Revving the engine when it first starts up, healthy or not?

[idNut]

Okay, I'm not that stupid but my brother is. He has a really nice 91' Z28 Camaro and doesn't seem to believe anyone that when you rev the car when it first starts up, you run a risk of blowing the engine. He gets so made because when he does it, thick black smoke comes out of it. My dad and me both tell him "DON'T REV THE ENGINE WHEN IT FIRST STARTS UP! THERE ISN'T ANY LUBRICATION ON ANY OF THE METAL!" but he thinks we're stupid and just making up. Can you reinforce me with this? He needs to hear it from someone other than me and my dad.

 

[vi edit]

I offer no technical advice, but I try not to run an engine at high RPM's until it's reached the proper running temperature. By this, I mean, I don't rev the engine, I don't accelerate hard, and I shift at low RPMs if driving a manual transmission, until the engine is properly warmed up.

Using this method, I've never had serious engine problems. As always though, YMMV.

 

[notfred]

it only takes about 5 seconds to get the motor oiled. Watch the oil pressure guage next time you start the car.

 

[idNut]

I've heard the opposite. I heard someone revved their engine once when it just started up and the crank went through the block! No idea on how that could have happened though.

 

[Pepsi90919]

GOD NO

 

[Tominator]

Revving the motor without proper lubrication is idiotic. It takes a couple of seconds for the oil pressure to build. Although I doubt he would immediately 'blow' the motor it will cause premature wear.

You are right and he is wrong.

 

[The Stigenator]

The idea of waiting to warm up before driving comes from teh old days when cars were not reliable. However the fact remains that you stilll need to warm up the car before going to the higher rpm's. Normally 10 seconds to get teh shafts lubed. But after that you cant raise rpm beyound what's normal cruising.. once the engine has warmed up nicely then you can do that.

If your blowing black smoke you have a worn valve guide or burn valves or it could be due to pre ignition - check the pluags for that.

I have to also say dont rev when the car is cold. I dont do it while on the bike. When I first start it I dont let it rev more than 3-4K (my red line is 11K), if it touches 5K by accident you can feel the engine is struggling.. when cold.. however when warm 5K is nothing.

the problem is that most new cars and stuff are lean burn (for CA) meaning there is more air than fuel. This can cause problems when you rev high when engine is cold.

Lastly Ihave to say, dont be foolish.. you atleast got a car..... I lost my car all of a sudden. While my symptoms were not there and I had no clue that it was coming (other than a fuel smell in my oil), the point is cherish your car not destroy it..

 

[woodie1]

Originally posted by: notfred
it only takes about 5 seconds to get the motor oiled. Watch the oil pressure guage next time you start the car.

Besides not getting oil, when cold the parts do not "FIT" together properly either.

 

[Kadarin]

Originally posted by: notfred
it only takes about 5 seconds to get the motor oiled. Watch the oil pressure guage next time you start the car.

Of course, the oil pressure gauge will measure oil pressure at the sensor, but remember that things like rocker arms, etc., are lubricated via oil splash. Secondly, oil is thicker when cold, and doesn't flow as well, so it may have too much viscosity to travel everywhere it needs to (i.e. between valve lifter and cam on non-roller engines). So yes, you may have oil pressure, but it's still never a good idea.

 

[ShotgunSteven]

Not healthy, especially up here in Alaska when it is below zero, temperature-wise.

 

[B00ne]

Thats the worst u can do to the engine. Just like u and ur dad said, no oil is at the lubrication points yet. I also believe it will take more than five seconds for the oil to be there especially on those huge american engines, but even if it is there after 5seconds it is still bad because neither the oil nor the engine parts are on temperature and that will take a while. So until ur engine is hot u should neither accelerate madly nor should u rev the gears rather shift at low to moderate rpm. Once it is hot u can go for it . But what do u need to rev the engine for when u are not even driving just for fun to produce some more CO2 because we dont have enough in the air yet or what - maybe u should teach your brother also on environmental wareness. Because when u start up the engine the catalyst is also not working yet and u not only produce unnessacary CO2 but u also pump out the toxins like cars without catalyst did

 

[bernse]

Originally posted by: Astaroth33
Of course, the oil pressure gauge will measure oil pressure at the sensor, but remember that things like rocker arms, etc., are lubricated via oil splash. Secondly, oil is thicker when cold, and doesn't flow as well, so it may have too much viscosity to travel everywhere it needs to (i.e. between valve lifter and cam on non-roller engines). So yes, you may have oil pressure, but it's still never a good idea.

