diesel left running - Page 2

tx-lawman · 07-09-2006, 11:00 AM

Ohh, and by the way - Overland is correct, it is illegal in Texas to leave your vehicle unattended without killing the engine and removing the key from the ignition. I would check the laws in your state before you do it.

The fleet I referenced above is a company I work with, and the crews are with the trucks the entire time.

Troy Marrs
95 Airstream LY 33

**CanoeStream** · 07-09-2006, 11:25 AM

Welcome to the Forums Troy! That is a very reassuring answer. In the words of the Texas Troubador, "Thanks! Thanks a lot!"

Davydd · 07-09-2006, 11:59 AM

I haven't run the roof top air conditioner other than when hooked to 30 amp electrical or off the propane generator. I don't see much of a reason to run the diesel while shopping or lunch, etc. The engine air conditioner works just fine once underway again even in 100 degree weather. I have run the propane generator for up to 3 hours so far with no problem if that is a desire. The more you run it the better off you are because you should run it at least once per month for at least 2 hours says the manual. As far as I know all Sprinter conversion vans except the Westfalia use the same Onan.

My fridge is the biggest concern. Underway we run DC, stopped with no electrical hookup we run propane and with electrical hookup we run AC. For short stops we leave it on DC. While traveling the house battery pretty much keeps it's charge. Gotta keep that beer cold.

Europe and England must have looser towing regs. I was amazed to see what we consider compact cars pulling trailers in England. The most popular tower seemed to the the VW Passat but I suspect they were diesels. I don't see why a Sprinter couldn't pull a Bambi. It certainly has the torque. There would be no reason to pull a toad (car) in my opinion since you can park anywhere a car can park except in a parking garage. Now that many codes and ordinances require the main level of a parking garage capable of access by ambulances and mobility vans you could even luck out in the newer parking garages.

I think I just broke my 666 evil devil hex message count.

lewster · 07-09-2006, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davydd

Onan.
I don't see why a Sprinter couldn't pull a Bambi. It certainly has the torque. .

This Sprinter does very well pulling it's 19CCD around the country, and with a van weight of around 8000lb loaded.

(see pic at left)

volvophile · 07-10-2006, 02:27 AM

Its illegal in Colorado to leave a running vehicle unattened. Something about "undesirables" hanging out in apartment complex parking lots in the winter and waiting for someone to warm up thier car....

I installed a Cool Start remote starter in my Ford PSD. It has a setting to let the engine run for a set time, or indefinatly without the key in the ignition.
If the brake pedal is pressed (neccisary to take it out of park) it kills the engine.

BTW, the remotes are not recomended for diesels with manual transmissions.
The starter motors have enough torqe to start the engine if left in first gear.

There are issues with leaving a PSD running at low idle for long periods of time. One if which is the top of the cylinders getting hotter than the bottom of the cylinders. There are mods to increase your idle speed to around 1100 or so to aleviate that problem.

Cheers,

carnegie1935 · 07-10-2006, 07:36 AM

Here is another example of state laws that limit your freedom of choice.

I'm not saying that you should leave your motor running un attended.
You should have the choice do to so at your oun risk (motor damage or theft) If our state lawmakers worked as hard on important issues as on these nit-picking things the Texas legistature would not have had 3 sessions to adopt a school finance plan. New Jersey would not have to shut down the govt, waiting on a budget.

my $.02

Kay

tx-lawman · 07-10-2006, 02:38 PM

Many laws are much like the caution and warning stickers on the products we use. They exist to keep stupid people safe from harm. In my line of work, I get to meet most of the stupid people in my area... sometimes I get to meet the very stupid people over and over again.

I don't know what the intent of the law makers was when they wrote the law about not leaving your engine running, however I do have a couple of GOOD things about the law.

1) Saves alot of vehicles from being stolen, which in turn keeps insurance rates down.
2) Gives cops a reason to write a ticket or arrest drug dealers or other scum when we can't figure out what they are really up to - but we know it is something illegal.

OK, so one of the above is just a joke, but since there are too many people out there that can't judge for themselves when it is safe or not to do this, I guess we have to protect them from themselves.

Geophilist · 07-30-2006, 05:25 PM

Sprinter has a high idle option from the factory. Many of these vehicles are used as ambulances in Europe, and they are on idle all of the time.

Steve

BW999 · 01-19-2008, 02:38 PM

It's not good to let diesels run @ low idle. The noise is detonation, flame fronts colliding. I'm to install the constant RPM option, High idle.
Sprinter-Forum
Bo

alann · 06-28-2008, 08:32 PM

I tow my wife's ford Contour sometimes. It is nice to be able to just leave the Interstate at the campsite and go sightseeing. We visit state parks and in many of them moving your van off the site opens it up for someone else to use, even if you leave your other stuff there.

Skater · 06-29-2008, 12:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alann

I tow my wife's ford Contour sometimes.

Woohoo! I tow a '99 Cougar (which is built on the same platform).

But I have an older B-van, not the Mercedes-based one.

(Sorry for the off-topicness.)