Idling/tickover on driveway during winter?

[Sixty-nine Chevy]

Hi all. Does anyone know if letting a campervan/motorhome idle/tickover for say 15 minutes (or longer?) has a beneficial effect during winter when it is not otherwise being used? I am thinking in particular of during the current lockdown in England, but I guess it would also apply to any winter period of a few weeks when the vehicle is not being driven. How long on idle/tickover is needed to replace the energy taken out of the battery during startup? Thanks.

 

[David and Sally]

Usually it does more harm than good. It may cause condensation in the exhaust system and oil, clogging of DPF filters and other woes. It really needs to be run up to temperature under load.

Many have the opinion that it will be much better just left and the battery kept tiptop on a charger.

 

[Kannon Fodda]

It's probably a bad idea and better to leave the engine off. Idling alone will take forever for the engine, and other components through to the exhaust to really get up to temperature. Engines are designed to run at load, and idling if it must be done, really should be with a warmed up engine.

For many modern engines with DPF and other sensors, the engines need to be operated at revs otherwise the sensors will get bunged up with expensive trip to the garage.

As above, if you cannot top up the motor battery from solar or similar, then best to expect to put the vehicle on a charger every fortnight or so to deal with the slight losses caused by alarms and similar.

 

[Lenny HB]

Probably the best way of wrecking your engine, don't do it.
Modern diesel engines never reach operating temperature when started from cold and left on tick over, it's a good way of glazing the bores and the cold gases will also wreck the CAT & DPF.

You should always drive off immediately after starting.

 

[Podney]

As above.
When out of lockdown take it for a good run,20 miles or more,that will also mean other components are in use.
Otherwise leave on ehu.

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[Mr mrs tupcox]

If you dont need to drive and use why start it .
Not good plan run modern engines in this way ..

 

[poppycamper]

Been covered many times on here and general concensess is DONT. If you can't take for decent drive leave well alone.
You will do more damage idling engine... it will never warm up properly.. if worried about battery get a charger.

 

[Sixty-nine Chevy]

Thanks to all for the rapid and clear responses. That's settled then!

 

[SpeedyDux]

I drive our PVC to the supermarket for my weekly food shop (permitted reasonable excuse for leaving home).

That includes a bit of welly along some dual carriageways. So far, so good.

 

[Otter Spotter]

Hi all. Does anyone know if letting a campervan/motorhome idle/tickover for say 15 minutes (or longer?) has a beneficial effect during winter when it is not otherwise being used? I am thinking in particular of during the current lockdown in England, but I guess it would also apply to any winter period of a few weeks when the vehicle is not being driven. How long on idle/tickover is needed to replace the energy taken out of the battery during startup? Thanks.

As many have already said, don’t do it, better to give the van a run for 40 mins just go t9 the supermarket, fuel station or travel to you place of exercise, distance is not legislated for so you permitted in lockdown.
No point in trying to save your battery but ruin your sensor or DPF and maybe needing a new exhaust before it’s time.

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[poppycamper]

drive our PVC to the supermarket for my weekly food shop

Absolutely agree 100%
Also another reason NOT to Sorn.

 

[CazPaul]

So if no DPF, no CAT no EGR is it still a bad idea?

 

[poppycamper]

So if no DPF, no CAT no EGR is it still a bad idea?

IMV.... Definitely yes

 

[Lenny HB]

So if no DPF, no CAT no EGR is it still a bad idea?

Yes.

 

[Spriddler]

So if no DPF, no CAT no EGR is it still a bad idea?

Yes.
It has no practical benefit other than giving you the comfort of knowing that at least the engine still starts.

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[Derbyshire wanderer]

So if no DPF, no CAT no EGR is it still a bad idea?

Yes as the fuel doesn’t burn properly when below operating temperature so it washes the bores and ultimately leads to excessive oil consumption and smoking

 

[autorouter]

If you have no other way of charging the battery, then the vehicle needs to be started and driven at least once a month. Does that mean it's essential for you to to do this?

 

[CazPaul]

If you have no other way of charging the battery, then the vehicle needs to be started and driven at least once a month. Does that mean it's essential for you to to do this?

It had trouble starting after first lockdown because not used much starter motor sticking I think, after quite a bit of starting/using when lockdown finished seems fine now just didn't want the same issues

 

[TheBig1]

If you are planning a visit to the garage for an MOT, I always suggest a good high rev run before arriving at the garage. It gets the engine up to operating temperature so is better for emissions testing and cleans any surface rust off the brake discs if the van has sat for a while. Otherwise the mechanic doing the testing will sit there in the garage revving the nuts off your pride and joy to try and warm up the engine