taylorslandy72
Active Member
So true, its just that initial start up. Does make me wonder if there's anything that can be added
Extreedoc
Well-Known Member
Thought about it myself but the cost...!! In very cold countries like Canada and Scandinavia they also have internal sump heaters too. Never had this problem before and I remember 1963. What's more is my Landy was in a very well built garage, no drafts and double glazed windows. It starts but you begin to think it won't, really struggles to turn over, then, all of a sudden, it spins and bursts into life. Once it's going, no more worries for that day.
if it is inside then it might be better to do the sump heater suggestion.
I have thought about the coolant heaters most winters mainly because we tend to defrost the cars by warming them up before setting off which does use a lot of petrol and you have to keep watch so no one drives them away
but when the weather warms up I can't be bothered with the hassle of installing one
I have thought about the coolant heaters most winters mainly because we tend to defrost the cars by warming them up before setting off which does use a lot of petrol and you have to keep watch so no one drives them away
but when the weather warms up I can't be bothered with the hassle of installing one
Extreedoc
Well-Known Member
They're a bit like diff lockers - great to have when you really need them but that isn't very often. Having said that: starting up a warm engine cuts down on wear by a huge percentage, couple that with one of those pre-oilers that pushes oil around your engine before you start it and you are on your way to a million mile engine.
Land Raver
Well-Known Member
I suspect using a slightly thinner oil in the winter months might help. 20w/50 is probably quite thick at -5
Turboman
Mab An Gov
Really a waste of time in British conditions. A Series, well set up, and with a good battery, will start well year round down to -10 or below.
If you are worried about it, go to 10w40 oil in the winter months. I never did, and never had any problems.
Mr S1
Well-Known Member
My car battery is fine, but the Defender one is sitting beside me as I type in my office ! Fully charged, warm so ready to go when needed !
my reason for coolant heaters isn't for starting, mine all do easily - at the moment - but I have portable jump starters and chargers with a boost/start option and could jump from one of the other cars etc.
it is simply to set off with a warm interior and have the screen and windows defrost quickly instead of having up to 3 cars on the street and drive with their engines running so that softies like myself the doris etc can get into a warm car
we had a cheeky copper round here at one time that would drive your car round the corner then wait till you noticed it wasn't there and give you a dressing down for leaving it with the engine running in the street
Turboman
Mab An Gov
my reason for coolant heaters isn't for starting, mine all do easily - at the moment - but I have portable jump starters and chargers with a boost/start option and could jump from one of the other cars etc.
it is simply to start with a warm engine and have the screen and windows defrost quickly instead of having up to 3 cars on the street and drive with their engines running so that softies like myself the doris etc can get into a warm car
we had a cheeky copper round here at one time that would drive your car round the corner then wait till you noticed it wasn't there and give you a dressing down
3 minutes running doesn't burn a lot of fuel.
You can use the time to top up washer bottle, etc.
Put a sheet of foam over the windscreen last thing at night to prevent frosting.
Never take your jumper off in winter in a Series.
Extreedoc
Well-Known Member
Our good friend Big Sandy over on LRUK lives in the far north of Scotland and he always takes his battery indoors at night. I would do the same during this cold snap except for the fact that I have two batteries fitted and it's a faff to get them out from where they are situated. Talk about oil: I have a 200 engine in mine and it's running 15w 40. The thing is though: is this a problem with the batteries not liking the cold or is it the oil being thick? Probably a bit of both. Anyway, it's thawing now...
Mr S1
Well-Known Member
I ALWAYS let an engine run when starting from cold no matter what time of year - car, bike or Defender. Summer at least two minutes, winter often a fair bit more. Should always get all oilways and components fully lubricated before putting any engine under any load I was always taught.
Mr S1
Well-Known Member
Oil will be fine mate, just takes longer to thin down as takes longer to get warm. As I say above, should ALWAYS let it run before putting under any load no matter what time of year.
Turboman
Mab An Gov
It is a good idea on older vehicles.
Shouldn't make any difference on modern cars, they are designed to drive straight away, and the ultra thin synth oils get round quickly.
Extreedoc
Well-Known Member
I always do, always have. Does it irritate you when you see someone start their car and drive straight away? And that dick Mike Brewer on the telly, revving an engine a couple of times from cold and then stopping the thing? Let the damn thing have a while to clear its throat at least you stupid idiot...
Turboman
Mab An Gov
Very stupid thing to do, especially on a turbocharged engine.
Extreedoc
Well-Known Member
What can you expect from a car salesman? They are the groupies of the motor trade but nobody in the band wants to f*** them.