If you start a diesel, work it?

[Sberry]

I put so little hours on my equipment, that it isn't a worry. Something to be mindful of, but not a worry. I'm not ever going to notice the difference between whether I got 4000 hours out of an engine or 6000 on account of my operational habits. I simply won't ever get up there.

This is well worth repeating.

 

[5030]

Only tractor I ever owned that slobbered was an older Massey with a natural aspirated Perkins. Probably because the compression rings were getting shot.

 

[5030]

Wet Stacking can be a problem on older diesels. Even on some of the newer ones. I think (??) that's why many of the OEM Tractors have such high idle speeds. Just a WAG, but it makes sense. You can't get a straight answer from Dealers because -- They don't really know. I hate it.

I would tell you to keep an eye on your oil level. If it starts to 'grow', change it out even if it's a little on the too soon side. You can also look at your tailpipe and check to see if there's unburnt fuel dripping out of it or coating the inside of it. If so, change your operating habits and change the oil often.

In fact, that's why some diesels had such short OCI's (Oil Change Interval) back in the day. Because it got contaminated. Not so much anymore on Trucks.
(I am not a believer in changing oil too often. It does more harm than good)

I think they've got much of the problem tamed these days, but it helps to know what to look for

I change my lube oil when Blackstone tells me it's time.

 

[DieselBound]

My only concern is allowing adequate time for the turbo charger to cool down before shutting it off. I usually idle it for 5 minutes prior to shut down. Must be doing something right, never had a turbo charger issue from coking the bearings in 6000 hours.

That's a good point!

I usually cover cool-down time as I park the tractor: back the throttle off and maneuver into parking spot (and maybe another minute at idle as I switch off cab fan and radio).

Today's turbos, in conjunction with today's oils, are quite robust. As long as you're not going from high, prolonged boost to 0 rpm they're likely going to be fine.

 

[DieselBound]

Wet Stacking can be a problem on older diesels. Even on some of the newer ones. I think (??) that's why many of the OEM Tractors have such high idle speeds. Just a WAG, but it makes sense. You can't get a straight answer from Dealers because -- They don't really know. I hate it.

I would tell you to keep an eye on your oil level. If it starts to 'grow', change it out even if it's a little on the too soon side. You can also look at your tailpipe and check to see if there's unburnt fuel dripping out of it or coating the inside of it. If so, change your operating habits and change the oil often.

In fact, that's why some diesels had such short OCI's (Oil Change Interval) back in the day. Because it got contaminated. Not so much anymore on Trucks.
(I am not a believer in changing oil too often. It does more harm than good)

I think they've got much of the problem tamed these days, but it helps to know what to look for

Prolonged low rpm operation isn't good.

Higher idle speeds seem to be found in smaller engines. V8 Duramax engines idle around 800 rpm. My 3cyl 24hp Yanmar (UTV) idles at around 1,300 rpm. Mass and fueling response (hitting throttle and not falling down) likely being the big determinants.

OCIs were more frequent because oils weren't as good as today's: it's an issue with the additives, the ones today can hold up under a lot more stresses*. Engine tolerances are also a lot better, which results in less blow-by into the crank case (and oil): just the nature of diesels anyway; primarily, though, when cold, before things expand (which is why getting engines up on load to get them warmed up quickly is the right approach [though, with turbos, I'll keep it under the levels of pushing any significant turbo boost until the thermostat is open]).

*In 2000 VW spec'd 10k mile OCIs for their TDI engines. With newer oils this can be vastly exceeded: I know of one person who ran 17k miles; oil analysis said that it was run just a little long, that 15k miles might be the limit.

Fuel dripping out of the exhaust is a sign of problematic fueling. Perhaps continually running a diesel at idle might produce this result, but the main reason would be problems with injectors. I don't think you could get this scenario in a CR engine as they, along with their computerized controls, are miles better at optimizing fuel burn (which is why today's diesels can produce such astronomical power): but, as with the older diesels, over-fueling due to bad injectors and such can also happen (DPFs would tend to reduce any such raw fuel from passing through to the rest of the exhaust system; tell-tale sign is frequent regens when you don't belieive they should be happening- prolong this and your DPF is going to suffer). All said, things take on different characteristics when they're vastly worn (more than just fuel system issues- valves, pistons and rings).

 

[Sberry]

Just dont drive with the choke on.

 

[SmallChange]

This is essentially the same question but asked a different way: If you do not need engine power for more than X minutes you should shut it down, but for less than X minutes you should leave it running. What is X?

And, should you leave the engine running at speed, or slow to the minimum engine speed, or what?