Long term idleing

[Bigskyroadglide]

Yesterday, while attempting to travel from Minneapolis to Iowa along interstate 35 and state route 218 i was stopped for 9 hours due to snow drifts across the road. My 2011 ram with 109K on the clock had to idle the entire time waiting for the DOT/national guard to clear the road. My ram was sitting there with a GMC Sierra, a Ford FX4 eco boost and a chevy z71.

During the entire 9 hour period of 50 to 60 mph winds,blowing snow, 3 to 5 foot drifts and sub zero temps , my ram just sat there happily idleing at 600 RPM. Oil temp of 169, idle oil psi of 45, engine temp of 195 trans temp of 78.

On occasion, approx every 3 hours I had to exit the truck to clear ice from the tailpipes but nothing more.

When the snow plows arrived. I executed a 3 point turn and drove away. Never an issue no worries.

I noticed the two GM products faired similarly however the Ford ended up not fairing as well. Obviously that type of idle time must have had some impact as he was not moving went the road was cleared.

No message here, just very happy with my Ram's performance and overall toughness in the situation.

Of course, I m certain the redline 5w30 helped.

My 5.7 may blow up tomorrow, but it performed well yesterday.

 

[Ratket]

Na- I idled the living **** outta my 14 6.4 2500... I’m talking to the point of my idle hours where almost double my drive hours at one point. It will be fine

 

[Bigskyroadglide]

I agree, I'm at 2700 plus hours, probably less than 15% of that is idle time.

With all the reported cam and lifter issues I just wanted to report 9 hours worth of idleing had no apparent impact.

However I did note, never saw idle oil pressure less than 45. Some have reported 30s and high twenties.

I think the moderate oil temp, connected with low engine speed and the 5w30 redline kept that number higher.

 

[16RamHemi]

from what i have learned from the knowledgable minds on here, being high wear engines and their cam/lifter history, it is not good to idle alot. especially the low rpm idle. something about pressure being too low. it was suggested by many if one were to get a tune, to have the tuner bump the low idle up. i dont know the specifics on all of this, just passing on the little info i have.

 

[indept]

Hopefully no issue with yours as it was just 9 hours AND you had 5w30 redline. Recently when my truck was in for a recall I asked the service manager about cam lifter issues and he said no real problem except in police vehicles with the 5.7L. He said it's being blamed on VERY high idle time. My impression was it was in 1000s of hours.