I need a little help with what I think is Vapor Lock. I have a '69 with a BB engine. I start it weekly during the winter months. When I ran it today I only took the cover off the front of the car.

I ran it today for about 2 minutes. When I was putting the cover back on I realized that the back of the cover had the exhaust covered up. I quickly pulled it off and a ton of exhaust came rolling out.

I tried to start the car back up to clear it out and nothing. It was almost like the battery was dead. It wouldn't even crank. So my guess is that the exhaust turned to vapor in the chambers.

How badly did I screw myself? Or is this something that after sitting for a few hours, will fix itself. I would appreciate any feedback on what I need to do to fix the issue.

Thanks.

 

Let it sit for a couple of hours, try to start it; then report back.

 

Most likely the battery is dead or the terminals are corroded. Check the terninals and put a trickle charger on it over a 24 hour period to bring it back up.

A two minute run is not enough time to recharge the battery after a cold start.

Flimsy car cover won't cause trouble with exhaust at least not in two minutes.

 

Not a good idea - if you don't take it out and drive it at least ten miles to heat up the oil, don't bother to start it. Just leave it alone, keep the battery charged, and fire it up when spring comes. Starting and running it in the garage does more harm than good, and is unnecessary.

 

Nobody on the C3 forum know enuf about cars to answer your question so you come slumming over here?

Doug

 

John Z is absolutely correct. If you are not going to drive it, don't start it. I read somewhere that it takes at least 10 miles of driving to fully warm up all of the drivetrain to its correct operating temperature. You probably didn't do any harm to the engine by having the cover on the ends of the pipes......but, a potato in the pipe is a different subject!!

 

Yup on the brief runs.

Engine doesn't get hot enough to boil off the water byproduct of the combustion gases, so you end up with water in your combustion chambers, exhaust system and oil pan, all rusting away at your cylinder walls, exhaust, etc.

Doug

 

Also - a car cover over the exhaust pipes has nothing to do with an engine not cranking following the event.