Turning off-truck engines in traffic

Mine used to puff smoke when it was started.

I know my foot was not on the pedal. I started it from the ground.

 

I guarantee most of mine started with a puff of smoke, especially those with the mechanical pumps. I know the 'Binder does. I'll have to see if my Columbia does.

 

The alternator is going to be drawing much more to keep recharging the batteries from starting and stopping the engine. It takes alot of stored engergy(batteries) to make that first couple revolutions of the engine. As soon as it starts the alternator is going to work to replace that engergy.

For me, just the chance of a mechanical failure in the middle of a rush hour traffic jam outweighs any savings. What fuel you save over 20 years doing this would be erased by one overheated starter that fails in the middle of the freeway.

 

The engine has more moving parts than a starter... why aren't you worried that the engine will fail while idling?

 

When I was tied up in a traffic jam....a bad one where no one was moving...then I'd shut it off. Usually it was when we weren't moving for a LONG time.

 

Just curious to the pro idlers. When you go home for the weekend, do you shut it off or leave it running for the whole weekend? Not trying to imply anything just wondering. Because some people do leave it running.

What about with your personal car?

 

The fan doesn't come on until I hit 200 degrees, when I'm heavy and moving in The fan doesn't come on until I hit 200 degrees, when I'm heavy AND giving it throttle in traffic, the turbo comes on. which seems to heat up engine, is that not right?....

 

If it is a roaring sound you are hearing, it is the fan.

The turbo is on ANYTIME the exhaust is there. The turbo will pick up boost and increase in noise when pulling hard. It will be a whistling sound.

 

Wow this turned into a cat fight. From a old thread revived. Some times ya ppl need to chillax. Why argue with people who have years of experience under there belt and telling them they are wrong? Yes, idling is not that great. Long wait times in traffic jams, sure shut it down. Not when its touch and go (obviously). And comparing a engine rebuild to starter? That was just dumb..... Of course a #### starter is going to be cheaper... Yes a engine will be what moves it.. But what starts it when you turn that key...

And I may be wrong, in no way am I a mechanic. But simmer down ppl!