Is Prolonged Idling Harmful To A Diesel Engine? [+Video]

Everything is wasted when you idle a car for too long. Generally, you’re wasting your fuel and engine by letting it have a high chance of burning if left idle for too long. 

This article aims to guide you on idling your diesel engine too long and why you should avoid doing it as much as possible. Continue reading to learn more.

Is Idling Your Engine Bad? Does It Hurt Your Engine?

The video starts off by showing an idle car with some smoke spewing below the engine on the underside of the car. 

Then the speaker elaborates that idling your engine is bad because it could cause carbon buildup in your engine.

This wastes burning fuel, but your car is not moving and could cause your engine to slobber.

Afterward, they discussed how your engine could end up being in severe duty. This condition makes your engine work harder. These are the causes of this condition:

• Frequent operation in dusty regions
• Frequent high-altitude operation
• Frequent operation at low idle

Frequently Asked Questions

Does idling really hurt your engine?

Idling your engine would cause serious damage to your vehicle. It would be harder to operate with it because of the negative effects that are apparent when you idle your vehicle instead of turning it off and then driving again.

It would wear down your engine and would ultimately cost you more in the long run.

Generally, idling your vehicle would wear the engine in it down, so your normal operation would be harder to do.

In addition, there would be higher maintenance costs, and you would have a shorter engine lifespan.

Can Idling Only Damage The Engine?

There is a set limit of idling your car for only ten seconds and not more. Once you pass that ten-second mark, you are already wasting more fuel than if you just had restarted your engine.

In addition, excessive idling also damages the components of your engine pretty heavily, such as your cylinders, spark plugs, and exhaust systems.

If talking about parts and components outside the engine, such as your battery and starter motor, there would be less noticeable damage done to them than to the engine.

Can A Diesel Engine Run A Whole Day?

Many diesel generators have huge fuel tanks. Depending on the size and type, these fuel tanks could last 24 to 48 hours. 

If your generator reaches 3600 rpm, heat will build up from the engine, and running will be harder than usual. Additionally, they need a lot of oil to operate for longer periods.

What Is The Definition Of High-Idle On A Diesel Engine?

A vehicle should be idle at around six to seven hundred rpm. This causes a huge loss of fuel and money and contributes to the destruction of the engine from wear and tear. 

If you go higher than 120 miles per hour, lifting your foot off the gas pedal would be very dangerous. In addition, it could cause catastrophic damage to you and all of the people around you while you drive.

Is High-Idle Good For Diesel Engines?

If your engine is relatively new, then idling for more than 3 minutes is something you should never do. For your information, going fast on highways wears your engines more than stopping and idling. 

High-idling could damage your engine and be a really expensive investment to repair. Stop idling your cars and just turn them off to save time, money, and the environment.