Wear and tear on startup

[snakyjake]

It has been said that most engine wear occurs during startup/warmup.

I have a truck I drive infrequently (driven one day per week). I'm wondering if the oil is dripping off the engine parts with a 0w or 5w oil enough to cause extra wear, and perhaps a 15w would hold on longer?

I've read through 100's of articles and I haven't read anything definitive regarding startup protection.

Are there any affordable devices, oil, additives, oil filter, block heater that can increase startup protection?

Thanks,

Jake

 

[Quest]

Originally Posted By: snakyjake

I've read through 100's of articles and I haven't read anything definitive regarding startup protection.



Almost 98% of the articles, readers/car enthusiasts and most mechanics postings on the internet are basically junk, esp. those that came from unreliable sources, postings from armchair scientists and shade-tree mechanics.

Truth to be told: if you follow your engine manufacturer's recommendation closely RE: proper viscosity (grade) and OCI intervals, unless your engine is one of those "oddballs" that were inherently faulty to begin with, otherwise, it will still lead a long, long and healthy service life meaning that most probably your trannie/suspension/chassis body shot before the engine hits the grave.

So, what's the point of worrying about startup wear? Don't you know that your engine can easily last 200,000miles+ even with proper basic care so long as the service is done right?


Q.

 

[carroll7645]

I too agree that start-up wear has little influence on overall engine life. Long term sitting such as 3 months or so, I feel could short life your engine by comparison to the frequent starter, but when started only every three months, It will last longer than the guy starting it.

 

[Boss302fan]

Use Schaeffer #132 Moly EP additive. Great product and I use it in new cars and also my classics. This will help you at start up as well or better then any other product on the market. I know a few Shelby guys that swear by this product. If they put it in their $250K cars its good enough for me. You can find it from a rep on this site or go to Ebay and buy it from the rep in Nevada. I buy it by the case.

 

[salesrep]

An oil with moly will help reduce start-up wear.

 

[dnewton3]

I'll have to agree that start up wear is some of the most significant, under certain conditions. Those of cold starts (oil not up to temp) are probably the worst.

However, I'll state that there is little one can do about this. What are you going to do; start it more often but only let it set for 5 minutes to shut it back off? That would circulate oil more often, but also dilute the oil with fuel more. It would also add to condesation in the crank. That's all a bad trade off.

Further, engines and lubes are so well constructed (as a generalzation) nowdays that these discussions are moot. Your engine is going to last a long, long time with just routine proper OEM maintenance as your guide. It's likely that you'll wreck, trade or have the vehicle rot, before the engine fails.

Of note, one thing that has aided in the design of newer engines is having the ADBV; this helps with quick pressure upon start. Also, the supply holes are typically not at the "bottom" (6 o'clock position) of the bearing. By moving the supply hole over just a tad, there is always some residual oil sitting in the bearing even after is has "drained back". These all add up to some measure of protection upon starts.

So, will infrequent cold starts add to wear? Yup. Will it matter over the projected life of your vehicle? Nope.

 

[pavelow]

Originally Posted By: snakyjake
It has been said that most engine wear occurs during startup/warmup.

I have a truck I drive infrequently (driven one day per week). I'm wondering if the oil is dripping off the engine parts with a 0w or 5w oil enough to cause extra wear, and perhaps a 15w would hold on longer?

I've read through 100's of articles and I haven't read anything definitive regarding startup protection.

Are there any affordable devices, oil, additives, oil filter, block heater that can increase startup protection?

Thanks,

Jake
Yes, an oil accumulator or pre-luber will prevent "dry" starts. IMHO, you don't need one. The best thing you can do for that engine is to drive it for a long time when you do drive it to get it up to and maintain operating temp to burn off condensation. Keep that thing running for at least 30 minutes. A little "jog" on the interstate for a few miles wouldn't hurt either. Considering the low usage, you should be changing that oil out sooner than you would if you drove it all the time as well.

 

[Bluestream]

"O God give me the strength to change the things I can and to accept things that I can't"

That's how I think about start-up wear.

FWTW, I had the oil pan off my Explorer for over two months this summer. I had 10W30 in it and it dripped out on the cardboard below for over two months, then stopped dripping. I think your fine to start it once per week..

 

[Steve S]

It is really not worrying about realistically if you don't drive the truck often then it won't wear out for a long time.

 

[HyperJinx]

I had some start up clatter in my wifes GTP using 5w30 syntec and 10w30 valvoline wb. Its went away with Maxlife so I will continue to use that. I believe that it does have a nice shot of moly in it if I am not mistaken.