Diesel Warm-Up -- How Long -- Why?

[OkieDave]

Here's another complication: turbocharged Diesels. I've made it a habit to spend a few minutes at low idle at the beginning and end of the session to let the turbo adjust. I'm not presenting an answer, but asking a question: am I crazy? Seems like I've seen that advice a time or two; what do y'all think about turbochargers?

 

[CurlyDave]

...How long do you/should you let it idle, while you tend to other chores? (I assume it was considered "bad" for the engine to stop and start it often.)...

If I am getting off the tractor, I shut it off.

To me this is a safety issue and I am willing to accept a slight extra amount of wear on the engine and some extra wear on the starter and battery for the additional safety of not having an idling tractor just waiting for some mischief.

 

[TripleR]

Here's another complication: turbocharged Diesels. I've made it a habit to spend a few minutes at low idle at the beginning and end of the session to let the turbo adjust. I'm not presenting an answer, but asking a question: am I crazy? Seems like I've seen that advice a time or two; what do y'all think about turbochargers?

On our 8540, I warm it up at about 1500 and let it cool down at 800 or so for a few minutes before shut down. Most of the time I will just run pretty slow back to the shed for a cool down.

This is our first turbo, so I am relying on the Operator Manual pretty much for everything.

 

[oldballs]

If I am getting off the tractor, I shut it off.

To me this is a safety issue and I am willing to accept a slight extra amount of wear on the engine and some extra wear on the starter and battery for the additional safety of not having an idling tractor just waiting for some mischief.

I'm with CurlyDave....When getting off the tractor (my little BX and Case), I shut it off as a rule. It seems that while out of the seat, something else comes up that just keeps it sitting there idling. Other times i leave it running because you know you'll be right back on....like hooking/adjusting attachments. I don't don't know if I'm safety conscious or just annoyed by the idling.:confused2:

 

[SPYDERLK]

Here's another complication: turbocharged Diesels. I've made it a habit to spend a few minutes at low idle at the beginning and end of the session to let the turbo adjust. I'm not presenting an answer, but asking a question: am I crazy? Seems like I've seen that advice a time or two; what do y'all think about turbochargers?

Low power usage [not idling] for a minute or so at beginning and end should be enuf for the turbo. Use of synthetic oil is better for hot turbo bearings in the case they get shut off hot. I would go for low power use longer at the beginning to warm engine and oil more thoroughly before doing hard work.
larry

 

[Jerry/MT]

Here's another complication: turbocharged Diesels. I've made it a habit to spend a few minutes at low idle at the beginning and end of the session to let the turbo adjust. I'm not presenting an answer, but asking a question: am I crazy? Seems like I've seen that advice a time or two; what do y'all think about turbochargers?

My TD95D owners manual recommends 2 minutes at 1200 rpm after heavy work to prevent rubs in the turbo. In warm weather, I spend a few minutes at ~1000 rpm before moving the TD95D or the Ford 4610. In really cold weather, I use a block heater so again I spend a few minutes at 1000 rm before moving. Diesels run with variable peak gas temps(unlike spark ignition engines, which while not exactly running at contant peak gas temperatires are very close, comparetively speaking) and so will warm quicker running at higher speeds and under some load.
Hydraulic fluid viscosity at cold ambient temperatures in the case of the Ford makes raisng the loader a slow process. The pump is small and with the high viscosity in moves at about 1/4 ft/sec!

 

[Soundguy]

my NH 7610s has a sticker on the dash telling you to do a warm up and cool off period.. etc..

soundguy

 

[CompactTractorFan]

That "No Idling" thing is getting pretty common now...not sure if it's a good idea or just some of the EPA's idiocy.

Think it might be a state law. They even have the signs up at the WaWa's now.

 

[CompactTractorFan]

In spring, summer, and fall, I start my Deere 4210 and let it idle in the barn for 2 or 3 minutes,

JD, I would advise that you move the tractor out of the barn a little bit after you start it so you do not build up Carbon Monoxide in an enclosed space. :thumbsup:

 

[wolc123]

I cant believe no one has mentioned a block heater in 5 pages of posts. In my opinion, that is the most effective way to warm an engine and minimize cold-oil related engine wear. I use my JD 4120 for snowplowing way up North on the Canadian border. If I start it cold without using that block-heater (only did that a couple times), it sounds terrible for the first couple minutes just like the other fellas 4520. After about 45 minutes of bock-heater operation, it starts smoother when it is below zero than it does in mid-summer, and it is ready to go to work immediately. In the (5) minutes some of you folks spend warming up, I can have half my driveway cleared of deep snow. Without a doubt, cold starts are where lots of engine wear and tear occurs for us folks who need to use our machines in cold climates. I use that $50 block heater whenever the temperature is below 50 F and I never waste any time sitting on the seat letting the engine warm up while operating. I also prefer the gear transmission over a hydro for cold-weather operation as it is ready to go immediately no matter how cold it is.