Revs On Cold Startup

[ClutchBurndout-:(]

cheers ladies

[DogKnight]

Up until now ive been going out in the morning, setting the turbo timer to 9 minutes and letting the car warm up while I finished getting ready. I still wouldnt drive it hard when I left, but it allowed the engine temp to warm up a bit and allowed windows to de-mist if needed

I mainly notice my clutch bites really hard or isn't as smooth if I dont warm up the car first. Obviously, this is more of a case in winter, where it makes little difference in summer.

While this isn't a complete solution for warming the car up and I still drive it slowly to begin with until engine temp is right where it should be, is this actually bad for my car? Ive been doing this for over a year now almost daily. What problems would it cause if its bad?

[blind_elk]

Which all goes to prove that the engine won't warm up at idle, even after 9 minutes.

The problem is that when tye engine is cold, the ECU dumps a load of fuel in to keep the engine running. At idle, the spark plugs aren't at optimum temperature, so the spark isn't as good, and the fuel doesn't burn fully. The excess fuel washes oil from the cylinder walls, and may dilute the oil, thus reducing its lubricating ability.

You would all be aware that taxis run forever without an engine faulure. The reason is that basically the engine never gets cold. The greatest amount of damage is done to an engine while it is cold. So forget what Gillie and his old man say and do - just get in, turn on, and go.

There is another thread that discusses the pros and cons (mostly cons) of letting the engine idle to warm it up. The main point I can make here is that if you are warming up by idling, you are burning fuel but going nowhere. No wonder you have shite fuel economy!

[DogKnight]

Thanks for the feedback. Think ill make some changes.

[llama_au]

Interesting, I've always warmed up my cars letting them idle for a few mins for a different reason. All the Auto's I've driven seem to shift smoother once the transmission oil has a bit of temperature in it. I've got a fairly expensive Auto tranny in the Pulsar so I give it a bit of respect.

[MP_R33]

Sorry resurrect an old thread.

Although most of you say its better to start the car up leave it for a bit and then drive away not leaving it to idle in excess of 5 mins.

My question being how long do you let it idle before you take off?

Dezz stated he lets his idle for 30 seconds but does this very in different weather? eg 30 seconds for normal weather and 1 minute for cold weather?

Just an interesting topic

[dezz]

I generally give it 30 seconds or so (I don't time with a stop watch...) then drive off very slowly....Idling is not good for the car and isn't warming up anything except the engine

[MP_R33]

is it the same for both a hot summer day and a cold winters morning? or..

[(OO)SKYLINE(OO)]

On a cold day I turn the car on and let it sit for about 2-3mins just to let the oil anf other fluids cycle then drive off boost for about 5 mins to warm everything up then you can hit boost.

Summer days I still let it sit for abit even tho the atmos temps are higher, the car still needs to warm up.

[krzysiu]

Only fluids that would warm up are your oil and water if your car is just sitting there. I have never let my car sit there idleing from a cold start for more than 30 seconds. I just jump in, turn on the engine, put on seat belt, tune in radio/cd and then start driving.

Things such as your gearbox and diff oil would still be cold, so in essence all warming up your car is the morning does is cause more wear to the engine than it should and burn petrol for no reason.

[htial]

I've always just turned the key... ...Buzz the electric gate (which takes about a min to open)... ...Belt on... ...and off I go...

In winter I find that the heater will tell me when the car has warmed up... ...I turn it on and it stays on 1 fan until the system heats up and then it blasts on 4 fans... ...Usually by then I'm out onto the Hwy on my way to work...