Old wives tales or not ???
Discussion
As I have previously confessed I know very little about the mechanics of a car. So I have a couple of questions that hopefully some technically minded people can shed some light on.
1) I always dip the clutch when I start the car. I vaguely remember reading somewhere that this is not a good thing to do. Which is correct and why?
2) Just before turning the engine off some people blip the throttle does this do any good or harm?
(apart from being able to hear the engine sound for just one last time)
1) I always dip the clutch when I start the car. I vaguely remember reading somewhere that this is not a good thing to do. Which is correct and why?
2) Just before turning the engine off some people blip the throttle does this do any good or harm?
(apart from being able to hear the engine sound for just one last time)
Starting with the clutch depressed is a good idea, I do it all the time. It removes the drag of the gearbox, giving the starter an easier time, and also means that if the car is still in gear when started, you don't ram something.
I don't think blipping actually does any good, but I'm not sure whether its harmful with modern engines. Theoretically, engines prefer to work under load.
7.
I don't think blipping actually does any good, but I'm not sure whether its harmful with modern engines. Theoretically, engines prefer to work under load.
7.
7 is exactly right about always starting the car with the clutch pedal down.
It was always good advice to never blip the throttle just before switching off. On cars with carburettors it leaves unburnt fuel in the cylinders which, over time, will accelerate wear in them. However, on modern day cars with electronic fuel injectors this shouldn't be a problem.
It was always good advice to never blip the throttle just before switching off. On cars with carburettors it leaves unburnt fuel in the cylinders which, over time, will accelerate wear in them. However, on modern day cars with electronic fuel injectors this shouldn't be a problem.
Just to give an alternative view to point number 1.I was strongly advised,upon the renewal of my bottom end bearings,not to press the clutch pedal when starting.With slivers of bearing in hand,my mechanic explained how much pressure your putting on the faces of the thrust bearing by holding the clutch down.Then your spinning the crank at a fair old rate,and all this is happening whilst all the oil is still in your sump,ie bearings are near dry.Never held the clutch down whilst starting scince!
I think Mike is talking about the thrust washer at the front of the crankshaft, which is what ultimately stops you pushng the crankshaft out the front of the engine when you press the clutch pedal down.
Even if the engine hasn't been run for a few months the thrust washer should still have an oil film, it shouldn't suffer any significant damage from starting the engine with the clutch down.
Even if the engine hasn't been run for a few months the thrust washer should still have an oil film, it shouldn't suffer any significant damage from starting the engine with the clutch down.
GreenV8S said:
I think Mike is talking about the thrust washer at the front of the crankshaft, which is what ultimately stops you pushng the crankshaft out the front of the engine when you press the clutch pedal down.
Even if the engine hasn't been run for a few months the thrust washer should still have an oil film, it shouldn't suffer any significant damage from starting the engine with the clutch down.
Absolutely, took the words out of my mouth. (but.., just for the pedants.., on the RV8 it's the centre main bearing (top) that has the thrust bearings integral with the shell)
GreenV8S said:
on the RV8 it's the centre main bearing (top) that has the thrust bearings integral with the shell
Got a picture of that? I'm having trouble visualizing it.
The centre main bearing shell has the crankshaft thrust bearings formed as flanges on the shell. Correcting myself tho' it is both halves of the shell, not just the upper. Haven't got a pic to send but any RV8 manual shows this.
OK so if I understood the comments correctly.
1)The general concensus is that it doesn't do any harm if I depress the clutch whilst starting and it obviously acts as an extra precaution in case the car has beeen left it in gear.
2) Blipping the throtle before turning the ignition off on the Chim is neither good nor bad (apart from one last chance to hear the sound)
1)The general concensus is that it doesn't do any harm if I depress the clutch whilst starting and it obviously acts as an extra precaution in case the car has beeen left it in gear.
2) Blipping the throtle before turning the ignition off on the Chim is neither good nor bad (apart from one last chance to hear the sound)
Well I have always pressed the clutch pedal in, when starting, and never worn a clutch out yet, in 35 years driving.......
However, I did once start a three cylinder Yamaha 750 in a pub carpark, which was in first gear, and forgot to pull the clutch lever in, the bike lurched forward, and knocked a table over, spilling an old couples drinks all over the floor.......
...
Hence why most large capacity modern bikes won't start UNLESS you pull the clutch lever in......
However, I did once start a three cylinder Yamaha 750 in a pub carpark, which was in first gear, and forgot to pull the clutch lever in, the bike lurched forward, and knocked a table over, spilling an old couples drinks all over the floor.......
... Hence why most large capacity modern bikes won't start UNLESS you pull the clutch lever in......
Wacky Racer said:
However, I did once start a three cylinder Yamaha 750 in a pub carpark, which was in first gear, and forgot to pull the clutch lever in, the bike lurched forward, and knocked a table over, spilling an old couples drinks all over the floor.......
A classic! Of course I wouldn't have laughed if it'd been my cider.
Chrylser Neons won't start unless the clutch is depressed, I'm guessing it's because Americans are far more used to Autos though...
I remember when a mate took my old S3c home, he left it in gear and as I wanted to warm it up I just leant in to start it up, it shot off across the drive. Luckily my reaction was to jump in sideways, knock it out of gear and grab the handbrake, luckily just stopping it centimetres from the fence!
I remember when a mate took my old S3c home, he left it in gear and as I wanted to warm it up I just leant in to start it up, it shot off across the drive. Luckily my reaction was to jump in sideways, knock it out of gear and grab the handbrake, luckily just stopping it centimetres from the fence!
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