I think it's good for the engine -- especially if you're gonna take the car for a short trip. My Buick 3800 runs so cool that if I didn't give it a full warm-up, it would never get to operating temperature during this Winter. When I first start the engine up, the water temperature is 40 F and the oil pressure is 62 psi. The computer won't take the engine off of high idle until the water temp gets up to 198 F. That tells me the computer thinks the engine's full operating temperature is 198 F. It's only 1.8 miles from the house to the supermarket. If I drove the car cold turkey like you guys want me too, the water temp would never get over 140 F from the house to the store and back. Right now the outside air temp is 47 F and the water temp pulling into the garage was 185 F. When that 3800 catches some cold air, it cools down real fast. Before I got to the store, the water temp went from 200 F to 165 F in less than 1.8 miles.
The Healthy Long Winter Warm-Up
- Thread starter Merkava_4
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OVERKILL
$100 Site Donor 2021
LOL at 47F being "winter"
Originally Posted By: Shannow
Thinking it doesn't make it so, at least not in real life.
I think it's good for the engine by burning off all that excess moisture that could cause the oil to sludge up.
Thinking it doesn't make it so, at least not in real life.
I think it's good for the engine by burning off all that excess moisture that could cause the oil to sludge up.
Well you'd be better off putting a dyno in the garage, and brining it up to 30mph or thereabouts...both of those things would happen sooner.
Or leave it in "2" while you do your chores. Use less fuel, and be better for both conditions.
Or leave it in "2" while you do your chores. Use less fuel, and be better for both conditions.
Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
LOL at 47F being "winter"
That's at 9:00 O'Clock at night. It got as low as 31 F in the morning last week.
LOL at 47F being "winter"
That's at 9:00 O'Clock at night. It got as low as 31 F in the morning last week.
OVERKILL
$100 Site Donor 2021
Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
LOL at 47F being "winter"
That's at 9:00 O'Clock at night. It got as low as 31 F in the morning last week.
You actually hit FREEZING? WOW! LMAO!!!
Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
LOL at 47F being "winter"
That's at 9:00 O'Clock at night. It got as low as 31 F in the morning last week.
You actually hit FREEZING? WOW! LMAO!!!
Originally Posted By: Shannow
Is the thermostat working ?
It works fine. It's always been a cool running engine. That aluminum radiator really throws off the heat.
Is the thermostat working ?
It works fine. It's always been a cool running engine. That aluminum radiator really throws off the heat.
If the coolant temp drops from 200 to 165 degrees while driving in ambient air that's 47F I would be concerned about the thermostat. Coolant temp shouldn't drop much beneath the temperature it opens at which I'm assuming is at least 195 F.
Edit:
Originally Posted By: Shannow
Is the thermostat working ?
Beat me to it.
Edit:
Originally Posted By: Shannow
Is the thermostat working ?
Beat me to it.
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Originally Posted By: Fsharp
If the coolant temp drops from 200 to 165 degrees while driving in ambient air that's 47F I would be concerned about the thermostat. Coolant temp shouldn't drop much beneath the temperature it opens at which I'm assuming is at least 195 F.
Are you saying you think the thermostat is stuck open, or closed ?
If the coolant temp drops from 200 to 165 degrees while driving in ambient air that's 47F I would be concerned about the thermostat. Coolant temp shouldn't drop much beneath the temperature it opens at which I'm assuming is at least 195 F.
Are you saying you think the thermostat is stuck open, or closed ?
I let my cars warm up a bit before driving. The old fords like to warm up longer but even the newer cars I let idle until they get about 1000rpm and the temp comes up a bit.
Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
LOL at 47F being "winter"
That's at 9:00 O'Clock at night. It got as low as 31 F in the morning last week.
I started my CV this evening and the coolant temp was 10F.
I let it idle for 20 seconds or so and then drove it gently.
Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
Originally Posted By: Fsharp
If the coolant temp drops from 200 to 165 degrees while driving in ambient air that's 47F I would be concerned about the thermostat. Coolant temp shouldn't drop much beneath the temperature it opens at which I'm assuming is at least 195 F.
Are you saying you think the thermostat is stuck open, or closed ?
Yeah, its hanging open. Even below freezing my car will maintain at least 188F while driving 60mph+. I regularly replace termostats for behavior like yours.
Originally Posted By: OVERKILL
LOL at 47F being "winter"
That's at 9:00 O'Clock at night. It got as low as 31 F in the morning last week.
I started my CV this evening and the coolant temp was 10F.
I let it idle for 20 seconds or so and then drove it gently.
Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
Originally Posted By: Fsharp
If the coolant temp drops from 200 to 165 degrees while driving in ambient air that's 47F I would be concerned about the thermostat. Coolant temp shouldn't drop much beneath the temperature it opens at which I'm assuming is at least 195 F.
Are you saying you think the thermostat is stuck open, or closed ?
Yeah, its hanging open. Even below freezing my car will maintain at least 188F while driving 60mph+. I regularly replace termostats for behavior like yours.
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I drive my car to warm it up. 47 is not cold for a car. I have short distances to go to store also, i dont like idling it for too long..if anything i drive a bit further after grabbing groceries to warm it up but I dont always do it as I take it on hwy runs enough. Heats up a ton faster driving it than letting it idle..im not too concerned with fuel dilution.. and its dropping to -2 F tomorrow.
What are we considering long? A minute or two or until the idle rpm drops?
Does an engine warm faster with the heater set to cold and fan to off or with the heater set to hot and the fan on?
@Shannow: Are you saying that warming the engine unnecessary? Just curious...
...Thanks in advance!
Does an engine warm faster with the heater set to cold and fan to off or with the heater set to hot and the fan on?
@Shannow: Are you saying that warming the engine unnecessary? Just curious...
...Thanks in advance!
I wish our winters were 47 F ROFL...hearing you guys talking bout warming up your cars in California
Originally Posted By: Shannow
Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
I think it's good for the engine
Thinking it doesn't make it so, at least not in real life.
I used to warm it up in the winter as well, until I read the manual, and the manufacturer recommended against doing this, it's a waste of gas to let it idle to warm it up, driving the vehicle is much quicker.
Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
I think it's good for the engine
Thinking it doesn't make it so, at least not in real life.
I used to warm it up in the winter as well, until I read the manual, and the manufacturer recommended against doing this, it's a waste of gas to let it idle to warm it up, driving the vehicle is much quicker.
Put in new thermostat.
i have a k20 6 speed MT and i usually warm up my engine before i drive.. car jerks a lot when its super cold...
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