How bad is a quick start and stop for the car?
Discussion
Depends on the car.
Some (Nissan Micra's, X308 Jaguars, RX8's, lots actually) really don't like being moved short distances like that and you will effectively flood the engine to the point where it may not start again without whatever special start procedure is needed (foot to the floor in a Jaguar to stop the fuel pump for 10 seconds of cranking then go as normal, repeat until it starts). I have heard that turning it off while the engine is at 2000rpm or so stops that.
On cars with a manual choke I always push the choke in (keeping it going with the throttle if I need to) before I kill the ignition.
Some (Nissan Micra's, X308 Jaguars, RX8's, lots actually) really don't like being moved short distances like that and you will effectively flood the engine to the point where it may not start again without whatever special start procedure is needed (foot to the floor in a Jaguar to stop the fuel pump for 10 seconds of cranking then go as normal, repeat until it starts). I have heard that turning it off while the engine is at 2000rpm or so stops that.
On cars with a manual choke I always push the choke in (keeping it going with the throttle if I need to) before I kill the ignition.
Assuming the car is actually used through the week and driving in and out of the garage isn't all it does, it's not doing any harm at all. In fact, a short start stop is better than leaving it to idle for 5 minutes, taking it for a 20 minute drive, driving it coast to coast or whatever else people are going to suggest!
iva cosworth said:
Didn't know how to word it better but my car "chugs" a bit when stone cold
but clears after a bit so would not turn it off whilst still "chugging"
Just let it run for a little to get it off "full choke "
If the 'chugging' is bad for it, surely the sooner you switch it off the better? Why would you let it 'chug' for longer than you had to?but clears after a bit so would not turn it off whilst still "chugging"
Just let it run for a little to get it off "full choke "
iva cosworth said:
Didn't know how to word it better but my car "chugs" a bit when stone cold
but clears after a bit so would not turn it off whilst still "chugging"
Just let it run for a little to get it off "full choke "
I don't understand why you think it's bad to turn it off why still "chugging"? What exactly do you think it's going to do to the engine? but clears after a bit so would not turn it off whilst still "chugging"
Just let it run for a little to get it off "full choke "
k all damage.
varsas said:
Depends on the car.
Some (Nissan Micra's, X308 Jaguars, RX8's, lots actually) really don't like being moved short distances like that and you will effectively flood the engine to the point where it may not start again without whatever special start procedure is needed (foot to the floor in a Jaguar to stop the fuel pump for 10 seconds of cranking then go as normal, repeat until it starts). I have heard that turning it off while the engine is at 2000rpm or so stops that.
On cars with a manual choke I always push the choke in (keeping it going with the throttle if I need to) before I kill the ignition.
This!Some (Nissan Micra's, X308 Jaguars, RX8's, lots actually) really don't like being moved short distances like that and you will effectively flood the engine to the point where it may not start again without whatever special start procedure is needed (foot to the floor in a Jaguar to stop the fuel pump for 10 seconds of cranking then go as normal, repeat until it starts). I have heard that turning it off while the engine is at 2000rpm or so stops that.
On cars with a manual choke I always push the choke in (keeping it going with the throttle if I need to) before I kill the ignition.
Jaguar had tonnes of S types bought to them on low loaders after this very thing, good dealers would start them up there with the 10secs of full throttle to stop the pump and crank it over, rinse repeat etc!
Tha majority of cars will be fine but there's no 100% answer that applies to all cars, try it and see if it works. You wont harm the car in anyway by doing it, it might flood but that's not the end of the world.
versus said:
To wash my car, I have to start it to take it out of the garage and back it up about 20 feet into the driveway where I then turn it off (whole process is about 15 seconds). I plan on doing this weekly.
Is it ok to do this or really bad? I can't roll the car out unfortunately.
Most cars will survive this easily. However, if you do it in some 6-cylinder BMWs you'll find the next time you try to move the car the engine will flood and it won't start.Is it ok to do this or really bad? I can't roll the car out unfortunately.
Many owners have discovered this the hard way...
motco said:
There is acid condensation evolved from the combustion and this would normally be evaporated off by engine heat. After a brief start it sits in the bores and builds up in the oil causing etching of metal surfaces. So they say....
The fact your oil is alkaline, neutralises the acidic compounds as part of the combustion process - see if you can find your oil's TBN figure, and compare to others.That's a big part of what gives oil its longevity.
Water vapour (condensation) is what is evaporated as the engine temp rises to its designed optimum - but you're not talking litres per minute of the stuff!
iva cosworth said:
Petrol bore washing is not good.
^^^^ This is part of the BMW problem. Flooded engine washes the oil from the bores. As a result the piston can't deliver the usual level of compression which makes the already flooded engine even harder to start. It's kept the AA and RAC busy for years! Ozzie Osmond said:
iva cosworth said:
Petrol bore washing is not good.
^^^^ This is part of the BMW problem. Flooded engine washes the oil from the bores. As a result the piston can't deliver the usual level of compression which makes the already flooded engine even harder to start. It's kept the AA and RAC busy for years! Even though it can't be helped sometimes, I try not to make a habit of it, it's never caused any damage though.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff