Leave it running or turn it off?

[73Chevy]

I drive a 1973 Chevy truck with a carbed 350 engine. Every night when I get to my shop to work, I park inside, but I don't have a door opener so first I have to go inside and open the big roll up door.

This takes me about a minute. Usually I shut the truck off while it waits, because I need the keys to open the door.

Should I keep doing it this way? Or should I just let it idle for that minute? Which is better for the engine, and which would use less fuel?

 

[tommygunn]

Turning it off uses less fuel. Either or does basically nothing to your engine in terms of wear. Worst thing is the load on the starter which, is nothing since restarting a warm vehicle is moot.

Do what you wanna do honestly. I'd leave it on but I'm lazy.

 

[dparm]

I'd leave it on because I'm lazy. Who cares about one minute of running it at idle? One minute won't hurt anything even if you do it daily. Heck, I sit at some traffic lights longer than that.

 

[OtisBlkR1]

your only going to wear out your starter sooner, just let it run..

 

[yonyon]

I could believe that the shut off then start and run for a few seconds before shutting off again routine could shave a couple weeks off the life of a battery, hardly enough to matter. More importantly, the next time you start the engine your battery will be at a slightly lower state of charge than if you left the engine running and so your battery should outgas more after the that cold start. This could cause significantly more corrosion of battery cable ends; battery tray; battery clamp. The warm restart should have such a short cranking time (especially considering this is carbed) that additional starter wear isn't significant.

Leaving it running unattended could just possibly leave you with a stolen truck, even in a nice neighborhood. This might not be a real concern if it's got added protection like a policeman's uniform on the passenger seat or a bunch of NRA stickers on the outside.

 

[The_Jeff]

UPS crunched the numbers and they shut things off. Remember your carb is probably a little rich at idle and will foul your oil slightly.

What's a new starter for a SBC go for? Cheap!

Old carb'd stuff starts right up, unlike some FI cars that have to crank four complete revs no matter what per the computer programming.

 

[user52165]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
UPS crunched the numbers and they shut things off. Remember your carb is probably a little rich at idle and will foul your oil slightly.

What's a new starter for a SBC go for? Cheap!

Old carb'd stuff starts right up, unlike some FI cars that have to crank four complete revs no matter what per the computer programming.


Yup, UPS must be buying some very high quality starters. Talked to my UPS driver - he said 200 times a day is not unusual.

 

[lexus114]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
UPS crunched the numbers and they shut things off. Remember your carb is probably a little rich at idle and will foul your oil slightly.

What's a new starter for a SBC go for? Cheap!

Old carb'd stuff starts right up, unlike some FI cars that have to crank four complete revs no matter what per the computer programming.



I know, I miss the click...Vroom day`s.

 

[mechtech2]

I'd let it run.

 

[mechtech2]

I'd let it run.
Put the money you save on a new starter into an automatic garage door opener.

 

[Mr_Joe]

I use 1 minute, as to shut off or leave running.

 

[97f150]

Id just leave it run.

 

[73Chevy]

Yeah, it definately fires up quick on a warm start, I love that.

I have been looking for an excuse to get one of the new "mini" starters for the SBC...not that I need one...lol

 

[antonmnster]

I miss the sound of an old fashioned direct-drive starter. It's just how a starter is supposed to sound.

This situation is six of one, half a dozen of the other. If it's cold, I'd let it run; if comfortable, start and restart it.

 

[bradepb]

I have a situation like this. I am the first one at work in the am and get out to open the gate then pull in.
Also first one home at night and have to get out to open the garage.
Both times I leave it running and have seperate keys on another ring. Two extra starts every day avoided, better chance my starter will work when in the middle of nowhere sometime! Also less wear on the timing chains etc.

 

[JosephHarmon]

Start parking outside and you might save a quart of fuel every 2 weeks.

 

[Loobed]

I would turn it off. Around here if you leave it running unattended for a few seconds, someone will jump in and drive off.

Some guy parked on the street next to a newspaper machine, left his car running and got out to buy a paper. A car pulled up next to his car, and a guy got out of the passenger seat and jump in the guys running car and took off. This was at 5am. It isn't know if this was a planned car theft or a crime of opportunity.

 

[73Chevy]

I wouldn't be too upset if someone stole it, it's well insured.

In reality there is almost always a cop or two in the immediate area, they use the indusrial area where my shop is as some kind of meeting place or something. They're always watching things. I feel like I'm under surveillance....

 

[Shannow]

the old carbed start on the first half turn when hot would have me turning it off.

If it seems like a minute when you are doing something, it's probably more.

Get a helper/passenger to get out and do it while you are the driver/observer, and see which feels more right.

 

[Donald]

Parking a vehicle inside causes more rust from salt than does leaving it outside, assuming the inside is somewhat heated. Rust is a chemical reaction that is based upon temp.

My road vehicles stay outside and my Bobcat is in the garage.