Picked this off a diesel forum:
The purpose for high idle is to avoid a condition called wet stacking. An engine at idle does not create high enough cylinder temps to atomize the entire amount of fuel being injected into each cylinder causing the unburned fuel to mix with, and wash down the oil from the cylinder wall, thus dilluting the engine oil with diesel fuel and causing excessive engine wear. All class 8 and 6 engines have had the ability to raise the idle through the use of the cruise control since their conversion to electronic engine controls, and most manufacurers recomend a minimum of 1,000 rpm for extended or prolonged engine idle periods. On my 06 automatic truck, when the temps are low enough it will idle up to 1000 rpm after 3 minutes at base idle, or I can engage the high idle by pressing the cruise button on then pressing the resume/set side, it will instantly jump to 1,100 rpm, if I continue to hold the resume/set button the engine rpm will continue to rise to 1,500 rpm and stay there until I disengage the cruise with the on/off button, or step on the brake.
