last nite i headed up north and got to a small town that i had to fly out of early in the morning. there was nowhere to stay with the hour i got into town at so i had to sleep in my truck. it was a little chillin out, -8 C so i let her idle for about 6 hours. can any damage come of this if done to much? :eek:

Only damage to your wallet :D. this has come up before, its a diesel. i know guys way up north that only trun there trucks off to change the oil in a 7 month time period. they run day and night. come winter mine runs more then i drive it. wont hurt it at all.

sleep in my crewcab in lake tahoe, actually had a great nights sleep, although I puked out the window in the morning:D

thats what i figured. im heard stories about trans damage from this, myth?

ive never heard of any trans damage for lettin her idle.. just keep everything nice and warm .

ya, i figured it was jus a myth. but then last winter i let it run for 9 hours due to cold and nowhere to plug in. i 6 days and 300 miles later the trans went. i was willing to blame it on anythning other then my right foot lol. so after letting it run that time i was a bit scared to last nite

Myth? Check this. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=202078

It is rumored that cold weather idling will cause leaks to the transmission lines. Severe cold weather, plus high idle mode have caused empty torqure converters to burn up in the trans. (because fluid is too viscous to fill them) Search lines leaking or high idle cold

sleep in my crewcab in lake tahoe, actually had a great nights sleep, although I puked out the window in the morning-:t:beerchug: BEEN THERE DONE THAT

Myth? Check this. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=202078

It is rumored that cold weather idling will cause leaks to the transmission lines. Severe cold weather, plus high idle mode have caused empty torqure converters to burn up in the trans. (because fluid is too viscous to fill them) Search lines leaking or high idle cold

see thats what im taking bout, and i have the same leak

I had to sleep in my truck during the summer, it was so hot that I had to sleep with the truck running and AC on. I don't know about anyone else but the back seat of a crew cab isn't the most comfortable.

Its Not Too Bad When You Have Some Company...;)

You don't have a LMM - I think that's the only truck that would have a problem with excessive idling... because of the DPF; and it's not LMM specific, anything DPF wise would help it to soot up.

sleep in my crewcab in lake tahoe, actually had a great nights sleep, although I puked out the window in the morning:D
Wake up thinking about Nobama and gay marriage????????:rolleyes:

Crew cabs arn't that bad. Mine acted as a bed a few times. Either because of the beer or the beer. They are alot better with company

:exactly:Crew cabs arn't that bad. Mine acted as a bed a few times. Either because of the beer or the beer. They are alot better with company

ive slept in mine a few times, I thought it was pretty comfy. just folded both front seats forward and there is tons of room!

It is rumored that cold weather idling will cause leaks to the transmission lines. Severe cold weather, plus high idle mode have caused empty torqure converters to burn up in the trans. (because fluid is too viscous to fill them) Search lines leaking or high idle cold

My lines have been replaced and I'm from Minnesota, so I am aware of the problem. The problem is not idling in the cold weather. The problem is starting a VERY cold engine and letting letting it sit with the High Idle turned on while ALL the fluid is cold. The leak is from the fluid in the cooler lines being thick, raising pressure, and leaking by the seals.

To accelerate warming, the computer locks the torque converter and kicks the idle up to 1000+. The "damage" to the tranny comes when the fluid that gets heated quickly with hydraulic resistance in the converter and it's now warm and too thin to push out the "jello" in the cooler lines. The fluid is now churning and overheats.

As I understand it, the converter is never empty, even when you drain your tranny, which is mostly why you only drain half the fluid when you change the filter and pull the drain plug.

You will only do damage if the fluid is too cold to pump. If everything is warm already, or at least zero or higher, then there will be no risk of damage to the tranny as the fluid is thin enough to be moved through the cooling system.

People will probably point out that your biggest risk with excessive cold weather idling is washing the oil off the cylinder walls with diesel, but I don't think 6 hours once will do that.

I'm not a mechanic, so take my opinion for what you paid for it.

The more it idles the more it soots everything up as well. Thats part of what causes the egr valves and turbos to stick.

