Short Trips and the Duramax

k3500 · May 23, 2005

I currently have an 03 2500 w/ the 8.1 Allison. I'm seeing some good prices on 05 Durmax trucks and need to move up from the regular cab that I have now to the extended cab. My commute to work is 1.5 miles each way and am wondering how the short trips would affect a diesel since I've never owned one. MY uncle, a Ford man, says diesels do not like short stop and go trips, but my guess is as long as I follow the severe duty maintenance schedule and drive the truck on a couple extended trips a week to warm it up and get the moisture out of the engine, the diesel would hold up as well or better than a gas engine. Does anyone drive their trucks similar to this manner and does it or does it not affect the engine? Thanks for any info.

Jester4736w · May 23, 2005

I would say no, K3500... I'm in the exact opposite situation i live too far away from work. But As long as you take care of your truck i would say everything would end up fine and in the end have a nice trade-in value.

I could be wrong, i'm waiting to see what others have to say as well im curious.

The only thing i could see these short trips hurting is the exhaust, a teacher of mine tought me that short trips will still produce moisture in the exhaust system, but since your not driving very far the heat cannot get rid of this moisture therefore it sits in your muffler, cat, etc.

Shaners · May 23, 2005

I'm less than 2 miles to work and I just bought a new Dmax.

My theory is that short trips are hard on anything that you own! Period!

Following the severe duty maintenance schedule will help, and that's what I have to do also.

I fire my truck up in the AM and let iti idle for a few minutes while I finish my coffee. I also let it idle in the parking lot at work for a minute before I shut it off.

I think the diesel engines that are being built today, are very different from the ones of years gone by... They can be driven more like a gasoline engine.

Machine · May 23, 2005

Hi, K3500,

FWIW, diesels like to be run. They also like to run at their normal operating temps - something that a 1.5 mile commute cannot do...something that a 10 mile (winter) commute cannot do. Will it kill a diesel to be run like this day after day - nah, but it's fair to say that your mpgs won’t be anything to brag about. One thing is for sure, though, once you own a diesel, you will never want another gasser truck.

k3500 · May 23, 2005

Jester,

Funny you should mention the water in the exhaust system. I just put on a Flowmaster and when I cut of the old muffler, I ended up with a puddle on the floor of the garage. Not a huge puddle, but water nonetheless.

Everyone thanks for the replies. I'm going to go in tomorrow and see if I can make a good deal on an 05. I was also just thinking that since the diesels come equipped with block heaters, I may try running the heater for an hour or so before my morning commute. I know that won't warm the oil much, but I think it would help some with condensation in the engine.

Thanks again.

MillerClemsonHD · May 23, 2005

Jester,

Funny you should mention the water in the exhaust system. I just put on a Flowmaster and when I cut of the old muffler, I ended up with a puddle on the floor of the garage. Not a huge puddle, but water nonetheless.

Everyone thanks for the replies. I'm going to go in tomorrow and see if I can make a good deal on an 05. I was also just thinking that since the diesels come equipped with block heaters, I may try running the heater for an hour or so before my morning commute. I know that won't warm the oil much, but I think it would help some with condensation in the engine.

Thanks again.

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Not sure where you are located and what kind of winters you have etc. I dont own a diesel but I do know the short trips will be harder on it, but doubt it will have a major impact on it. One thing you can do to minimize this would be to get a remote start. This could help you to start it and let it idle longer, in the AM, and depending on your work situation in the afternoon. I know lots of people use this to help warm up on cold mornings etc. Just something to consider if you want the dmax that may help you make sure it runs enough.

k3500 · May 24, 2005

I live in Minnesota, the land of extremes. I hadn't thought of a remote starter, but sounds like between using the block heater and using a remote starter to let the truck run for a bit before driving to work would help. Thanks for the suggestion.

Machine · May 24, 2005

I live in Minnesota, the land of extremes. I hadn't thought of a remote starter, but sounds like between using the block heater and using a remote starter to let the truck run for a bit before driving to work would help. Thanks for the suggestion.

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k3500 - what's more important than a remote starter is a high idle. The Dmax doesn't idle at a high enough RPM to produce enough heat to warm the engine while sitting in your driveway. A high idle installed will boost the RPM to 1500 where it can sit at idle and generate the heat needed to warm the enigine and cab. If you like, i can point you to many sites that offer high idle kits and/or do it yourself mods.

Shaners · May 24, 2005

Machine, When I scrolled through my DIC on my '05 Dmax, I saw a place that I just assumed was the abillity to turn the idle up. Currently it is set in the "Off" position. I've never tried to turn it "On", and I haven't really looked for info about it in my manual. So I'm not sure what it exactly does.

Machine · May 24, 2005

Machine, When I scrolled through my DIC on my '05 Dmax, I saw a place that I just assumed was the abillity to turn the idle up. Currently it is set in the "Off" position. I've never tried to turn it "On", and I haven't really looked for info about it in my manual. So I'm not sure what it exactly does.

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Interesting. I've read that GM is going to have the high idle option in the 2006 model but maybe you already have it in the 05. If so, use it to your advantage! Mine is an 03 and it's not an option. Please let me know if you've got it.

Jester4736w · May 24, 2005

Isn't the high idle on a diesel for running a PTO system or some kind of air? Also, wouldnt a high idle hurt a cold truck? Figure when you start the truck in the winter and floor it it isn't good for it obviously, so i would assume that 1500 in a diesel isnt great either? Just wondering, thats all...

Also, what about a high idle kit for a gas truck? Any advantages as far as heat in the morning?

Shaners · May 24, 2005

Here's what I found on the elevated idle/exhaust restrictor...

It only works if air temps are below 32* and coolant is below 150*.

It will raise the idle speed slowely from 680 RPMs to 1200 RPMs. This process will take from a few seconds up to 2 minutes. Once coolent temps are above 150* then the elevated idle returns to normal.

This process is controlled via the DIC or if not equipped with DIC it is activated by turning the truck to "run". Then floor the accelerator and quickly press the brake three times in 8 seconds. Release the accelerator and start the engine.

High idle will only work while in "P" or "N".

Roofer · May 24, 2005

I didn't know that either on the '05's. Great info! Furds have had it for years and it helps alot. I need to get it on my truck or just get a new one.

bluenote · May 25, 2005

The LLY Duramax's (2004.5 and newer) have a cold weather high idle standard. The LB7 Duramax's (2001-2004.5) do not, but you can install a high idle feature easily. A buddy and I bought a ready-to-go kit for $10 each and installed them ourselves. The set-up on ours is run through the cruise control switch (off: standard idle, on: 850 rpm, set: 1250 rpm, resume: 1750 rpm). The 1250 rpm setting keeps oil pressures at a decent level while idling and really does warm the engine up fairly quickly when cold.

whitesnake01 · May 25, 2005

Interesting. I've read that GM is going to have the high idle option in the 2006 model but maybe you already have it in the 05. If so, use it to your advantage! Mine is an 03 and it's not an option. Please let me know if you've got it.

I seem to recall that the 06 Allison and software brings one additional mode of helping to heat the inside of the truck faster. Right now the coolant system is so darn efficient that it takes a while at 10F to bring the cab to temp.

There is some sort of settable idle option on my 05 with DIC.