Is it safe to run for extended idle times??

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Badgertits

FRF Addict
Joined
Jan 24, 2019
Posts
2,809
Reaction score
2,446
Location
Ma
I have let mine idle several times for over 30 minutes w/ no issue. One time I was trying to update Sync and left it running for a lot longer, maybe an hour or two, trying to get it to update over my home wifi.
Next day I went to drive off and solid white smoke out of the exhaust for a few minutes, didn't last long. Thinking back, I don't think I drove it anywhere that day. These trucks don't seem to build much heat at idle.
Most of the other times is when I arrive at a baseball field, my son gets out and I take a nap or whatever, usually about 45 minutes. Truck is already up to normal operating temp these times.

don't build much heat @ idle I'm guessing because its behaving as a basic 3.5 V6 but getting the cooling benefits of a system designed to keep TQ monster twin turbo V6 chill - when turbos aren't in use big difference
 

K223

FRF Addict
Joined
Sep 15, 2019
Posts
5,192
Reaction score
3,459
Location
Florida
I’d almost find it hard to believe any modern vehicle made today and the last number of previous years that would suffer damage from long idle times.

Years ago in regards to say the old small block Chevy’s for one, you didn’t want to let them excessively idle due to the cam lobes not being pressure oiled, but only dripped and splashed. Again I think it applied to performance build ups and how many stock engines suffered idle damage?

Still a worthy question to ask.
 

SnowyStang

Member
Joined
May 23, 2020
Posts
3
Reaction score
2
Location
Tulsa, OK
Hey, this happened to me yesterday. I started the truck to cool it off before leaving with the family, but the toddler delayed us. So, I think it idled 30+ minutes, and then I saw it blowing smoke getting on the highway. I pulled over and saw it puffing out a bit. Once it blew its nose, it was done. Nothing since. I have 22k.
 

Traffic22

Full Access Member
Joined
May 3, 2020
Posts
416
Reaction score
336
Location
SF Bay Area
Hey, this happened to me yesterday. I started the truck to cool it off before leaving with the family, but the toddler delayed us. So, I think it idled 30+ minutes, and then I saw it blowing smoke getting on the highway. I pulled over and saw it puffing out a bit. Once it blew its nose, it was done. Nothing since. I have 22k.
I have let mine idle several times for over 30 minutes w/ no issue. One time I was trying to update Sync and left it running for a lot longer, maybe an hour or two, trying to get it to update over my home wifi.
Next day I went to drive off and solid white smoke out of the exhaust for a few minutes, didn't last long. Thinking back, I don't think I drove it anywhere that day. These trucks don't seem to build much heat at idle.
Most of the other times is when I arrive at a baseball field, my son gets out and I take a nap or whatever, usually about 45 minutes. Truck is already up to normal operating temp these times.


Is it smoke or steam from all the water in the exhaust? I’ve never had an issue with idling, but have seen a crap ton of water and steam come out of the exhaust after idling.

If it was smoke, what did it smell like? That can often be a hint of what is burning off.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 

Instarand

Member
Joined
May 2, 2020
Posts
27
Reaction score
38
Location
CT
I live in the NE - I'd say there's WAYYYY more damage that would occur to this thing from NOT letting it idle & warm up to operating temp vs. starting it getting in & going. My Raptor does NOT sound "happy" when he wakes up first thing on a cold start...after 5-10 mins tho its ready to go. Admittedly w/o any first hand knowledge, I also believe running a high quality synthetic (I use arguably the "highest" - Amsoil signature series 5W30) & allowing the engine to idle for a bit & warm up for 10 mins in cold temps is going to help you avoid gasket leaks & the cam phaser rattle vs. running whatever the dealer/shop dumps in it & cranking it & driving 5 seconds later.

I also am baffled how constantly cycling the engine on/off for fuel efficiency (turned off on mine) could NOT cause excessive wear/tear on starter/ignition & also starve some of the engine for oil in some circumstances. It is all mechanical, starting & stopping over and over again has gotta be worse than starting & idling.......not worse for MPG, worse for mechanical wear

there are two schools of thought here... not sure if the raptor motor specifically is any different.

many experts claim that warming up your car by letting it idle actually does more harm than just driving off. They claim the idea of letting the engine idle to warm up is an older concept necessary back in the days of the carburetor, but is no longer relevant.

i agree, all cars run smoother when warm. The question is whether you should bring it to temperature driving off and taking it easy or by letting it idle up to temp.

https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/videos/a30249/why-you-shouldnt-warm-up-your-car/
 

Badgertits

FRF Addict
Joined
Jan 24, 2019
Posts
2,809
Reaction score
2,446
Location
Ma
there are two schools of thought here... not sure if the raptor motor specifically is any different.

many experts claim that warming up your car by letting it idle actually does more harm than just driving off. They claim the idea of letting the engine idle to warm up is an older concept necessary back in the days of the carburetor, but is no longer relevant.

i agree, all cars run smoother when warm. The question is whether you should bring it to temperature driving off and taking it easy or by letting it idle up to temp.

https://www.roadandtrack.com/car-culture/videos/a30249/why-you-shouldnt-warm-up-your-car/

I agree- manual tranny N/A car I absolutely do the opposite for the most part (unless truly COLD out) - but I mean the Raptor sounds like it NEEDS/WANTS to sit & idle for a few mins @ least get the exhaust up to temp & drop the idle a bit- these trucks sound like garbage @ cold start & I REALLY don’t think truly just jumping cranking the key & immediately dropping it in “D” 2 seconds later is the way to go.

To each his own I suppose lol
 

Aviator150

Active Member
Joined
Jan 28, 2017
Posts
64
Reaction score
76
Warm up... Well, with twin turbos, I'll let mine warm up for a minute or two before getting on it. I'll start it and drive like a granny for the first minute or two, then game on. I just want to make sure the oil has circulated back up to where it's needed.

As for idling. If I'm idling in a parking lot for more than five minutes, I'll just touch the gas and bring the RPM up to 1500 +/- to wake things up every 5-10 minutes.

Deleting the autostop is going to be one of the first mods. I can afford a new Raptor. I could care less about saving a few pennies of gas every day.
 
Top