leaving engine idling..?

[Paul and Pippa]

I've noticed a few motor homes that are off site starting their engines up and leaving them idling...I inquired why and was told to boost their leisure battery and was also told it's ok as long as it's not over 20 mins,,is this correct?,,I'm no expert but I thought it would it damage the engine?...

 

[buttons]

I think it depends more on what your attitude is to pollution. It is a selfish act however you look at it. It also carries an £80 fine.

Driver WARNING - Why leaving your engine running could now land you...

DRIVERS are being warned that leaving their engine to idle could land them a fine of up to £80, in a new pollution crackdown.

www.express.co.uk

 

[Ivory55]

They should really have a big diesel generator running, much more civilised. Haha

 

[Two on Tour]

If their motorhome is fairly new, it's likely fitted with a smart alternator and if that's the case and their cab battery is fully charged, then they are pretty well wasting their time and fuel as the alternator will push bugger all to the leisure battery.

 

[Paul and Pippa]

I appreciate you response, but I'm only asking if it would damage their engines ,,I myself use sites when my leisure battery is running low....

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[Paul and Pippa]

If their motorhome is fairly new, it's likely fitted with a smart alternator and if that's the case and their cab battery is fully charged, then they are pretty well wasting their time and fuel as the alternator will push bugger all to the leisure battery.

the two I saw were very old ...

 

[funflair]

I think you will find that idling does a lot less damage to an old diesel than a modern one, I believe it's about clocking up DPF's.

Martin

 

[PhilG]

It can cause over heating of CAT's , and cause them to collapse internally, not sure about DPF's.

 

[filopastry]

Yet fair ground folks have their engines running slowly for hours. Neither condoning nor condemning simply as with Paul and Pippa questioning the perceived facts. Would be nice to read definitive reasoned responses rather than "it might be, it could be etc" Opinions are great but facts are much better.

phil

 

[Neil Bedwin]

There is an awful lot of industrial diesel generators out there that run for months on end.

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[Vic. Parsons.]

I think it depends more on what your attitude is to pollution. It is a selfish act however you look at it. It also carries an £80 fine.

Driver WARNING - Why leaving your engine running could now land you...

DRIVERS are being warned that leaving their engine to idle could land them a fine of up to £80, in a new pollution crackdown.

www.express.co.uk

No more petrol or diesel generators allowed either then? That would be refreshing as there's nothing worse than being parked downwind of someone running a generator to charge their electric bicycles. ?

 

[Pausim]

When I had a boat I was told by an engineer not to leave the engine idling when cold because it could lead to glazing of the cylinders. He explained that a hot running diesel engine keeps the cylinder bores and piston rings in proper contact but if it doesn’t get properly hot they polish each other and the seal and compression can be permanently reduced. With modern diesels there seem to be lots of additional problems with exhaust gas recirculation, DPFs and catalysts. I think a lot depends on what the engine was designed for and a slow revving generator engine is probably very different from a modern lightweight diesel road engine with pollution controls.

 

[Lofty1]

Engine wear is increased if you allow an engine to tick over from cold , the faster it reaches working temperature the better. if you must run it put a block on the throttle to keep the engine at about 2000 rpm

 

[Spriddler]

It's not only the issue of causing engine wear (or not) but also the matter of avoiding unnecessary pollution. At many traffic light junctions and level crossings there are notices to turn off engines whilst waiting, plus the rise in engine Stop/Start functions on modern cars.

 

[Paul and Pippa]

Thanks, but l'm not an environmental policeman, l'm simply asking if it causes engine damage, l don't want to go off topic else we'll end up talking about Brexit ???,, btw who are you voting for.. ???

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[Spriddler]

Thanks, but l'm not an environmental policeman, l'm simply asking if it causes engine damage, l don't want to go off topic else we'll end up talking about Brexit ???,, btw who are you voting for.. ???