Bingo.

 

[vi edit]

I just cringe when I see somebody climb in their car in the morning, fire it up, and tear ass out of the parking lot. I just can't think of that being good on the car.

 

[StattlichPassat]

Originally posted by: idNut
Okay, I'm not that stupid but my brother is. He has a really nice 91' Z28 Camaro and doesn't seem to believe anyone that when you rev the car when it first starts up, you run a risk of blowing the engine. He gets so made because when he does it, thick black smoke comes out of it. My dad and me both tell him "DON'T REV THE ENGINE WHEN IT FIRST STARTS UP! THERE ISN'T ANY LUBRICATION ON ANY OF THE METAL!" but he thinks we're stupid and just making up. Can you reinforce me with this? He needs to hear it from someone other than me and my dad.

With all respect and love as a family member, he sounds like your typical ignorant, young Camaro driver. Let him have fun ruining his engine and then paying to rebuild it or an engine swap or another car. It won't be long.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Everyone's hit the reasons why your brother is wrong and you and your father are right, I just want to add another point. It's also bad to shut off the ignition with the engine above idle (for example, revving the engine and shutting off the key at a couple thousand RPM) because this will clog your catalytic converter due to the vast increase of improperly burned hydrocarbons coming out the exaust. If you don't have a catalytic converter it still increases the chances of backfiring and "dieseling", though "dieseling" is really not a problem in a car with FI.

To re-iterate what has already been said, never run your engine hard until you have proper operating temperature. Mention to your brother that BMW and Lexus (IIRC) have systems now that prevent the engine from being revved beyond about 60% throttle before operating temperature is reached. You can floor the pedal all you want but the engine management chip will keep the engine from revving when it's cold.

ZV

 

[amnesiac]

Dude just let him screw up his car. When his engine fails and he goes broke fixing it you can laugh at him.
Then punch him in the nuts.

 

[vi edit]

To re-iterate what has already been said, never run your engine hard until you have proper operating temperature. Mention to your brother that BMW and Lexus (IIRC) have systems now that prevent the engine from being revved beyond about 60% throttle before operating temperature is reached. You can floor the pedal all you want but the engine management chip will keep the engine from revving when it's cold.

That's kind of cool...both literally and figuratively speaking

 

[ObiDon]

My stock ignition system delays firing for a few seconds during starting to run some oil through first. I still don't over-rev until it warms up though.

I had a friend who would speed around in his new CRX while it was still cold. They sold a buttload of those. Where are they all now?

 

[idNut]

Thanks guys, a few good laughs and NightFlyerGTI is right, a typical Camaro owner is my brother.

 

[tcsenter]

My God your brother must be the idiot who used to get into his Camaro at 5:30am every morning in my apartment complex, start the engine and immediately push the accelerator to 3000RPM and leave it there for 2 consecutive minutes...all with a failing or non-existant muffler...before leaving for work. God I wanted to strangle that SOB a dozen times after being startled nearly out of my bed. It was like someone starting a Harley in your kitchen.

 

[Mister T]

I forget which, maybe both, but the M3 and M5's tach light up as the engine gets to temperature making higher RPM's available...
Sounds like a waste of money for BMW if they though nothing of it

 

[BillGates]

You mean there is a mulleted camaro driver who doesn't understand basic mechanics? Crazy - I thought that was the only thing that species could do.

 

[BillGates]

Originally posted by: billgates380
You mean there is a mulleted camaro driver who doesn't understand basic mechanics? Crazy - I thought that was the only thing that species could do.

My bad, the only things mulleted camaro drivers are good at is boozin', whorin', spittin', and swearin'.




I regret the inconvenience and confusion.

 

[CocaCola5]

If you rev while in neutral/park its also not good(cold or hot), without a load piston speeds are MUCH higher than it should be thus more wear.

 

[woodie1]

Originally posted by: CocaCola5
If you rev while in neutral/park its also not good(cold or hot), without a load piston speeds are MUCH higher than it should be thus more wear.

HUH?!?!?!