I had th egr valve stick after idling mine last winter.

On a second note, Seven Sisters Manitoba? / River Hills, Wow my family is from the area, Clive Schultz Russel Klappert and so on.

My lines have been replaced and I'm from Minnesota, so I am aware of the problem. The problem is not idling in the cold weather. The problem is starting a VERY cold engine and letting letting it sit with the High Idle turned on while ALL the fluid is cold. The leak is from the fluid in the cooler lines being thick, raising pressure, and leaking by the seals.

To accelerate warming, the computer locks the torque converter and kicks the idle up to 1000+. The "damage" to the tranny comes when the fluid that gets heated quickly with hydraulic resistance in the converter and it's now warm and too thin to push out the "jello" in the cooler lines. The fluid is now churning and overheats.

As I understand it, the converter is never empty, even when you drain your tranny, which is mostly why you only drain half the fluid when you change the filter and pull the drain plug.

You will only do damage if the fluid is too cold to pump. If everything is warm already, or at least zero or higher, then there will be no risk of damage to the tranny as the fluid is thin enough to be moved through the cooling system.

People will probably point out that your biggest risk with excessive cold weather idling is washing the oil off the cylinder walls with diesel, but I don't think 6 hours once will do that.

I'm not a mechanic, so take my opinion for what you paid for it.

thats the best way i have ever heard that explained. thank you!

My lines have been replaced and I'm from Minnesota, so I am aware of the problem. The problem is not idling in the cold weather. The problem is starting a VERY cold engine and letting letting it sit with the High Idle turned on while ALL the fluid is cold. The leak is from the fluid in the cooler lines being thick, raising pressure, and leaking by the seals.

To accelerate warming, the computer locks the torque converter and kicks the idle up to 1000+. The "damage" to the tranny comes when the fluid that gets heated quickly with hydraulic resistance in the converter and it's now warm and too thin to push out the "jello" in the cooler lines. The fluid is now churning and overheats.

As I understand it, the converter is never empty, even when you drain your tranny, which is mostly why you only drain half the fluid when you change the filter and pull the drain plug.

You will only do damage if the fluid is too cold to pump. If everything is warm already, or at least zero or higher, then there will be no risk of damage to the tranny as the fluid is thin enough to be moved through the cooling system.

People will probably point out that your biggest risk with excessive cold weather idling is washing the oil off the cylinder walls with diesel, but I don't think 6 hours once will do that.

I'm not a mechanic, so take my opinion for what you paid for it.

Good explanation. Makes Synthetic ATF even more important!

lol yes beer and compnay are always great. cant remember the last time i did it alone, and sober

isnt there a mod to do to make the front deat tilt all the way back?

My lines have been replaced and I'm from Minnesota, so I am aware of the problem. The problem is not idling in the cold weather. The problem is starting a VERY cold engine and letting letting it sit with the High Idle turned on while ALL the fluid is cold. The leak is from the fluid in the cooler lines being thick, raising pressure, and leaking by the seals.

To accelerate warming, the computer locks the torque converter and kicks the idle up to 1000+. The "damage" to the tranny comes when the fluid that gets heated quickly with hydraulic resistance in the converter and it's now warm and too thin to push out the "jello" in the cooler lines. The fluid is now churning and overheats.

As I understand it, the converter is never empty, even when you drain your tranny, which is mostly why you only drain half the fluid when you change the filter and pull the drain plug.

You will only do damage if the fluid is too cold to pump. If everything is warm already, or at least zero or higher, then there will be no risk of damage to the tranny as the fluid is thin enough to be moved through the cooling system.

People will probably point out that your biggest risk with excessive cold weather idling is washing the oil off the cylinder walls with diesel, but I don't think 6 hours once will do that.

I'm not a mechanic, so take my opinion for what you paid for it.

No, it does not lock the TC. If it were to lock, the engine would cease to run very quickly.

see thats what im taking bout, and i have the same leak

You sure you don't just have the leaky LBZ trans lines that everyone else has?