My reply referred to whether the engine idling 'rule' was possibly not solely an engine wear matter as I don't know whether leaving an engine idling is a prosecutable offence.
Idling ice cream vans don't seem to provoke engine wear. Obesity perhaps, but not engine wear.

 

[Paul and Pippa]

Free ice-creams if you vote Labour..?

 

[Lenny HB]

Starting and leaving a diesel engine ticking over from cold it will never obtain full operating temperature or take a very long time, not only will it cause bore glazing but will also wreck the CAT & DPF. Can't remember who it was now but one Funster found out just how expensive it was.

Idling ice cream vans don't seem to provoke engine wear. Obesity perhaps, but not engine wear

Ice cream van is not idling from cold, it's been driven to the parking spot and the engine is up to temperature.
So if you want to leave your engine idling to charge the battery take the van for a 20 mile drive first.

 

[Pausim]

Thanks, but l'm not an environmental policeman, l'm simply asking if it causes engine damage

Yes.

 

[Cheshirecat57]

The definitive answer is that in certain circumstances it is possible that it might do

But what I really want to talk about is the health service sell-off.......................................

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[Paul and Pippa]

This is not a political post,, the NHS is not for sale...although it may be on Friday,,, ?....l would suggest you invest in NHS shares immediately,,, when you cash in you could then afford a large generator on a trailer,, ? ? ?...

 

[Ivory55]

Starting and leaving a diesel engine ticking over from cold it will never obtain full operating temperature or take a very long time, not only will it cause bore glazing but will also wreck the CAT & DPF. Can't remember who it was now but one Funster found out just how expensive it was.

Ice cream van is not idling from cold, it's been driven to the parking spot and the engine is up to temperature.
So if you want to leave your engine idling to charge the battery take the van for a 20 mile drive first.

Unless it’s one at the shows, then they are delivered on a transporter and just start up and run each day. Think they plug them in to a generator at night.

 

[autorouter]

This only applies to the very few, who have lithium leisure batteries fitted. At idling and low engine speeds the lithium battery draws a higher current than a lead-acid/Gel/AGM, and this can lead to the alternator overheating, even burning out.

 

[tacr2man]

Engines on ice cream vans are not idling they are frequently being "load up" this is what prevents bore glazing . Similar thing with large gensets working under load is the factor . With dpfs and cats they need temperature , otherwise they clog . This same principle even extends to these chinese blow air diesel heaters , running them light leads to coking up .

 

[Spriddler]

..l would suggest you invest in NHS shares immediately,,, when you cash in you could then afford a large generator on a trailer,, ? ? ?...

.......and as a side-line be public-spirited and set the m/h up for breast screening.

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[pappajohn]

Diesel engine should be started and immediately placed under load.... IE: Driven.

 

[filopastry]

I can do breast screening .... not qualified but I'll give it a go ....how hard can it be ..... oh bugger ...... 'er indoors can read this .... GULP!!!!

 

[busby]

Yet fair ground folks have their engines running slowly for hours. Neither condoning nor condemning simply as with Paul and Pippa questioning the perceived facts. Would be nice to read definitive reasoned responses rather than "it might be, it could be etc" Opinions are great but facts are much better.

phil

Usually Gardner's,, No way you can damage one providing it has oil and water.? BUSBY.

 

[Tea Bag]

and as a side-line be public-spirited and set the m/h up for breast screening.

Hi.
SSSHHHhhhh... Jennifer sometimes reads these posts,i will never be allowed out again on my own if she reads THIS ONE...DOH !!
Tea Bag

 

[Tea Bag]

Hi.
Reading the bit about what NOT to do with the "Auto box" on our Ducato PVC, (Ticking over for prolonged periods ) i am scared if i have to wait at Traffic lights for long. I wonder why they ever let it be fitted,heaven forbid we get caught up on the M/way in a queue for an hour in mid winter . Metals not like Skin,it cannot mend itself.
Tea Bag

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