Starting

[DJPT]

How long would you suggest I let my engine idle when I switch it on from being cold? It's a 2005 Volkswagen Polo 1.2 petrol with 3000 miles on the clock. I always drive carefully and slowly until the temperature guage reaches half way (according to the manual the engine is at its "optimum temperature" when it reaches half way).

Do I need to let it idle without revving it when I first switch it on to allow oil to reach all the areas of the engine that it needs to? What I'm worried about is damaging the engine when I've started it from cold because the oil hasn't fully reached all parts of the engine.

Thanks and season's greetings!
DJPT

>> Edited by DJPT on Thursday 22 December 21:52

>> Edited by DJPT on Thursday 22 December 21:54

[stevieturbo]

I'd be pretty sure the oil has reached anywhere important that it needs to within 2-3 seconds

Just continue driving they way you do, and it will be fine. And of course a good service schedule

[steve_d]

Just get in, start and drive off.
As Steve said the oil will be around in a few seconds.
Just don't use extreme revs or heavily load the engine for the first couple of miles.

Steve

[thong]

start it drive it,its a v/w polo you aint going to do any damage

[djpt]

thong said:

start it drive it,its a v/w polo you aint going to do any damage

Why's that? Are they really as "tough" as VW claim?

[stevieturbo]

djpt said:

thong said: start it drive it,its a v/w polo you aint going to do any damage Why's that? Are they really as "tough" as VW claim?

I think what he means, is that it is a totally bog standard car, with no power, that is designed for every day normal motoring.

Which includes being started in the morning, and driven to where-ever the car needs to take you. Fuss free, without you having to think about anything other than turning the key, pressing a few pedals, and pointing it where you want to go.

[annodomini2]

A cool down cycle is only really needed on highly strung na road/race engines and turbocharged petrol engined cars (diesels don't tend to get hot enough).

[HiRich]

stevieturbo said:

I'd be pretty sure the oil has reached anywhere important that it needs to within 2-3 seconds

I always remember a report about the Metro 6R4, that they had major engine problems. This was traced to the fact that it took just over a minute for oil to reach the cam galleries. Which was a problem when you added keen rally drivers to cars that had sat in a freezing parc ferme overnight...
Whilst most cars aren't going to be this bad, I remember my Delta HF turbo would take 15 secs for the oil to reach the turbo on really cold days.

So I always try to wait at least 30 secs on a stone cold motor, just to be sure. Then of course, you've got the same problem with the gearbox, so I tickle my way around for the first few seconds to be sure the surfaces at least have a coating of oil.

[stevieturbo]

HiRich said:

stevieturbo said: I'd be pretty sure the oil has reached anywhere important that it needs to within 2-3 seconds I always remember a report about the Metro 6R4, that they had major engine problems. This was traced to the fact that it took just over a minute for oil to reach the cam galleries. Which was a problem when you added keen rally drivers to cars that had sat in a freezing parc ferme overnight... Whilst most cars aren't going to be this bad, I remember my Delta HF turbo would take 15 secs for the oil to reach the turbo on really cold days. So I always try to wait at least 30 secs on a stone cold motor, just to be sure. Then of course, you've got the same problem with the gearbox, so I tickle my way around for the first few seconds to be sure the surfaces at least have a coating of oil.

Can you honestly compare a 1 of 200 built homologation special car, built ONLY so they could rally it ( and a nasty british company ), to a 1.2 Polo built in hundreds of thousands, designed for reliable every day motoring ??

Please.

[HiRich]

Err, the Lancia Delta was also "built in hundreds of thousands, designed for reliable every day motoring", admittedly by people who didn't understand the concept. And as an example from the other side, my neighbour's Audi TT, which he would drive away as soon as the engine started. Within two years it sounded like a bag of nails. By contrast my Delta was as sweet as the day I bought it.

Thrash it if you want, but a little TLC will go a long way. In fact, why not try it. Start your car after a really cold night. Don't switch on the radio, just listen to the engine. Pop the bonnet if you have to. You will hear the noises change as the oil gets up and around the head.