To Idle or Not to Idle? If So, How Long?

[Ryan Wright]

My owner's manual for the 8V92 said something about "Don't idle; turn
off the engine when not driving as it wastes fuel." I adhere to it,
but I do allow a brief cool down period to get the oil temp around 200
before shutting down. That normally takes less than a couple of
minutes.

During normal city driving my oil temp stays around 200 degrees. It
runs 215-230 degrees or so on the open freeway, especially climbing a
grade. I high idle the engine after stopping if the oil temperature is
much above 200, and turn things off around 200 give or take a few
degrees. Note that this only occurs RIGHT after pulling off the
freeway and stopping, such as a rest area. If I have to drive through
town a bit, or around a parking lot, etc, by the time I get parked the
temp has already come down and I just shut the engine off without
waiting.

However, in any case there should be no need to high idle for more
than a few minutes. If I'm just taking a quick break - run to the
bathroom and grab a drink, then get back on the road - I leave the
engine running. If I'm going to be 10-15 minutes or more, I shut it
down once oil temp is around 200.

-Ryan
'86 PT-40 8V92

On Wed, Oct 29, 2008 at 4:08 AM, Jack and Liz Pearce
wrote:
> Howdy, Y'all.
> Puleeze settle this "discussion" that Jack and I are having.
>
> Question #1:
> Jack says the normal oil temperature is 230 degrees. Jack was told toturn
> the engine off after the oil temp gets down to 200 degrees. Thenone can turn
> off the engine without damaging the turbocharger. Is thistrue for our 8v92?
>
> Question #2:
> When we stop at a rest area to have lunch or for Jack to rest, I wantto turn
> off the engine and not burn that expensive diesel. What doesthe oil temp
> have to be, before we turn off the engine?
>
> TIA,
> Liz
>
> __________________
> Regards,
>
> Jack and Liz Pearce
>
> Fulltiming in a 1993 WLWB
> Summering in Buena Vista, CO
>