Can it hurt to idle for a really long time?

The Coleman PowerMate PMF8360 is an electric ceramic heater that works on

Reply to
Joseph A. Zupko
Loading thread data ...

|> I work in a hotel and we never close. When there is a snowstorm I'm |> expected to stay at the hotel for the duration so I can work my |> shifts. But, I have 5 dogs. They can stay in the hotel room when I'm |> in there but they will bark if I leave them in the room while I'm |> working. I can't leave them home and get a pet sitter because I can't |> expect her to drive in the snow if I can't get around myself. |>

|> I have an Eagle Summit Wagon with the back seat out. I fill it with |> pads and blankets and it is comfortable for the dogs. They have toys |> and water. I even spent the night in there with them once |> (non-snow-related) and there was room for all of us. I have felt ok |> about leaving them in there when it is in the low 30s because they all |> lay together and keep warm and the car is not huge so their body heat |> stays with them. It's not perfect but it's not great either. But, |> this has been a really cold winter and I just can't do that now. |> During this last snow I left the car running for the whole 8-hour |> shift with the heat on. Everything seems ok and I only burned about 3 |> gallons of gas, but am I hurting the car? My car tends to burn some |> oil but I checked on that during the night. |>

|> If I'm doing damage, how bad is it? I am really low on options.

If it ran that long without damage or fouling a plug, i'd say you are good. The only other thing that comes to mind is if snow were to pile up in front blocking the radiator it could overheat. Can you park in sight of the office? Is the exhaust system in perfect shape? Park so the tailpipe exits on the downwind side of the car. Leave a window slightly cracked.

Rex in Fort Worth

Reply to
Rex B

My old datsun deisle pickup was the happiest while idling all night on a half gallon.

Reply to
David Askari

|My old datsun deisle pickup was the happiest while idling all night on |a half gallon.

Diesels are different. Rex in Fort Worth

Reply to
Rex B

they are and I remember after a while I could not get heat even when the radiater was blocked. This was during a blizzard on i 70 or 80 in kasas which I had oppted to pull over for the night. I heard a candle is enough to save your life if minor details like frostbite and such are no longer the main issue. Reminds me of using a space heater which is just enough to stop your shaking.

Reply to
David Askari

MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.