Warm Up?

[macorti]

G Day,

I was wondering for how long you guys warm up your car from a cold start and why. I heard that you have to warm it up for a minute or 1.5 min, but I don't know what is the recommendation from the factory, do you guys know it?

This is for a TD42, I don't know if theres is any difference in the warm up time between engine sizes.

[canuck]

The length of warm-up really depends on how cold it is outside. Here in Canada, when it is cold (below 0 C) we pug in our coolant heaters to shorten the warm-up time. Some guys also have oil pan heaters or in-line oil heaters fitted. From say 0-10 C, I let her warm-up about 5-10 minutes on the first drive. And then I don't push her until after about 20-30 minute of driving. At summer temps, I let her warm-up for about 3-5 minutes. There are a couple reasons for warming up. One is to do with getting better combustion. You may have noticed that a cold diesel will blow black smoke as it is not burning all the fuel. If you push a cold diesel not only will you get black smoke but you will risk piston wall glazing and premature oil thickening. The other reason you want it to warm up is to increase the fluidity of your oil to ensure good lubrication. A lot of people will not run their diesel hard until it has been run for about 30 minutes. Make sure your thermostat is working right. I know in Auss you guys are most concerned that your thermostat opens up. However, it is important that your thermostat stay closed until the proper temp is reached.

[slowLux]

as stated it depends on the weather, but usually i warm it up for 5 minutes solid, about half that time with it revving just a bit.

[macorti]

Well talking about me I leave in Costa Rica so I think that I don't have to warm it up that much time right?

I heard that leave running the engine in "RALENTI", is not good for the engine's life, what do you guys think about this?

[canuck]

I have never heard of problems letting a diesel idle unless it never gets a real chance to rev out for a bit. If your oil pump is not working right and your not getting enough oil pressure at idle - then that would be a problem. In real cold climates thats all people do - let them idle to keep them warm - unless they have a diesel fired coolant heater and/or oil heater. Some trucks up in northen Canada can often be running 24 hours a day. Even down south you will find truckers who leave there rigs running during the winter while they get some shut-eye in the sleeper. The only big problem with letting her idle in most places is the extra pollution and noise from an idling diesel engine. As slowlux says, let her idle for 3-5 minutes to warm up before making her work.

[wrksux]

i try to let her warm up for 5-10 mins in the morning. i useually start her and go eat my brecky then she is warm enough

[62WOOLLYBUGGER]

My dad has been a diesel mechanic for over 50 years (70 next year & still won't retire) says not to warm up a motor by letting it sit at idle, as it is running colder for longer. He says its best to drive it gently to get it up to normal running temp' A.S.A.P. without flogging it.

[RoldIT]

Start it, drive it ... just don't flog it till the gauge is up to temp, as stated above.

[Cossie]

Start it, drive it ... just don't flog it till the gauge is up to temp, as stated above.

+1

[AJS]

+ 2. I let it idle till the oil pressure has come up on the gauge first.

[macorti]

What 62WOOLLYBUGGER said is something that I just heard as well, what I do in my case is to let her warm up during 2 or 3 min and drive it gently, until the temp gauge is at 1/4.

[tweak'e]

Start it, drive it ... just don't flog it till the gauge is up to temp, as stated above.

+3

whats worse, litting it sit ildeing for a long time or a gently drive for a short time ?

they warm up far quicker driving them and you don't waste fuel.

[canuck]

If it is -20 C or below outside, they don't warm up driving them unless you block the rad with a board. Like I said in an earlier post, if you want to by-pass a idling warm-up (even 3-5 minutes for you guys in warm climates), then get an electric or diesel oil and coolant heater and set it to fire up at least 30 - 60 min before planning to drive. The circulating ones with their own pumps are the best.

[MyGQ]

list on the NSW Central cost

I start my diesel and drive, no warm up, but until i get a reading on the coolant temp guage, it doesn't get reved too much.

[j-top paj]

i do mine depending on how cold it is...
i usually start it and then open/close the gate etc... then take off slowly. i dont really rev it until the gauge gets to normal operating temp

[stool]

Start it than drive away like a batt out of hell

[jav]

Start it than drive away like a batt out of hell

my old mk turbo diesel got driven like that all it's life sold it with 350000km and was still going strong.