Winter warm-up
Winter warm-up
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Discussion

jacjac

Original Poster:

137 posts

254 months

Friday 16th January 2009
quotequote all
During the winter months I try to start my Griff 500 every 10 to 14 days. If the weather is nice I go out for a half hour run and if it's not I'll just run the engine until warm - perhaps 20-25 minutes on tick-over untill the water temp comes up to it's normal 90 degrees.
In this months Sprint magazine there is an article on the speed 6 engine which states that: 'After starting up don't let your engine idle as this puts load on the cams and followers'.
I would be happy to be advised if this is something unique to the speed 6 engine or are all engines affected in this way?
Thanks

RichB

56,284 posts

314 months

Friday 16th January 2009
quotequote all
jacjac said:
During the winter months I ... run the engine until warm - perhaps 20-25 minutes on tick-over...
Personally I would not do that. The Rover V8 has been known for early cam lobe wear, on the Rover V8 the cam followers are designed to turn (rotate) in their housings in order to avoid then sitting in any one spot on the cam for any length of time but they only start turning at around 2,000 revs. Not saying it will but there is a possibility that long term idling does more harm than good.

Rich...

JonathanT

880 posts

314 months

Friday 16th January 2009
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I also understood that idling a Rover V8 also puts the highest load on the cams and followers.

clive f

7,259 posts

263 months

Friday 16th January 2009
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start her up and off you go, don`t let rip until she warms upyes

George 500

653 posts

248 months

Friday 16th January 2009
quotequote all
I seem to remember reading somewhere that at idle the oil pump doesn't generate enough pressure to properly lubricate the cam except in ideal conditions (ie when the car is nice and hot and the oil good and thin).

In other words if one leaves the car for a while the area round the cam will drain itself of oil and when you restart the pump won't actually properly replenish whats drained out.

Have to admit I'm not one for locking the car up in winter. I know they can rust but with a bit of waxoyl and as long as one gives it a good jetwash underneath every now and again you should get a large number of years before the inevitable bill arises

Pasco

6,652 posts

258 months

Friday 16th January 2009
quotequote all
I seem to recall that it needs to be running at around 1700 rpm before its lubricating everything properly yes

Just make sure you have a good battery conditioner on line and a lump of timber bracing from the seat runners depressing the clutch fully down and you will be fine smile

Should be ok for weeks so in other words if the weather is good do as Clive says and take it out for about half an hour.... if not don't bother.

HTH smile

RichB

56,284 posts

314 months

Friday 16th January 2009
quotequote all
Pasco said:
...a lump of timber bracing from the seat runners depressing the clutch fully down and you will be fine smile Should be ok for weeks
Do you know, Iwouldn't even worry about the clutch, it won't sieze in 6 weeks... or even a couple of months. Honestly.

Pasco

6,652 posts

258 months

Friday 16th January 2009
quotequote all
RichB said:
Pasco said:
...a lump of timber bracing from the seat runners depressing the clutch fully down and you will be fine smile Should be ok for weeks
Do you know, Iwouldn't even worry about the clutch, it won't sieze in 6 weeks... or even a couple of months. Honestly.
For what it takes buddy smile

I know what you mean though smile