Damaging an engine - pub argument
Discussion
Having a drink or two with a few mates (note - cars tucked up in garages!) and a small debate broke out as to what would constitute "damage" (or premature wear) to an engine. We were a bit torn between revving an engine from cold - I was under the mindset that modern engines would be able to handle a moderately hard drive from cold, although any petrolhead worth their salt wouldn't actually inflict it on their car. One of my buddies was convinced that a couple of hard drives from cold would cause pistons and rods to fly all over the shop. While we all have enough mechanical sympathy not to try it for real, which one of us is speaking sense?
Other things we see people do on a regular basis that can't be good for an engine/accessories are holding the clutch on the bite at a hill, particularly if throttle is applied, and soemthing we've seen a somewhat sudden surge in - pulling away in first while the car's still reversing. All manners of knocks and clanks can be heard sometimes yet we're convinced more and more people are doing it.
I personally also have mixed feelings about loading the engine when cold - running the air con, heated seats, sound system, and all manner of electrics must put a fair amount of stress on cold components. As an engineer I'd love it if there were a practical solution of pre-heating an engine so when I get into it it's warmed up slightly at its own pace rather than being forced to - short of buying an F1 car I can't see a way of doing so!
Apologies if I make no sense/have rambled a bit. In an attempt to go to bed early I've drunk somewhat more than I probably should have by this time.
Other things we see people do on a regular basis that can't be good for an engine/accessories are holding the clutch on the bite at a hill, particularly if throttle is applied, and soemthing we've seen a somewhat sudden surge in - pulling away in first while the car's still reversing. All manners of knocks and clanks can be heard sometimes yet we're convinced more and more people are doing it.
I personally also have mixed feelings about loading the engine when cold - running the air con, heated seats, sound system, and all manner of electrics must put a fair amount of stress on cold components. As an engineer I'd love it if there were a practical solution of pre-heating an engine so when I get into it it's warmed up slightly at its own pace rather than being forced to - short of buying an F1 car I can't see a way of doing so!
Apologies if I make no sense/have rambled a bit. In an attempt to go to bed early I've drunk somewhat more than I probably should have by this time.
1. Wear is minimal on a cold engine, (provided it has oil in it) even then wear would be very low, due to residual film and oil pressure comes up quite quickly.- I think it is suggested that in modern cars you don't hang around before driving off. - You also find the metal-to-metal wear is usually low on the list of items that cause engine failure.
2. Pre-heaters exist already to heat the engine. But the weather in the UK tends to negate this additional requirement (as do garages).
3. Engineers already factor in typical temperature ranges and design components/materials accordingly.
2. Pre-heaters exist already to heat the engine. But the weather in the UK tends to negate this additional requirement (as do garages).
3. Engineers already factor in typical temperature ranges and design components/materials accordingly.
mat777 said:
And how does this differ from a hill start where the cars rolls backwards a bit?
It doesn't, both are pretty bad driving habits to have. Isn't really an issue though, don't know anyone who still rolls back on hills after passing their driving test...Anyway, that said I'd imagine either are only really bad for clutch wear, can't really think how the engine would be affected unless you actually dumped the clutch whilst rolling backwards; surely with normal clutch control the clutch would take the brunt and dampen out the speed difference and the engine would be unaffected (RE the OP's question)
Edited by Gooly on Wednesday 26th September 00:01
sebhaque said:
I'd love it if there were a practical solution of pre-heating an engine so when I get into it it's warmed up slightly at its own pace rather than being forced to - short of buying an F1 car I can't see a way of doing so!
Stick a fan heater under your engine in winter with a time-switch so it comes on 15 minutes before you go out in the morning. 
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