restart after winter hibernation

[exvette]

Back in the olden days, I would always crank over the engine after winter storage without starting it. It was easy - just pull the single coil lead from the distributor. Today --- no single coil lead, no distributor. How do you prevent the engine from starting when cranking?

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[Swtbabybilly]

Could pull the fuel pump relay

 

[2015 Silver GT]

Just start it. Don’t overthink it.

 

[robvas]

You can hold the gas pedal down for flood mode

but you're still turning the engine over so what is that accomplishing?

you also can't prime the engine that way because of the style of oil pump it uses

it's not like the old days where you could stick a drill down the distributor shaft hold and then get oil flowing without turning the engine itself...

 

[GL95]

Could pull the fuel pump relay

Still going to run until fuel is out of the lines

 

[exvette]

Just always thought that the oil drains from top to bottom when not started for a long time. Concerned about OHC bearings, timing chains, crank bearings, etc. Guess it comes from eight blades for a radial engine. Afraid I am showing my age.

 

[ihasnostang]

why doesnt priming it work?

 

[Johnny maverick]

Just hold the throttle to the floor and it will crank without starting. I do it just for the sake of doing it. I always prime an engine that's been sitting for a few months. Is it doing anything to prolong engine life? Don't know but for the 15 seconds it takes to do, it can't hurt.

 

[exvette]

thanks

 

[Skye]

It's a topic of debate, similar to octane, oil brands and what the Coyote tick is.

The procedure is for starting a car if the engine has been flooded with fuel. It spins the engine, the injectors staying off. Oil pressure can build as a result.

I store my vehicle and do not pre-oil it when starting in the Spring. I just start it and go. Oil analysis continues to show all parameters at nominal readings.

A few moments after shutdown, any hot oil that can drain to the pan, will. The oil filter will not empty. The way my oil cooler is attached, it will not empty. While the vertical galleys will have nothing in them, there will be some oil left in the horizontal ones. The internal parts will continue to be coated.

I've left the oil recovered from my catch can in an open container for almost a year, just to see what would happen. Results? Nothing. Zero noticeable evaporation or change in appearance.

I do have a concern about potentially spinning and spinning an engine with low oil pressure. I don't have an answer for that. I prefer getting to the expected pressure as quickly as possible. For some, I've read posts it can take some time for any meaningful pressure to build.

In studying museums last year, processes were often different for pre-war vs. post-war cars. In pre-war vehicles, distributors were removed, a tool inserted and oil circulated beforehand. In post-war cars, virtually everyone just started the car.

Finally, consider the countless vehicles stored before, the process being unavailable or not used. Nothing related to engine or drivetrain damage trended out as a result. And all the oil changes done, no pre-oiling performed before start.

Neither process appears to be causing damage. And there are limits (how long can store before start. how long can spin with little pressure) to each procedure.

With so many people not pre-oiling and no noticeable effects in performance or drivetrain service life, I continue to start-and-go.

YMMV.

https://www.google.com/search?q=mus...HS2tE24QrQIoAnoECCcQAw&biw=1470&bih=747&dpr=2

Edit,

Earlier this month, I started my vehicle after it sat for four months. I watched the pressure guage while pressing the start button. Like, literally as the engine caught fire, pressure built. The meter was pegged in a second.

 

[robvas]

why doesnt priming it work?

Because the starter doesn't spin the pump fast enough

you're also still turning the engine over..."priming" doesn't actually turn the engine it just pushes oil

 

[robvas]

Just always thought that the oil drains from top to bottom when not started for a long time. Concerned about OHC bearings, timing chains, crank bearings, etc. Guess it comes from eight blades for a radial engine. Afraid I am showing my age.

Your engine won't be "dry". The oil sticks to everything. Even after sitting for a year or two. The only time you would need to prime the engine is the very first time it's started after being assembled

 

[Knacht]

Just always thought that the oil drains from top to bottom when not started for a long time. Concerned about OHC bearings, timing chains, crank bearings, etc. Guess it comes from eight blades for a radial engine. Afraid I am showing my age.

That's 11 blades..

 

[Cobra Jet]

If the vehicle has been sitting for a few months, like say 3-5 there’s no concern with just jumping in, starting it, and driving away.

If the vehicle has been sitting for longer than a year or many YEARS, yes then you would want to take all of the necessary precautions to prime the oil system or shoot oil (like Marvel Mystery oil) down the cylinders to let it soak before cranking the engine over. The other concern for a vehicle that has sat YEARS would be to drain the fuel system, change the fuel filter (if equipped), check any rubber fuel hoses, check coolant condition and hoses, as well as check condition of brake fluid and associated rubber hoses.

In your situation, dust the S550 off and go for a drive; that’s all you need to do.

 

[Mikepol2]

Started mine yesterday for the first time in over three months and it just fired right up with barely any hesitation. I don’t think that is as much of a concern as it was 30 years ago.

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