Trybal

Is it true that excessive (30mins+) idling will damage a High Compression motor? Sounds like BS to me, but you never know.

DumbasSi

I dunno. Truckers always leave their motors running and those big rigs have compresion ratios between 15-20:1.

Trybal

Indeed, also that those motors last like 1 million kms.

This is a myth that i heard. In which id like to hear of proof or experience.

spike

But they are diesel, and the internal's of them are different from a gas engine. Diesel are made to idle for long time's, that's why they have a hour meter in them, to keep track of how long they are ran for.

Trybal

So, is this concluded? That idling won't damage a high compression engine?

FiveO

It's common knowledge that idling for long periods of time is not only a waste of fuel, but also not good for the engine. High compression or not makes no difference, and even diesel engine manufacturers warn against excessive idling.

Did you try googling your question?

"Myth 2: Idling is good for your engine. Excessive idling can actually damage your engine components, including cylinders, spark plugs, and exhaust systems. An idling engine is not operating at its peak temperature, which means that fuel does not undergo complete combustion. This leaves fuel residue that can condense on cylinder walls, where they can contaminate the oil and damage parts of the engine. For example, fuel residues are often deposited on spark plugs. As you spend more time idling, the average temperature of the spark plug drops. This makes the plug get dirty more quickly, which increases fuel consumption by 4 to 5 %. Excessive idling also lets water condense in the vehicle’s exhaust, leading to corrosion and a reduction of the life of your exhaust system."


"[SIZE="]Can idling damage my car’s engine?[/SIZE]
You bet it can! Because the engine isn’t working at its peak operating temperature when it’s idling, the fuel doesn’t undergo complete combustion. This leaves fuel residues that can contaminate engine oil and damage engine parts. For example, fuel residues tend to deposit on spark plugs. As the amount of engine idling increases, the plugs’ average temperature drops, and they get dirty more quickly. This, in turn, can increase fuel consumption by four to five percent. It’s a vicious circle of wasted fuel and needless greenhouse gas emissions. Excessive idling can also let water condense in the vehicle’s exhaust. This can lead to corrosion and reduce the life of the exhaust system."

"An idling engine releases twice as many exhaust fumes as a vehicle in motion, polluting our air for no good reason. This pollution is a significant contributor to environmental and health problems like climate change and smog. The good news is that idling is one environmental problem and health threat that is easy to fix - all it takes is the turn of a key. Anyone who drives a vehicle can be part of the solution.
Canadians idle our vehicles an average of 5 to 10 minutes a day to warm up our vehicles or wait for somebody. While it may seem insignificant, the harm that it causes to your vehicle, wallet, health and the environment is considerable.


To your vehicle: Excessive idling (more than 30 seconds) can contaminate engine oil and damage engine components.
To your wallet: Idling your vehicle for as little as 10 minutes a day uses an average of 100 litres of gas a year. By turning your vehicle off, you can save up to $75 a year assuming gas costs 75 cents a litre.

To your health: Idling discharges harmful pollutants that affect us all. By idling your car, you are particularly placing young children, the elderly and people with respiratory problems at a greater health risk.
To the environment: Idling contributes to harmful greenhouse gas emissions which cause smog and climate change."

Trybal

Sorry, never thought about googling.

Great info! Thank-you very much. Didn't know that it will contaminate the engine oil. Though it all makes sense.

Cheers!

Bymer

the reason the truckers leave the motors idling is probably 75% of them don't own the truck, its the companies. so the last thing they care about is the fuel/engine ware.

but on the other hand diesel engines are known to run for extensive millage.

D.T.P

Truckers also leave their trucks on over night because they either sleep in there [truck stops etc] or when it gets really cold over night they will run the engines over night when they have to go to work next morning since diesel starts harder in cold weather than gas.
also most big trucking companies provide the drivers with a company card for gas with which they can pump diesel at much cheaper prices. my dad gets diesel at 35cents/liter
and about milage his rig has 700xxx+km on it already and still running strong hehe

Bymer

Ive seen rigs go 1.5 million without engine rebuild. lol

D.T.P

yeah as long as the owner takes care of it, it will go for ever.

k_r_a_c_k_e_r

iTrader: (3)

good anser!.. thats the same things I'v heard.

k_r_a_c_k_e_r

iTrader: (3)

I think it was about 5 years ago, we let one of our friends park his semi (just the truck) in out driveway and he shut it off, next morring the thing wouldnt start cause it was to cold, it sat there for 2 days.. ha ha

ol Dusty

iTrader: (2)

my step dad's work makes the guys take turn with there rig instead of the usual company van they drive and the first year he got it he came home parked beside the house. the next day it wouldn't start so he left in his car to go to work without it. when we came home that night, the warmer day and a crappy driveway led to it sinking to the axles. that was back in 94 they still have that same truck and it's the only one they haven't replaced since

I idle my car long enough to let it warm up so the idle will drop to ~1000 so, I don't think this is what they're talking about in the google answer but is this why the OP is asking? most cars use more gas to idle for 10 sec. then to start them so you shouldn't idle anyway.