Reading the hard cold conditions, I remember that cars used to get a cover
for the front to block the wind out either partly or completely, keeping the
engine warmer, the heater more efficient, the thermostat to open, etc.
Some guys just put a piece of cardboard there for the cold days.
Zoltan
----- Original Message -----
From: "Jean-Pierre Le Cruguel" <lecruguel@EPID.JGH.MCGILL.CA>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Friday, January 16, 2004 11:07 AM
Subject: Re: just how COLD is it where u are..

> It's still feel cold, but it seems better than yesterday. aorund -20C
> today. Was around -30C yesterday in Montreal.
> Felt like -40 to -45C with the wind.
>
> Regarding cold start, from what I know:
> at those temp, if you can, do not take your car/van if you don't have too.
> Cold starts are hard on the engine, cold driving also hurt the whole
> drivetrain. as the grease is often seazed.
> Do not take you car if it's less for than a 30 minutes drive. that's the
> worst thing.
> In the first 20 minutes or so, vapor accumulate everywhere in the
> engine. it disapears once the engine is warm enough.
> that will take at least 20 minutes. sometimes more in extreme cold.
> it will result in rust.
>
> I drove from Montreal to Quebec last weekend to see a west. it was in
> the -45C range easy!
> 5h Drive both ways. My 92 passat syncro engine temp gauge never went
> past the 75C line (it starts at 70 and go past 110C. it is normally in
> the 95C for such conditions. My alternator fried on the way back (do not
> think it's related. but the Quebec AAA equivalent had a record day that
> day).
> Things that were going to break will in such conditions. I would not
> drive a 20 years old van such as a west in a day like that.
>
> regarding the time at idle. a couple of minutes. no more. the rpm is to
> slow to warm the engine and the oil.
> So what you do is running the engine badly lubricated if any.  Remote
> starter are pretty bad. They are supposed to have 2 minutes limits. But
> they often have 5 minutes or so. sometimes more.
> the key is a very slow drive. if you can.  depending where you live. I
> agree is 's not always possible. But it better to drive around for a
> while rather than running it at idle and than on the freeway.
> it helps to slowly warm all the parts all together with decent regime.
> Also do not use the vent for heating in the first minutes. it can not do
> anything and take heat away from engine.
> Remove the snow from the air intake. otherwise you will only get humid
> air. do not use the recycle air thing. you do not need you humidity
> concentrating.
>
> This applies to gas engines. Diesel engines need even more precautions.
>
> JP