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Baby Grand · 04-05-2008, 11:16 AM

jb - thanks for the lesson in remedial text entry. I'll try Notepad and see if that helps.

Regarding your observations:

"On idling, if it's so good, why do transport companies monitor idle time and reward the driver with the least amount? 'cuz it ain't so good to let them idle.

I'd bet you dollars to donuts that if you go to a truck stop tonight you won't hear the independents running their engines - they are paying for that burbling sound at $4.25 a gal! It didn't used to matter when fuel was $0.35 a gal, but now...."

I think you nailed it - the fuel cost is what the carriers are concerned about and why they reward operators who shut down quickly. I hadn't considered the exhaust gas temperature (EGT)/wet stack problem that several others mentioned, but that's probably a big factor, too.

For my own use, I generally shut down if I don't think I'll be moving anytime in the next 20-30 minutes. I'm with Ray66v and Jeff on not shutting down often. It all comes down to a cost/benefit trade and even at $10/gal I could justify a lot of hours idling vs the cost, ag and waste of my free time in replacing a starter or having to do bottom-end work.

jim

04-05-2008, 11:16 AM	#30 (permalink)
Baby Grand Silver Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Windsor, CT. On the bed of former Glacial Lake Hitchcock. Posts: 220	Re: Idle or shut down? jb - thanks for the lesson in remedial text entry. I'll try Notepad and see if that helps. Regarding your observations: "On idling, if it's so good, why do transport companies monitor idle time and reward the driver with the least amount? 'cuz it ain't so good to let them idle. I'd bet you dollars to donuts that if you go to a truck stop tonight you won't hear the independents running their engines - they are paying for that burbling sound at $4.25 a gal! It didn't used to matter when fuel was $0.35 a gal, but now...." I think you nailed it - the fuel cost is what the carriers are concerned about and why they reward operators who shut down quickly. I hadn't considered the exhaust gas temperature (EGT)/wet stack problem that several others mentioned, but that's probably a big factor, too. For my own use, I generally shut down if I don't think I'll be moving anytime in the next 20-30 minutes. I'm with Ray66v and Jeff on not shutting down often. It all comes down to a cost/benefit trade and even at $10/gal I could justify a lot of hours idling vs the cost, ag and waste of my free time in replacing a starter or having to do bottom-end work. jim __________________ <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Perrussel's Law: There is no job so simple that it cannot be done rong.