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Old 12-27-2017, 10:08 AM   #1
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engine warm up

hi all
we are in freezing temperatures right now
debate as to warming engine at dock
lehman 120 diesel
have heard recommendation to just turn her on for 30 seconds to get oil up into engine I am not so convinced
any thoughts
thanks and happy new year
keith
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Old 12-27-2017, 10:31 AM   #2
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Edit to reflect understanding that this is a dock situation:

If you just idle at the dock to warm the engine up it may take forever at low ambient temps. And all the while you are sending unburned fuel out the exhaust and probably adding carbon to the valves, rings and exhaust manifold.

But, I believe it is not necessary to start your engine in the winter. Tens of thousands sit on the hard each winter and never start.

If you want to do it and there are some possible benefits- driving condensate from the oil, turning over the engine and putting a new oil film on the bearings, then warm it up completely at the dock with the boat tied down tight and a little load on it. It will take a fraction of the time as at idle.

I just took my grandkids snow sledding to a hill a mile or so away from our house. When we got there the heater hadn't kicked on so I let it idle for 20-30 minutes hoping to warm me up but it never came on. Within a minute of putting it in gear to go home it kicked on. Same thing.

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Old 12-27-2017, 10:36 AM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Keithmilton View Post
hi all
we are in freezing temperatures right now
debate as to warming engine at dock
lehman 120 diesel
have heard recommendation to just turn her on for 30 seconds to get oil up into engine I am not so convinced
any thoughts
thanks and happy new year
keith
Many threads in the past have dealt with this issue. A search will turn up some surprises.
Many think getting the oil up is beneficial. Many others believe that the harm done to your engine by that cold scraping of piston rings against dry cylinders is worse than any possible benefit, and can only be mitigated by a period of hard running that allows the oil to reach full hot operating temperature for long enough to evaporate out any moisture.

I have always tried to run my engines to full hot if I ever have to start them in the winter. My protocol now that I winter far from my boat is to start them only when I return in 5 months and not worry about it in the interim. So far that is working well for me.

Of course your situation will be different.
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Old 12-27-2017, 10:38 AM   #4
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Don't try to warm them without a load. Let them sit until spring.
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Old 12-27-2017, 10:52 AM   #5
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I am with change change engine position and coat with fresh oil at least once a month.

If you can run long enough under load to hot oil, better, but usually not practical.

If you cant deep store to manufacturer specs a turn over, without start to full oil pressure isnt bad either.
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Old 12-27-2017, 11:00 AM   #6
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I am in the "leave it alone" camp.
However, in reality I don't believe it makes much difference.
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Old 12-27-2017, 11:03 AM   #7
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Lots written here and at boatdiesel.com on this topic. I'm of the opinion that if the boat stays in its slip for the winter, leave the engines cold and don't start them till spring.
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Old 12-27-2017, 12:29 PM   #8
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depending on how long your winter is....

and whether you "winterize" that includes fogging cylinders or equivalent....

the one time I didnt turn over my engine every month, the iron in my oil samples went way up .... possibly signifying rust in the cylinders.
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Old 12-27-2017, 12:43 PM   #9
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This old chestnut is as bad as discussing anchors or stern thrusters. If you can’t be bothered to read the reams of blather about this topic in the search function, go have a nice rum or go for a walk until the urge to write some anecdotal nonsense about your defining moments in boating goes away. Happy New Year!
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Old 12-27-2017, 01:01 PM   #10
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Ours sit from October til at least March. No problems yet.
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Old 12-27-2017, 01:31 PM   #11
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This old chestnut is as bad as discussing anchors or stern thrusters. If you can’t be bothered to read the reams of blather about this topic in the search function, go have a nice rum or go for a walk until the urge to write some anecdotal nonsense about your defining moments in boating goes away. Happy New Year!
warm welcome.

The problem is, while this has been discussed quite a bit, the Search feature isn't quite as awesome as we'd like to think.

I just searched "engine warm up", "warm up" and "idle". I didn't manage to catch any discussions which appeared to be related. Maybe the titles were misleading. It's easy to criticize someone. Can you easily provide links of similar discussions? Improved search criteria to return hits within the scope of the query?
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Old 12-27-2017, 01:48 PM   #12
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Most engine wear occurs at startup. Very cold oil doesn't lube well unless it's a blend usually including 5w oil. Using a block or pan heater before starting helps.
In cold weather my pickup, using high pressure motor oil activated injectors, won't run right until idling for about 10 minutes unless the block heater is used.
Starting a cold engine several times over winter probably causes more wear than a seasons use.
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Old 12-27-2017, 02:32 PM   #13
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My Mitsubishi S4L2 warms up to 180 degrees f. In less that 5 minutes.
That’s just the coolant but it sends heat throught the engine w the exception of the crankshaft.
I’m not in the run straight away camp. I think as long as you run for an hour or so at 50% load or more idling for 5 or so minutes prior won’t hurt anything. Many disagree w that but it’s kinda like straight 30W or 15W40. Either is just fine.

With a bigger engine that won’t pop open the thermostat open at an idle I’d warm up at 12-1400rpm under load. As said above.

And often overlooked is the warmup AFTER the 0-5 min start. I leave the dock/float at 1400 that would equate to 1200rpm on a bigger engine and I run for 20 to 30 minutes like that. Then 1800 for 10 -15 min and only then go to cruise of 2300rpm. So at times I spend a bit over 45 minutes getting to cruise rpm/load. That may be overkill but I think it’s good. But it wouldn’t be overkill for a bigger engine. My Mitsu is rated at 37hp.

People that sell engines including manufacturers probably find it a better/safer bet to tell customers to set out immediately that to make it more complicated and having customers idling for long periods (15 min) or more. It’s natural for the human mind to slip into the “if somes good mores better” groove.
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Old 12-27-2017, 02:56 PM   #14
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................ The problem is, while this has been discussed quite a bit, the Search feature isn't quite as awesome as we'd like to think. .........
The real problem is, half the people say to run it and half say not to. By the time you get done searching and reading, you won't know any more than you know now.
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Old 12-27-2017, 02:58 PM   #15
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I'm fine without running the engine for 7 months. Have been doing it for 15+ years on my charter boat with no ill effects. Oil analysis seems to confirm this. All 3 of my diesel propulsion engines have block heaters. So frigid winter starts would be no problem with a 3 hour preheat.

Ted
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Old 12-27-2017, 04:05 PM   #16
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The real problem is, half the people say to run it and half say not to. By the time you get done searching and reading, you won't know any more than you know now.
boatman,
Where are you?
West coast or east?
Washington .... state or DC?
They really should ask what state or province IMO.


Ted,
Do you ever fog?
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Old 12-27-2017, 04:19 PM   #17
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Ted,
Do you ever fog?
No.

Ted
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Old 12-27-2017, 05:10 PM   #18
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Let sleeping dogs lay. No need to poke it during hibernation unless needed.
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Old 12-27-2017, 05:27 PM   #19
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I am totally lost - what are you guys talking about?
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Old 12-27-2017, 05:45 PM   #20
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I keep mine at rest for month in our harsh winter. In spring it started like I never stopped it. Hopefully will stay the same for next 30 years

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