometimes it's overnight...but regardless, it should be followed by a good run.
I have a vanhool bus that won’t start. Can I pay you to help me get it running? Ran perfectly a year ago. New batteries and now crank no start
I'm happy to help as I can...no charge. I would guess it lost fuel prime after sitting. When you crank it, do you see white smoke billowing from the tailpipe? If so, that's unburnt fuel and it's not a prime issue. But if not, then you probably need to prime the fuel system. Search my channel for a video on "my bus won't start" and that will show what I mean.
What engine do you have in that bus?
I definitely needed to see this. I’m one of those who thought keeping your bus in shape just meant idling it once a week. Does driving your bus around and exercising it properly get rid of that buildup eventually or does the build up remain?
Well, first off kudos to you for being willing to change your mind! That is unfortunately getting rare, it seems. I was definitely on the wrong side of this at one time, too. I'm still learning all the time.
Driving your bus "hard" and loading the engine regularly will help burn off residue and if you do that often it can keep things clean(er). If the engine was abused and lightly loaded for a long time already, just running loaded may not burn off what's there. But regular cycles of some good driving time can help keep buildup from happening. Now, I'm not saying you should mash the pedal up steep hills and let the engine overheat...overheating will kill an engine fast...but it's good to get the engine warmed up regularly.
if you cannot drive it every few weeks would still be better than letting it just sit for months
but riding it 10-20 miles every few weeks is best. i would trickle charge batteries if sits weeks and especially newer ones with computers same with cars today they use battery power 24/7 electric cars one model of tesla would use an entire charge in 15 days just parked
First!!!
Haha! Made me laugh...
Second!!!
You guys are funny... 🙂