>Date: Thu, 19 Dec 1996 08:13:41
>To: car@texas.net (Carol)
>From: BRUCE PHILLIPS <mgb1964@cois.on.ca>
>Subject: Re: Texas winters and MGA's - no fun
>
>At 02:40 PM 12/18/96 -0600, you wrote:
>>This is a "love-hate" story, and I usually tend to get a bit windy,
>>so...continue reading at your very own risk!
>>
>>Setting:
>>
>>December 17, 1996
>>San Antonio, Texas
>>Time: 5:30 p.m. CST
>>Temp: 28 deg. F
>>Wind: 25 mph out of the north
>>Windchill: had to be at least -80F
>>MGA location: carport, opening facing north - no enclosure
>>Lighting: two propane Coleman lanterns
>>Available heat: one body (mine) and two propane Coleman lanterns
>>
> Carol, you had the solution with you all the time. Where I come
from (Canada) cold weather car starting is an art. Just two years ago I was
on a two week Snowmobile trip around Algonquin Park in Central Ontario where
temperatures hit -30 degrees celsius. On our return to base camp the cars
were frozen and would not start. No electricity to plug them in so you
improvise. We did have Coleman lanterns at that was the trick. You must
first stop the wind by blocking it with cardboard etc. You then light the
lantern and place it under the oil pan for about an hour. This warms the oil
and the car will turn over much faster and start much easier. On a TD or TC
you must block the louvers in the hood to not allow the heat to freely
escape. You indicated you had a car cover and that will do. We started all
our vehicles that day this way.
>
> By the way your oil at 20/50 will definitely cause the poor engine
turn over as it has turned to molasses at that temperature. The reason for
the smoke is all the unburned fuel in the cylinders as you tried to start
the car . Once started it had to go somewhere and it did , out the tailpipe.
>
> For those of you that do not have Coleman lanterns I also know a
trick using a propane torch but that's another story.
>
> MARRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL
>
> BRUCE
>>
>
>>
>
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