Warm it up?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
From: new albany mississippi
Warm it up?
Awrighty, flaunting my ignorance again, but should I let my '92 LT1 warm up to operating temp before I drive it, or just let it percolate a couple minutes and drive it gently up to temp?
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
Likes: 7
From: sw Ohio
I will start it up, drive it, and try to keep the rpms below 2000 until I see coolant temps hit 200 and/or oil temp gauge gets a reading (150). Obviously starting it up cold and hitting WOT could cause oil starvation in vital areas of the engine leading to a spun bearing, blown head gasket, or damage to the valvetrain.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,139
Likes: 482
From: H-Town Texas
I will let it idle until the coolant temp hits 100. Not so much for the warming effect, just to allow time for the oil to get where it needs to go. On cold days I will wait until the oil gets to 60-70.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 519
Likes: 2
From: South River N.J.
I've been warming up my cars and bikes for years. Never had any problems and got lots of miles form all my motors. Feels nice in the winter getting into a warm car. I figuer it this way, I don't get up in the morning and start pumping iron until I wakeup, streach and do a few warm up sets.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,139
Likes: 482
From: H-Town Texas
I've been warming up my cars and bikes for years. Never had any problems and got lots of miles form all my motors. Feels nice in the winter getting into a warm car. I figuer it this way, I don't get up in the morning and start pumping iron until I wakeup, streach and do a few warm up sets.
In the winter, when temps are below freezing, you must remeber that the oil is thick. Also the metal is more brittle. If you get on a cold engine in freezing temps, something is going to snap.