Engine Idling; Stopping The Engine; Operating The Engine; Avoid Overheating The Engine - Dodge D250 1990 Service Manual

Lubrication and Maintenance
DODGE Turbo Diesel
Operating Instructions
Page OB-9
Engine Idling
Avoid prolonged idling for more than 10 minutes. Long periods of idling may be harmful to your engine because
combustion chamber temperatures can drop so low that the fuel may not burn completely. Incomplete combustion
allows carbon and varnish to form on piston rings and injector nozzles. Also, the unburned fuel can enter the
crankcase, diluting the lubricating oil and causing rapid wear to the engine.
Stopping the Engine
Idle the engine a few minutes before routine shutdown. After full load operation, idle the engine 3 to 5 minutes
before shutting it down. This idle period will allow the lubricating oil and coolant to carry excess heat away from the
combustion chamber, bearings and internal components. This is especially important for turbocharged engines, like
your Turbo Ram.
Operating the Engine
Avoid overheating the engine
The temperature of the coolant (a mixture of 50% ethylene-glycol and 50% water) must not exceed 110°C [230°F]
with a 103 kPa [15 psi] radiator cap.
Avoid low coolant temperature operation
Continual operation at low coolant temperature below 60°C
[140°F] can be harmful to the engine. Low coolant temperature
can cause incomplete combustion which allows carbon and
varnish to form on piston rings and injector nozzles. Also, the
unburned fuel can enter the crankcase, diluting the lubricating
oil and causing rapid wear to the engine.
Do not operate the engine with low oil pressure
When the engine is at normal operating temperature, the
minimum oil pressures required are:
- Idle 700 to 800 RPM 69 kPa [10 PSI]
« Full speed and load 207 kPa [30 PSI]
- Turn on dash light 41 kPa [6 PSI]
Full Speed/