Afraid of what ? - that he/she won't start ? It 'should' . Electronic fuel injection with electronic ignition should make it fire up pretty easily, even instantly. If things are really right, it should start at the touch of the key, or almost. If you do start Mellow Yellow up...........drive it to a full warmed-up cycle, and drive, not sit and idle, drive in gear, under gentle load if possible, but to fully well warmed up. Really short trips and cold operation - vanagons don't like that, in very cold temps. btw, having the heater off for the first few minutes helps considerably in getting the engine up to temp.
In cold and difficult conditions, things suffer whether left sitting, or operated only intermittently. If it's not going to be really used and driven regularly, I think just letting it sit does slightly less damage than occasion operation. Say, sitting a month, then driving around for an hour, is less damaging than running it a few minutes a week, four weeks of a month. It's so rough on the poor things when it's as cold as where you are, starting her up - rod bearings, exhaust system, etc. Starting an engine is a mean thing to do to it. It's really important to get it under steady gentle load, and fully warmed up and driving. . Once warmed up.........no so much wear is occurring, but getting there, especially in very cold temps, that's rough on the poor engine. not as cold on this side of the Cascades from you. . Only 20ish, F. here. ( medford/ashland, OR ) Scott
----- Original Message ----- From: "Rocket J Squirrel" <camping.elliott@GMAIL.COM> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> Sent: Wednesday, December 09, 2009 4:21 PM Subject: Re: Okay, How Cold Is It? Vanagon Content
> I'm a-scairt to try starting Mellow Yellow after these several days of > below-freezing days and sub-zero (F) nights. > > -- > Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott > 84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana") > 74 Westrailia: (Ladybug Trailer company, San Juan Capistrano, Calif.) > Bend, OR > KG6RCR > > > On 12/9/2009 1:55 PM Mister Tom wrote: > >> 13 F in West Portland OR this A.M. My daughter spent the night and I >> warmed her '87 Westy up for her. The starter turned a little slow, but >> it fired right up. >> >> Haven't driven mine in this cold spell. I'm always happy my Syncro Westy >> rides so well, being heavier and having new suspension and nice tires. >> But when it gets this cold it rides about as quiet and comfortable as a >> WWII tank. >> >> Tom Salicos >> '87 Syncro Westy EG-33 >> >> >> > Okay, How Cold Is It? Vanagon Content |
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