joshuabardwell
Elite Member
Diesels run very lean except at the highest power level, which is one reason Diesels produce so little carbon monoxide. The lack of a throttle plate is also why Diesels use so little fuel at idle; they don't have to work to suck air past a throttle plate as do gas engines.
Can you speak a bit more to this? I have noticed that commercial truck drivers and equipment operators often leave their rigs idling, and I used to wonder whether that was pretty inefficient. I have since gotten a hunch that it has something to do with a difference between gas engines and diesel. And now you're supporting that. Often, when I get off my tractor to... I don't know... load something up or hook up a chain or whatever, I'll turn the engine off to save fuel. But it may be a waste of effort if idling is actually using very little fuel. In fact, it may be creating more wear on the starter and engine, constantly starting up all the time.