pmsmechanic
Elite Member
- Joined
- Dec 6, 2013
- Messages
- 4,209
- Location
- Southern Alberta, Canada
- Tractor
- 4410 and F-935 John Deere, MF 245
Thanks. Yeah, I guess when I said "idle", I was more referring to low-rpm in general. But it has to warm up, so I'll just try to do so as quickly as possible. From what I've read, you want about 10-15 hrs of varying rpm light-duty use, then work it hard for another 10-15hrs. Does that sound right? I gotta find some way to work it hard here in the winter...guess I could hook a couple of heavy logs to it and drag them around.
And I could have been more specific too. The problem with idling is that the engine doesn't get warm enough to burn all of the fuel. It doesn't matter if you are at 800 or 1300 rpm. A fuel droplet burns off in layers. If the engine is too cold the last layers don't burn. They end up in the oil. Not good because fuel is not a lubricant. This is true for both gas and diesel. That's why I recommended a garbage bag in front of the radiator.
One winter we had a really cold winter. I worked my motor with the snow blower but come rototiller time in spring I was amazed at the garbage that came out of the exhaust. It was condensed diesel fuel that hadn't burnt and it wasn't just a little bit either. So now if it's cold when blowing snow the tractor gets a garbage bag over the radiator screen. I watch the temp gauge and fold the plastic bag just enough to keep the engine cooled.