TM says not to idle engine for long periods

[6970]

New to forum and diesels. I have been reading the TM's and it says not to idle engine for extended periods as it will damage engine. I have asked several commercial truck drivers why they leave their engines running, say at truck stops, etc. The best answer I got was " because I don't have to start it again." Also a farm tractor manual said not to idle engine for extended intervals. I was wondering what the harm would be. Thanks for any ideas.

 

[cliffyp]

http://www.steelsoldiers.com/showthread.php?101850-TM-Operation-Manual-question

This thread asked the same question. The consensus was you don't need to worry much about how long it idles.

 

[Scarecrow1]

I remember a thread on here a couple of years ago that if you let a multi fuel idle for long or it would begin to slobber. I try to never let my 250 Cummins run for to long because of the wasted fuel. I can understand the cool down time if you are running a turbo but, never could understand running the non turbo ones for 5 minutes at all. . If your running normal temps then it makes no sense why you don't just hit the switch.