Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 1,017 Threads: 53
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Location: The delightful town of Knaresborough, North Yorkshire
We hear that most wear in the bores takes place when the engine is cold, or not up to full running temperature. So, what is best to do over the winter if we don't use the seven so much?
Ten minutes running each fortnight means the engine is wearing out all the time, as it never gets hot. But 30 minutes running each fortnight must cause just as much wear, plus a bit.
Is 30 minutes running once a month better?
Logically 30 minutes running at two month intervals is even less wear?
Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 3,389 Threads: 105
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Location: Darkest Bedfordshire
I would suggest don't start it unless you plan to drive it somewhere.
Joined: May 2018 Posts: 2,104 Threads: 110
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Location: Llandrindod Wells
Car type: 29 Special, 30 RK, 28 C Cab
Hi Andrew
I agree with Chris. If you worry too much about engine wear you would probably never use your car.
In any case the majority of Seven owners will never wear an engine out in the time they own the car. (Yes I know there are exceptions I said the majority)
Cheers
Howard
Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 1,532 Threads: 60
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If you insist on not using a car in winter then turn the engine over every couple of weeks (on starter or by hand) with the plugs out to keep everything moving. A bit of oil down the plug hole and do it again. Replace the plugs.
By far the best strategy is just to keep driving it regularly.
C
Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 2,748 Threads: 31
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Location: Auckland, NZ
With the oils to the 1950s engines were very prone to cold running bore and ring wear. Wear virtually ceases at full temp. Many old studies showed wear in 1st few miles exceeded a hundred or more following. Not so critical with modern oils (maybe not classic). Neverthelss modern cars with near no wear despite enormous working pressures go to great lengths to acheive fast warm up and hot operation. With Sevens condensation is esp undesirable as corrdes the roller bearings.
Starts just to move the car a few feet should be avoided. The fan belt can be removed and the radiator blanked for short stationary runs.
i suspect a thermostat would have more influence on cyl wear than all the exotic modern oils now often passed through the cars.
Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 313 Threads: 9
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Location: TINOPAI NZ
HI Andrew,
You could fit an inline heater in the bottom hose and with a thermostat in the top hose to regulate temp.
they just plug in to 230 volts ,
they used to be very common on older cars in cold climates
Colin
NZ
Joined: Aug 2017 Posts: 984 Threads: 6
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Location: Scottish Borders
Our solution to this is:
1) The car is in everyday use all year round.
2) There is a Renault 5 thermostat fitted in the top hose. Speeds warm up. On frosty mornings thermo-syphon will never warm up
3) Using 5-30 fully synthetic oil
Jim