Wake up thinking about Nobama and gay marriage????????:rolleyes:



not really into obama then, probably a combo of liquor and crappy buffet food.

nope, clearly a LLY, clearly leaking. not bad, but leaking

Maybe you should clearly put LLY in your sig LOL :)

My bad for assuming. :eek:

an 8' bed makes a nice spot to crash.... weather permitting...

an 8' bed makes a nice spot to crash.... weather permitting...


i have been wanting to test this theory out with my new cabelas sleeping bag, i would think with the indentations in the bed that it would be a bit uncomfortable

Maybe you should clearly put LLY in your sig LOL :)

My bad for assuming. :eek:

lol i ment clearly as in i checked. not as in it was clearly posted and u didnt see

i have been wanting to test this theory out with my new cabelas sleeping bag, i would think with the indentations in the bed that it would be a bit uncomfortable

"Bedrug" takes care of those indentations and makes a nice liner. See bedrug.com .

lol my stacks would make a nice warm pillow if left running

Myth? Check this. http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=202078

It is rumored that cold weather idling will cause leaks to the transmission lines. Severe cold weather, plus high idle mode have caused empty torqure converters to burn up in the trans. (because fluid is too viscous to fill them) Search lines leaking or high idle cold
i'm sorry i didn't sort threw all 51 pages, so i might have missed this. but the recall/ computer update was done to not let the engine go to high idle untill the trans fluid was warmer slightly due to " extensive cold soak".

basically the problem with too high pressure/ pump starvation was due to the fluid being to thick to turn added rpm after sitting for an extended period of time without being ran. i think once she's up and going it's fine.

here is what i got from chev... is this the concern? http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=122897

stickboy coverd it great too.... but as my link shows... be carefull with an aftermarket heater too cause ALL the fluid might not be heated. after my comp update my truck can run up to 10 minutes before the elevated idle will come up... guess thats the new norm?

i'm sorry i didn't sort threw all 51 pages, so i might have missed this. but the recall/ computer update was done to not let the engine go to high idle untill the trans fluid was warmer slightly due to " extensive cold soak".

basically the problem with too high pressure/ pump starvation was due to the fluid being to thick to turn added rpm after sitting for an extended period of time without being ran. i think once she's up and going it's fine.

here is what i got from chev... is this the concern? http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=122897

stickboy coverd it great too.... but as my link shows... be carefull with an aftermarket heater too cause ALL the fluid might not be heated. after my comp update my truck can run up to 10 minutes before the elevated idle will come up... guess thats the new norm?

i had my trans replaced removed and reinstalled at a GM shop in aug, what are the olds of it being done? mine only takes a min for the high idle to kick in, but i guess it hasnt been any colder then -10C here yet

i'm sorry i didn't sort threw all 51 pages, so i might have missed this. but the recall/ computer update was done to not let the engine go to high idle untill the trans fluid was warmer slightly due to " extensive cold soak".

basically the problem with too high pressure/ pump starvation was due to the fluid being to thick to turn added rpm after sitting for an extended period of time without being ran. i think once she's up and going it's fine.

here is what i got from chev... is this the concern? http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=122897

stickboy coverd it great too.... but as my link shows... be carefull with an aftermarket heater too cause ALL the fluid might not be heated. after my comp update my truck can run up to 10 minutes before the elevated idle will come up... guess thats the new norm?


I have noticed my van high idle doesn't kick in right away, waits a couple minutes, not 10 but a couple. haven't noticed the truck in a while.


I keep a self-inflating matteres pad in the back seat, and in the winter a 0 degree sleeping bag. pretty comfy and plenty warm, i've crawled in that bag and overslept a few times. got delayed on a trip with the wife and 3 dogs once last winter. couldnt find a hotel that would take dogs. that was a bit cramped

I have noticed my van high idle doesn't kick in right away, waits a couple minutes, not 10 but a couple. haven't noticed the truck in a while.


