Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms Warming an engine before driving

In another thread I have read the comment that engines should not be left to idle and warm up before driving but that does not make sense to me. In my mind driving a cold engine with the associated higher revs and low oil temperature, oil pressure will cause more wear not less, a greater chance of friction. How much damage (additional wear) can be done to an engine by starting up and reversing out of the garage and leaving it idling why you go shut the garage door and gates when compared with driving up the road without the idling (warming up) period? If a Ford Mondeo with the same engine type were to do the same I suspect we might not think twice about it so why is it different in a Morgan? With a modern engine using modern materials and modern oils is there any difference, back in the olden days it might have been a consideration but in today’s world?
Thinking about it, back in the day, we would routinely warm up a Merlin on idle before letting the beast out to make sure everything was working as advertised and in particular that oil pressure and temperature were correct, I’m sure it was a real taboo to open the throttle on a cold engine.

I always let the engine warm for a short period before driving off. It is true that modern oils are much less prone to allowing engine wear when cold but to me it does not make any sense to place stress on a cold engine.

Evening Jeff.

'Henrietta' goes out in all weathers (bar snow) at all times of the day. The only thing I do ensure is that the oil pressure has registered 1 bar or more (normally 5 - 7 seconds) before moving her out of the garage, closing door (maybe 45 seconds), then on my way.

I don't take her above 3000 revs for several minutes, but that's normally because I am either a) trying not to wake the village (03.00-07.00 trips) or b) I am leaving Temple Meads in the centre of Bristol and there's no opportunity til leaving Whitchurch.

Cheers

The handbook for a Ducati that I had a while ago had the line; "Never start a cold engine"
Never did find out how I was supposed to warm the engine up without starting it...

Blowlamp to the cylinder head?

Didn't you keep the bike in the lounge?

The truth of this may never be known. I believe that the expert view is to drive off straight away, but to prove the science would take too long and not be wide enough in scope. By the time I've shuffled out of the garage and closed the door, then backed up the drive things are warming up nicely anyway.
My Metro Turbo had a terrible flatspot when cold (manual choke), so I always warmed it up for five minutes before driving off, but at fast idle, not tickover, with no ill effects.
The Coventry Climax portable firepump engines were designed to be started from cold and survive at maximum revs from cold, but had generous clearances in the bores, and used oil.

In the old days the oil was thicker and the pumps less effective as a result it was wise to run it (I would better describe this as "without loading it") for a short time prior to driving off to get some circulation. This was from a person who worked for Cosworth in the DFV days. in addition some pumps are less effective at tickover than when a few revs are applied without loading the engine.

As has been said it is less demanding with modern engines (rise time to temperature and thermal management being dramatically better) and oils from my experience.

I tend to try and let it idle for a few moments, then hold it at low revs 1000 for a moment or two to let the pump pressure increase and drive a little more flow. Following this I drive gently for a few miles to let it cycle up a little across the engine.

At least I used to do this until I got a car with the dual sidepipes as this is so loud I now try and clear the drive as quickly and quietly as humanly possible so we don't get shot. Damn it's noisy but I love it.

Interesting subject, and my opinion is that with modern "standard" engines using decent quality oils, the engine requires only minimal warming.
However as petrol heads we all have mechanical sympathy, and (unless it's a hire car ) I just couldn't bear to thrash an engine from cold.

Since I got a sports exhaust for my 4 Seater I have the opposite problem - can't resist announcing my departure to the neighbours. Serves them right for moaning about my son playing football

Hence I do tend to let it warm a minute or so on the drive first...

Richard