Car Care: How long to warm up - Part II

[mikebw]

I didn't read the previous thread, but from what I understand the "best" thing to do for a normal gas engine with a modern exhaust system is to simply start it and start driving right away. What this does is gets the cataylitic converter to heat up as quickly as possible to the optimum operating temperature. When the cat is cold, the cataylist inside will not function, so the longer you let a cold engine idle the longer you are letting the untreated emmissions escape from the exhaust.

Now all that might just be for the environment, who really knows about what is best for the engine.

[M A V I C]

BigGuynRusty Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> You have to be kidding!
> Big hole in your "Plugged Converter Theory", the
> sound would come back as soon as the converter
> lights off.
> Most likely a little bit of piston rattle that
> goes away when it warms up.

No, it's definitely not piston rattle. The sound is more like a fan. When I start driving and it's going, the car sounds somewhat like a turbo-prop. And since the sound coincides with the lack of power, I'm guessing it has something to do with the turbo.

[macaroo]

Add some Lucas oil additive to your oil. It will prevent dry startup as it coats the engine parts in lubricate and prevents overnite drain down.