Re: Wierd Cold Weather Engine Problem
Sounds like a possibility but I'd think freezing water in the passage between the nozzle & pump may have worked the nozzle a little looser.
This should be a reminder to all of us to check the discharge tube occasionally 'cuz it is a real pain in the a$$ when it ends up a partially eaten lunch and gets trapped under an exhaust valve 275 miles from home.
Last edited by DrDarby (2007-02-08 14:37:48)
-Darby
Re: Wierd Cold Weather Engine Problem
My cold weather problem has been "oil spraying out around the front pulley", as posted earlier. Finally, after problem repeated a few times, I've had to disconnect the tube from the oil filler to air cleaner, and run an "open" system - I adapted a plumbing elbow to the top of the filler so it has a 1 1/4" opening to breath out of - works good. Will go back to closed system when it warms up. The hose kept freezing up and would plug solid with that white jelly.
Re: Wierd Cold Weather Engine Problem
Ed, what year is your car, do you have a thermostat, how cold is it and what weight oil are you using ?
Last edited by DrDarby (2007-02-09 07:27:54)
-Darby
Re: Wierd Cold Weather Engine Problem
Darby: You are probably right in that the water freezing probably caused some "heaving". Anyway, definitely something to watch out for until global warming really takes hold!
Clancy
Re: Wierd Cold Weather Engine Problem
It's a '74 super beetle, Doc. I'm one of those "bad boys" who runs without a thermostat. Totally naked - no louvers or anything. I do realize the folly of my ways, though, from previous postings on this forum - and next time I pull the engine for anything at all, I'm going to get all that stuff out of the barn and install it. - - - I think, anyway - still have nightmares about stuck thermostats or louvers. Last two weeks here in Massachusetts have had mornings in the single digits. I'm now running the thinnest oil I've ever run in a beetle - 5W-30 (just for this severe cold weather) . I drive 100 miles round trip to work on the interstates at 60 mph. I throw in a couple of bottles of dry gas now and then. Learned to do that from my father when I was growing up in Maine, and driving a Model A Ford to high school.
You know, I actually have pretty good heat inside during this cold weather. My riding partner even took his mittens off this am.
Good heat exchangers + good heater channels = good heat
Re: Wierd Cold Weather Engine Problem
Ok you are doing what I'd suggest. My old 71 was terrible with spitting oil when it was below 10 degrees and I resorted to 1/2 qt of Dexron ATF mixed with the 5W30 oil for about 100 miles. It cleans all the sluge out of the tower & baffles.
-Darby
Re: Wierd Cold Weather Engine Problem
For what it's worth, there's a gas additive on the market called Iso-Heet (http://www.goldeagle.com/heet/faqs_heet … &ID=90) that helps prevent water in gasoline from freezing. Though I normally don't condone additives, I've used this product in the past with great success to prevent carb icing and "bad gas" issues in cold weather.
Cheers,
-David