Warming car up

Discussion in 'Random Thoughts' started by Pressed_Rat, Mar 8, 2014.

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  1. MeAgain

    MeAgain Dazed & Confused Lifetime Supporter Super Moderator

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    Well, as the gap increases in your spark plug, due to the old distributor system, it takes more energy to jump the gap, coupled with less output from a weak battery, which gets worse when the temperature drops, would give you less energy to excite the coil and thus energy to jump the gap. Also the fuel is harder to vaporize when cold, all leading to the need for a stronger spark. So I should have said weaker and stronger spark instead of the slang hotter and colder.

    The plugs also last longer because of the consistent stronger spark that electronic ignition provides. This helps to more completely burn the fuel and stop unburned fuel from accumulating and causing misfires. And points wear which changes the dwell and throws off the timing leading to more unburned fuel accumulating.

    Any plug in an electronic ignition system will last longer than an old distributor system. IMO

    You're right about the oil, it takes my Miata about a minute just to pump oil up to the cams in warm weather.
     
    MeAgain, Mar 8, 2014
    #21
  3. eggsprog

    eggsprog anti gang marriage HipForums Supporter

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    I'm going to go up to random people this summer at the beaches here and ask them if they're BBAD.
     
    eggsprog, Mar 8, 2014
    #22
  5. SpacemanSpiff

    SpacemanSpiff Visitor


    on those oldies as soon as you let go of that key in start position your coil is powered through a ballast resistor ..youre only getting batt voltage on start...everything is reduced when running
     
    SpacemanSpiff, Mar 8, 2014
    #23
  7. M2D

    M2D Member

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    My mechanic has told me its just as good to let it sit about 30sec-1min then drive it slowly for a couple min, then you should be good to go... the engine gets much hotter from slowly driving than it does from just idling.
     
    M2D, Mar 8, 2014
    #24
  9. SpacemanSpiff

    SpacemanSpiff Visitor


    the slow drive also helps the diff oil and steering fluid slowly come up to working viscosity
     
    SpacemanSpiff, Mar 8, 2014
    #25
  11. M2D

    M2D Member

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    my car is only 2 years old and weve had a cold ass winter, lately when i start it in the garage the exhaust smell lingers way longer than it ever has before, you think I might have a crack or something going on in the pipe?
     
    M2D, Mar 8, 2014
    #26
  13. SpacemanSpiff

    SpacemanSpiff Visitor

    a crack or leak wouldnt change the smell

    pull it outside to warm it up..dont run it in a garage youll kill yourself
     
    SpacemanSpiff, Mar 8, 2014
    #27
  15. *Yogi*

    *Yogi* Resident Racist

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    I have worked on vehicles my whole life as my family owned dealerships. I also build rock crawlers and have owned a sprint car team as I was the one with motors.

    Best bet is to let it run for a minute to warm up the fluids. With a manual, Some wont go into gear until its warm.
    My grandfather never let a car warm up, Ever. He drove for more than 80 years doing so in a ford non the less. Never had a problem.
    I personally, Let it warm up until the temp gage bumps off of dead cold, But it burns even more gas than winter blend does. Took me from 20 to 17ish this year and i run 90+ ethanol free gas, Its pure shit.

    Hope this helps, Just my opinion, They all vary
     
    *Yogi*, Mar 8, 2014
    #28
  17. *Yogi*

    *Yogi* Resident Racist

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    You are lucky you are not dead. Have you had headaches this year by chance too? If attached it filters into the house too, Id back it out to save some lives just to be safe.
     
    *Yogi*, Mar 8, 2014
    #29
  19. Jo King

    Jo King wannabe

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    I warm mine up for a few minutes but I live in the northwest and it doesn't get that cold here so I wait tell the temp is 80 or 90* (I have a digital temp gauge)
    This winter when it got down to 17*F and I went to start my van it said the water temp was 21* I just can't see jumping in and driving off at that temp.
     
    Jo King, Mar 8, 2014
    #30
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