High Idle - Why?

Regardless who owns the truck, am I causing damage to a 1998 Cat if I leave at low idle? I know the fuel savings are there, but if I'm damaging the engine then obviously it's not worth the fuel savings. That's what I really want to know. From what I've read, after about 1995, fuel injection came in (correct me if I'm wrong), and since then it LOOKS like I should be ok on low idle

 

If you're not in the truck why idle it? How cold is it outside?

 

If it gets below - 15C and I can't plug it in, it's too ###### cold. Won't start in the morning. I live in Grande Prairie Alberta Canada It's right cold up here. - 45 many times, not including the wind chill.

 

Ok then yes idle it and set it at 900-1100 and keep everything warm. At those idle speeds you will only burn 2-3 gallons more fuel then you would at 600-700 or what ever the idle is and the added heat from the higher rpm will burn the fuel instead of letting it slobber and possibly start diluting the engine oil.

 

THANK YOU! I appreciate the straight up answer.

 

Why do you say guys like me? Cuz I 100% did not direct that at myself. Just so we’re clear i own my own trucks and my trucks won’t idle without being put on high idle after 5 minutes they shut off.

I was referring to guys who don’t care. their truck brakes down they get another one and move on

 

One place I worked at the company mandated that all trucks in the yard were to be left running as it was -30 to -35 during that 2 week period. Preach and preach to the drivers to leave them running at 1000-1200 RPM. Very few did. Had to go out and bump the idle up every night on half the trucks. Took a week off at Christmas. Had a C12 powered Western Star that sat just over a week at idle. Oil pressure was less than 5 PSI and the oil level was WAY high. Normally get just under one drain pan full of oil out of a C12. Ended up with over 2.5. Wiped out the whole engine.

 

That's cold leave her run, just bump it up off dead idle to 8 or 900 rpm it shouldn't burn much more.

 

Read your CAT owner's / operator's manual. The manual addresses recommended procedure for prolonged idle times.