Idle Question?

[Lynden-Jeff]

Hey,

I was idling my truck this morning since it was a little chilly out (8 C) just before I was about to go out. The truck had been idling for maybe 2-3 minutes and I noticed the idle changed and went higher. It usually idles at around 600 and it went up to about 900. I'm sure this is probably normal but I thought I would ask anyways. Also can anyone give me information on the idle controls for prolonged idling periods? I am going to be plowing and the truck will be left idling for longer periods of time and I don't "wet stacking" and the other bad effects to damage anything.

Thanks for the info.

Cheers
Jeff

 

[powerboatr]

jeff
cold idle is dependent on many factors. The one the pcm/ecm likes the most is oil temp, if its cold it sees the engine as to cold and will bump up idle accordingly. sme go as high as 1200 while others remain at 600-900

for 05 and up the pcm/ecm was pre programed to run a high idle or batter charge protect with jsut the addition of a few switches. yours you can get an AIC or auxillary idle contrller that plugs into the pcm/ecm and will allow you to ramp up or down your idle speed while stationary.

as far as wet stacking... its generally accepted that prolonged idle below 300 egt is bad.
most 6.0's idle at 375 -400 so you shouldnt have an issue.
some have dropped to 300 but not many
this is for normal outside temps, 50-90 F
you being cold outside already the pcm/ecm wil try to raise the idle often to keep the engine warm. it will also drop back t idle if you tap the brake

there are many her that plow so maybe they will chime in and add some food for thought

ford snow plowing

 

[Lynden-Jeff]

Hi,

Thanks for the info. I actually have a couple more questions. I notice when I start my truck in the morning, usually when its below 20C its a little rough for the first few minutes. Is this normal? Nothing crazy, just doesn't sound as smooth as if it had been running for some time. This is my first diesel.

Also for the plow guys. I noticed that ford has N/R beside all the diesels except regular cab. I have a short box super cab and I know many plow with them. Is there anything I should outfit the truck with to better prepare it? I may start a whole new thread about this is no one sees it.

Thanks again!

 

[jvencius]

Hi,

Thanks for the info. I actually have a couple more questions. I notice when I start my truck in the morning, usually when its below 20C its a little rough for the first few minutes. Is this normal?

Yes.

 

[Flopster843]

I thought the high-idle control was on the WIKI here, but I couldn't find it. So in leau to that I have to like to another site for the correct info. Click here.

As far as the rough cold starts, it's completely normal for all diesel trucks. Just wait till it's like -5C and hear what it sounds like. Mine bucks and misses and smokes and sounds like it's going to throw a rod for the first 15 seconds upon startup at those temeratures. But it's always started and never had any trouble doing so.

 

[DaveBen]

You can also look in my pictures for the high idle mod that I did. It is easy.

Dave

 

[Flopster843]

Dave, why don't you put a like to that in the WIKI so we can find it in the future.

 

[DaveBen]

I will write it up when I get a few minutes.

Dave

 

[sawed off]

Im gonna add a little information on the subject of the high idle mod. Most of the write ups are for the Upfitter switches, If you don't have them all I did was ran the 12v wire to my fuse box. It is a very easy mod!! works great Good luck

 

[RoyBoy]

The rough idle at sold start up is normal, BUT if you get the latest reflash, it should help this considerably. It is due to cold oil in the injectors causing "stiction". the newest reflash uses what they call inductive heating to heat the injectors at cold start up. The reflash just before that would cycle the injectors for about 30 seconds after shut off (which some found irritating )

I should note that the high idle mod does NOT work on the 6 speed transmission trucks, if you have a manual you will need a regular AIC.