An MD-82 flight crew declared an emergency and proceeded directly to their destination when the left engine oil quantity approached zero and the oil temperature climbed to just below the red line.

Narrative

Scanning the instrument panel I noticed the left engine oil quantity was depleted. Engine oil pressure was reading around 20 to 25 PSI and the oil temperature was just below the red line of 165 degrees. The oil pressure light was not on. An emergency was declared with the Center and a descent to a lower altitude and direct to our destination was requested and given. The Oil Quantity Decreasing or Increasing QRH procedure was accomplished during the descent. The flight attendants and passengers were then notified of the problem; the landing briefing and before landing check list were accomplished after the notification and landing occurred shortly thereafter. The engine was left running with oil pressure at 20 to 25 PSI and oil pressure light extinguished for the remainder of the flight (approximately 10 minutes). An uneventful landing was made and after stopping; the engine was shutdown. Emergency crews inspected the engine nacelle and followed the aircraft to the gate where passengers were deplaned via the jetbridge.