Cracking The Block

[Marcone]

How hard/easy is it to crack a block... or damage the engine in cold temperatures.

Basically i warm my car up so that the needle is just above the first big red marker before i drive it off when its cold here. Right now its -4 celsius.

Today on the other hand i did not. ran it for about 30 seconds and drove slowly to the local shop not going above 2k-2300 rpm.

after a sitdown chat with some one.... he asks to spin the tires... goes out and redlines 7krpm it for about 4-5 seconds... I never abuse cars like this... but he's an idiot.

could this have hurt the car? its acting fine etc.. there are no symptoms...just wondering

Marcone

P.s. its the 16v S2

[jkrustchinsky]

hard to say, im not a professional mechanic or anything, all i can say is thats why i never let anyone drive my car, i usually run my 944 na till she is at the first white tick, somtimes i dont though but im very gently. i seriously doubt you damaged anything though, these are well built motors, they dont go 250k+ cause theyre junk.

[Dantilla]

A one-time event like that is nothing to worry about.

Being hard on the car on a continual basis is what will kill it, over time.

[Marcone]

you dont think the freezing to quick heat could contribute to it ?

[flashgordon13]

I don't let the car warm up before driving. The fastest way to warm the engine is by driving. The oil will take forever to warm in an idling engine. I just keep my foot out of the throttle and keep the revs reasonable until I get some heat into the engine. I doubt there was any real harm in a one time thing like you say, but continued hard running with cold oil will create damage in the engine.

[924Sman]

Porsche recommends that you drive it immediately after start up, no warming up sitting. It will warm faster under driving than sitting. They suggest you drive at RPM's up to 3500 until warmed up then increase the R's..... Aluminum will not crack as fast under temperature as cast iron will. Cold thick oil is more of an issue on the rod bearings than the case so refrain from hi R's until the oil is fully heated(thinned out).

Dal

[Dantilla]

How long was your sitdown chat?

Oil stays warm for quite a while after the engine is shut down. It helped greatly that you ran the car earlier. Having somewhat warm oil will made a huge difference.

[Dave L]

The car was designed to be driven and the weather in Germany is similar to our own. I warm up my cars by driving them and try to keep the revs down until it warms up. If everyday immediately after start up, you were to bounce it off the rev limiter and do smoky burnouts I would expect problems. If you car is in good shape I wouldnt worry too much about it.

[Razorback1980]

I'm also in agreement with the other posts here. Overreving an engine shouldn't crack a block, it does damages in other places like floating valves or rod bearings not the block. I'm sure yours is fine.

[Marcone]

Cool.. thanks for the heads up.... i just was under the idea that quickly heating something up will make it crack

the temperatures here are quite cold. but its good to know that you can just start er up and go..

ill still let it warm up so it gradually warms tho. paranoia? maybe... but its bloody cold right now.. lol

[dangerous]

Originally Posted by 924Sman

Porsche recommends that you drive it immediately after start up, no warming up sitting. It will warm faster under driving than sitting. They suggest you drive at RPM's up to 3500 until warmed up then increase the R's..... Aluminum will not crack as fast under temperature as cast iron will. Cold thick oil is more of an issue on the rod bearings than the case so refrain from hi R's until the oil is fully heated(thinned out).

Dal

I agree, I wouldn't worry about your case....but 7K RPM is getting close to dangerous for rod bearings, especially if your oil is not at the right temp or is low.

next time you see him, punch him in the head....