Starting Procedure Improvement

[johnhenry 20]

Morning all

 

after reading a few things on a tvr forum, a really cool/well thought out mod presented itself and may be of use on 205's wanted to run it past yourselves.

 

A chap who makes something called a 'tornado chip' deliberately allows the engine to crank without spark to allow oil pressure to be already high/normal for start up to prevent damage during initial spark where oil pressure wont be fully up to pressure.

 

the only reason this though occurred to me was during reading the buyers guide I read about the injectors and ignition on the car being very good and unless it starts almost immediately then somethings not right.

 

So:

 

1st stage: starter motor cranking - brings up oil pressure

 

2nd stage: Fuel and ignition

OR

2nd stage: Fuel

3rd stage: Ignition

 

 

again this may be over engineering for the sake of it, I would consider pursuing if it even provided the smallest improvement in engine longevity. PS it will also mean I can act out a starting procedure, which appeals to my simple mind

 

cheers

John

[feb 47]

IMHO oil pressure and the procedure above would be a problem only after stripping an engine.

In Subarus some people disconnect the crank sensor and crank the engine over a few times after every oil change before connecting it again and starting it normally due to some engines failing "soon" after an oil change but I don't think the problem is the process followed in the oil change rather than a tired engine and coincides to happen a few hundred miles after an oil change hence people doing this.

I was paranoidly worried when the local dealer didn't do the above (as opposed to a specialist who did).

Sometimes we like to overcomplicate things (and I put myself in this category).

If it was absolutely necessary manufacturers would have already done it IMHO.

Read this for a laugh

http://bbs.scoobynet.com/showpost.php?p=4489337&postcount=1

Edited July 30, 2011 by feb

[Anthony 1,003]

It would be very easy to implement, the simplest way being an in-line switch on the power feed to the injectors. No power to the injectors, and it's never going to start because there will be no fuel being injected - no need to disable the ignition as well, as the spark plugs can't ignition an air-only mixture.

 

However, for day to day use I'd argue that it's completely unnecessary and that providing you've got a good quality oil and filter and the engine is in otherwise good health, the oil pressure light should go out immediately anyway, with the remaining oil film around the bearings and journals being sufficient to prevent damage on an unloaded engine.

 

After an engine rebuild it's certainly good practice to crank it over sufficiently to build up oil pressure, and usually I'll unplug the coil briefly to do the same after an oil change as it can take a few seconds otherwise to refill the oil filter and re-pressurise the system. But day to day? No need I'd say, and indeed, I'd imagine that it would very quickly grow old having to p**s around doing that every time.

 

Just start the engine as normal, and give it a few seconds for oil to circulate and oil pressure to build before driving off - that's plenty sufficient IMO.

[Tom Fenton 1,542]

If it was absolutely necessary manufacturers would have already done it IMHO.

 

^This.

 

Sounds like a massive fart about to me.

 

If you absolutely had to have it, it would be a very simple job to wire through a relay to achieve what you require. Makes me wonder if Mr TVR with his "chip" is pissing up their backs somewhat!

[petert 590]

More importantly, what about an element to heat the oil on those really cold mornings before you hit the starter?

[toodumbtosmile 1]

I think Jaguars (XJ12s etc) used to be engineered this way; vague memories that the USA customers were critical of this set up as they required their top end motors to fire immediately.

[Cameron 16]

I think the major problem is that it will just make passers-by think your car is crap and unreliable if it turns over for ages before firing up. The fact that you'd have to explain to people that the car is fine, you're just trying to squeeze an extra few miles out of the engine by cranking for oil pressure first is enough to kill it for me.

 

On my track car I have the starter on a button that works independently to the ignition, so I can crank for oil pressure after oil changes or if it's been standing for a few months. I never bother any other times as the oil pressure light goes out straight away anyway.

Edited July 31, 2011 by Cameron