Jay Laifman wrote:
>
> My question is why? I have always wondered why people do this. Why
> bother just starting a car. I know it brings joy to hear the engine start
> up. But, I thought that the greatest damage to a car was during
> start-up (wasn't that the gig of one of the oil companies selling some
> "new" oil). So, if all your car has, over months or years, is to be
> started from time to time, it seems the resulting wear and tear would
> outweigh any benefit from circulating the oil. I confess no expertise on
> this, only further questions.
>
> Jay Laifman
> Pircher, Nichols & Meeks
> Los Angeles
Jay :
As one who has engaged in this dubious practice for many years, the
theory I understand is this:
1) A sitting engine, particularly in a climate with wide temperature
ranges, will generate condensation in cylinders and crankcase.
2) This condensation will combine with oil impurities to form acid
compounds which attack metal surfaces and seals.
3) Starting the engine and running to operating temperature periodically
evaporates the H20 and prevents acids from concentrating
4)Periodic coolant circulation keeps coolant from separating and jelling
or attacking seals and surfaces.
I'll let you know if any of this is true after I take my engine apart
after ten years of periodic starts!
Ron Tebo - Series I - B9000627
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