Warming up your car in the winter

StimpE

StimpE

lol, Internet!
Ok so I found out that on 86 or newer vehicles, you're only supposed to let it warm up for about a minute(fuel injected vehicles).

If there's any gearheads here, would there be any reason to have it warm up longer if one of the oil seals is leaking in the engine? Sorry I don't have the specifics, I don't remember what the mechanic said.
 
Well actually, the whole point of fuel injection is so you DONT have to warm them up!
But if the oil seals are leaking, then you should let it warm up a little bit longer so the engine can build up oil pressure, otherwise your probably gonna be chuggin' along till it gets warm!
 
I was just told on CarForums.net this:
"I doubt letting the engine warm up is something you should worry about."
What you think pelvis? o.O
 
StimpE said:
I was just told on CarForums.net this:
"I doubt letting the engine warm up is something you should worry about."
What you think pelvis? o.O
Click to expand...
After reading your Thread at carforums, i agree with them 100%. We know computers and they know cars. But what i told you was from my uncle who is a ex mechanic!
The mechanic either didn't explain things clear enough or he's yanking your chain!
If the car runs well and there is no visible leaks, then don't worry about warming it up. But like i said, fuel injected cars don't need warming up anyway, thats how they were designed.
 
Ya man, my thoughts exactly. I'm taking it to a different mechanic to get another opinion on the engine.
 
Car nut here. A car needs to warm up a little before you go balls out on it, but technically all you need is proper oil PSI. The real danger of letting a car idle all the time is the buildup of carbon in the combustion chambers, as well as the fact that that any car with a catalyitc converter will get clogged quicker due to buildups as it sits there. Letting a car idle too long all the time will cause the cats to die prematurely and create more carbon buildup inside the engine. So, get the car moving quickly and don't let it sit, and just drive it easy until it's getting somewhat warmed up....
 
aj1966 said:
Car nut here. A car needs to warm up a little before you go balls out on it, but technically all you need is proper oil PSI. The real danger of letting a car idle all the time is the buildup of carbon in the combustion chambers, as well as the fact that that any car with a catalyitc converter will get clogged quicker due to buildups as it sits there. Letting a car idle too long all the time will cause the cats to die prematurely and create more carbon buildup inside the engine. So, get the car moving quickly and don't let it sit, and just drive it easy until it's getting somewhat warmed up....
Click to expand...

My oil psi is usually really high according to my guage immidiately after I start it. I usually let it warm up for about 60 seconds or so first though. Thanks for the info.
 
It is good to warm up your car in places like Alaska or Utah, but most people use external heaters rather than run the car. Maybe he was talking about cold climates?
 
it is also bad to let them idle for long periods because in some cases the cam shaft doesnt get the oil it needs because of low idle RPMs inducing low oil pressure as was already mentioned.
 
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