I keep a self-inflating matteres pad in the back seat, and in the winter a 0 degree sleeping bag. pretty comfy and plenty warm, i've crawled in that bag and overslept a few times. got delayed on a trip with the wife and 3 dogs once last winter. couldnt find a hotel that would take dogs. that was a bit cramped

lol good times

i'm sorry i didn't sort threw all 51 pages, so i might have missed this. but the recall/ computer update was done to not let the engine go to high idle untill the trans fluid was warmer slightly due to " extensive cold soak".

basically the problem with too high pressure/ pump starvation was due to the fluid being to thick to turn added rpm after sitting for an extended period of time without being ran. i think once she's up and going it's fine.

here is what i got from chev... is this the concern? http://www.dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=122897

stickboy coverd it great too.... but as my link shows... be carefull with an aftermarket heater too cause ALL the fluid might not be heated. after my comp update my truck can run up to 10 minutes before the elevated idle will come up... guess thats the new norm?
Yup, you found it. Main reason I posted about that was because most of the high idle, torque converter burn ups I saw were in Canada where it gets real cold like countryredneck.

i blew my trans 150kms after letting it high idle for 7ish hours in -43c winds. but it was already warm so the fluid shouldnt have been thick?

lol i ment clearly as in i checked. not as in it was clearly posted and u didnt see

I was just playing...just wanted to clarify.

No, it does not lock the TC. If it were to lock, the engine would cease to run very quickly.

Okay, so they lock a gear clutch and force the clutch to slip.

"Engage TCC" and "Lock TCC" was mis-written on the source I had read.

In any case, they force there to be slip in the Torque Converter to generate heat.

sleep in my crewcab in lake tahoe, actually had a great nights sleep, although I puked out the window in the morning:D

Perhaps a better looking room mate would cure your morning problems??
Or start waking up while it's still dark??

who cares bout possible dammage, at least your but was warm:D

who cares bout possible dammage, at least your but was warm:D

:exactly::help:

I had to sleep in my truck during the summer, it was so hot that I had to sleep with the truck running and AC on. I don't know about anyone else but the back seat of a crew cab isn't the most comfortable.


I only sleep on there during long drives when I'm too tired to keep going, but I get a great afternoon's sleep. The idling truck puts me right out.

I know guys this is a little off topic, and my truck does not have the famed leaky lines, but what did was go into my tune with EFI and raise the min elevated idle ect temp to 45 F and now it will idle for about 5 mins and then go to the elevated idle. I did this for another reason but it worked!!!

Excessive idling is not ideal for today's diesel engines and many heavy duty mfgs have idle thresholds which if exceded, is grounds for warranty denial.

My manual says letting it idle in DRIVE will cause overheating. Didn't say anything about idling in PARK. (2003 GMC Duramax/Allison.)

From what I've heard contrary to popular belief, its not good on diesel motors to idle for long periods of time. What happens is that after idling for a while, 45 minutes or more, the combustion temps inside the cylinders start to drop which keeps all of the full from burning completly. This umburnt fuel then starts to wash off some of the oil along cylinder walls which is obviously not good for rings etc. I believe it even states in the user manual to not let the vehicle idle for more than 30 mins or so. The transmission is a different story. Look into getting it reflashed. Truckers up north leave their motors running because they have to. Those big motors are alot harder to start than a dmax in really cold weather. I'd say bottom line is cold is not good for any motor. Keep them plugged up or in a garage as much as possible when the temps go -.

^^right and when the temps drop, so does combustion chamber pressure. That pressure is what keeps the rings sealing. Without that pressure soot build up in the ring lands and more blow by is allowed.

My manual says letting it idle in DRIVE will cause overheating. Didn't say anything about idling in PARK. (2003 GMC Duramax/Allison.)

When in drive and idling, you have your idle RPM of slip in the torque converter. The hydraulic slip causes heat to build up in your transmission. (This is also responsible for the fast warm up in High idle in the newer ones). In the summer, yeah, you could probably over heat it if you don't watch your gauge.

Here in MN when it's -19f....I have a digital trans temp gauge, and I can watch my trans temp drop at a stop light when I'm idling in gear, so I'm not worried about idling in gear here.

Creeping really slow at 5mph or stopped in traffic in 100 degree's though....I can watch my trans temp gauge climb fast.