How cold is safe?
Discussion
One of the engineers in the office was reading a long range weather forcast that predicts -18C for Christmas Day. Just a thought- at what temperature does it become inadvisable to run a TVR.
I am thinking about the engine as I imagine at -18C oil must be like treacle and the cold will shrink all the important bits leading to higher wear rates( well it does mine anyway) Same applies to any other components I guess.
I am thinking about the engine as I imagine at -18C oil must be like treacle and the cold will shrink all the important bits leading to higher wear rates( well it does mine anyway) Same applies to any other components I guess.
Keep your P&J in a heated garage and dont leave until hte engine has warmed up to temperature.
Having said that, think about the temperature gradient between the combustion gasses in the cylinder and the coolant only a few mm away. That sort of thing far exceeds anything Jack Frost can throw at you. When I was doing military design work, -32oC ie 0F as the standard temperature to get worried about things, even then it was purely a heater for the oil and the battery (in order that the chemical reaction be quick enough to give enough juice to start, oh and AVTUR not diesel!
Regards
Iain
Having said that, think about the temperature gradient between the combustion gasses in the cylinder and the coolant only a few mm away. That sort of thing far exceeds anything Jack Frost can throw at you. When I was doing military design work, -32oC ie 0F as the standard temperature to get worried about things, even then it was purely a heater for the oil and the battery (in order that the chemical reaction be quick enough to give enough juice to start, oh and AVTUR not diesel!
Regards
Iain
chassis 33 said:
Keep your P&J in a heated garage and dont leave until hte engine has warmed up to temperature.
Having said that, think about the temperature gradient between the combustion gasses in the cylinder and the coolant only a few mm away. That sort of thing far exceeds anything Jack Frost can throw at you. When I was doing military design work, -32oC ie 0F as the standard temperature to get worried about things, even then it was purely a heater for the oil and the battery (in order that the chemical reaction be quick enough to give enough juice to start, oh and AVTUR not diesel!
Regards
Iain
I'd love to have a heated garage! I'm curious to know how many people do have a heated garage? I used to when I lived in flat but not that I live in a house it's just a bog standard garage....
lundinoir said:
Keep your P&J in a heated garage and dont leave until hte engine has warmed up to temperature.
Having said that, think about the temperature gradient between the combustion gasses in the cylinder and the coolant only a few mm away. That sort of thing far exceeds anything Jack Frost can throw at you. When I was doing military design work, -32oC ie 0F as the standard temperature to get worried about things, even then it was purely a heater for the oil and the battery (in order that the chemical reaction be quick enough to give enough juice to start, oh and AVTUR not diesel!
Regards
Iain
I'd love to have a heated garage! I'm curious to know how many people do have a heated garage? I used to when I lived in flat but not that I live in a house it's just a bog standard garage....
Erm, yes think heated garage would be luxury, I have a freezing cold lockup, still better than nothing. Every time I start the Cerb in this weather, in the garage, the ice detector sensor is lit up for the first minute or so its so flipping cold in there!
sideways mostly said:
One of the engineers in the office was reading a long range weather forcast that predicts -18C for Christmas Day.
Where's that, the North Pole
I love these long range forecasts, they can't get it right reliably for the next couple of days, so how the f
uck they think they can accurately predict the weather a month in the future amazes me 
I have a heated garage! It keeps itself at 4c if I forget to set anything so it can never freeze. When I know I am going out in the car I normally crank it up to about 10-15c for a few hours. It really helps with the oil temp.
Sad I know but, hey I rebuilt my garage specially for the TVR!
Sad I know but, hey I rebuilt my garage specially for the TVR!
They've been saying we're in for the mother of all winters for about 5 years now 
Every year the same - 'Harsh winter ahead - Global Warming don't ya know!'
After mild winter - 'Ah, well - Global Warming don't ya know!!!'
Ye gods - Devon's just had 3 WHOLE INCHES and it ground to a halt - power cuts and the Army having to be called out FFS!!
How do other countries cope?!?!?!
Every year the same - 'Harsh winter ahead - Global Warming don't ya know!'
After mild winter - 'Ah, well - Global Warming don't ya know!!!'
Ye gods - Devon's just had 3 WHOLE INCHES and it ground to a halt - power cuts and the Army having to be called out FFS!!
How do other countries cope?!?!?!
I have seen many posts now regarding warming up before driving. What concerns me and seems to be neglected is its all very well having a nice hot COOLANT reading, but as those with any mechanical knowledge will know that does not mean your oil is warm. What abour gearbox and diff as well. For those who think that letting your P&J warm at tickover to running temp then think it is ok to nail it first road you get to, please think twice. Coolant hot, everythinh else not.( Including tyres and brakes more importantly in this weather.).... Another note of interest. Normal tyres drastically reduce in performance when the road temp gets to 5C or under.... The effect is the same as between a dry summer road and a wet summer road on grip levels.It doesnt need to be icey to be less grippy..... Drive with trestraint and enjoy the winter. That way we will all get to see next spring.Be carefull out there guys. Steve.
Seconded! let the whole car warm up by driving it. I tend to drive the first few miles very carefully, and don't rev the engine above 3000RPM until I think that everything is warm. If it gets down to -18 then your car needs to be driven very carefully indeed. I'm now off the check the level of anti-freeze in the coolant!
Heated garage-bloody hell they are being pamperred!My poor little T350 sits out in the street at night freezing its nuts off.
I get loads of warnings when its below zero -oil temp and water temp and frost warning.Oil pressure is affected as well-either it sticks at 4psi or 130 psi depending on how it catches.Barnet have some new ones in now so thats being sorted.The engine seems to ignore all the beeping and runs just fine.
>> Edited by sideways mostly on Wednesday 30th November 12:25
I get loads of warnings when its below zero -oil temp and water temp and frost warning.Oil pressure is affected as well-either it sticks at 4psi or 130 psi depending on how it catches.Barnet have some new ones in now so thats being sorted.The engine seems to ignore all the beeping and runs just fine.
>> Edited by sideways mostly on Wednesday 30th November 12:25
Hi Guys,
Sadly if i heated my garage it would cost about a million quid due to err 'interesting' insulation.
I cant speak about the AJP engines but my philosopy with my RV8 chim is to keep the engine oil topped up, check the coolant is at a good mix and use the car regularly so a nice coating of oil is over everything.
And regardless of weather ensure the car is at normal operating temperature before giving it any stick.
Some may disagree but i think we can get a bit OTT about not using our cars during certain weather / climate and i think NON-USE is worse than a bit of cold.
cheers,
Nick
Sadly if i heated my garage it would cost about a million quid due to err 'interesting' insulation.
I cant speak about the AJP engines but my philosopy with my RV8 chim is to keep the engine oil topped up, check the coolant is at a good mix and use the car regularly so a nice coating of oil is over everything.
And regardless of weather ensure the car is at normal operating temperature before giving it any stick.
Some may disagree but i think we can get a bit OTT about not using our cars during certain weather / climate and i think NON-USE is worse than a bit of cold.
cheers,
Nick
jonnyb said:
Seconded! let the whole car warm up by driving it. I tend to drive the first few miles very carefully, and don't rev the engine above 3000RPM until I think that everything is warm. If it gets down to -18 then your car needs to be driven very carefully indeed. I'm now off the check the level of anti-freeze in the coolant!
This is exactly the same advice I had from our dealer. Although I don't actually go above 2,500 until the oil reaches 50 degrees.
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